help please with my peugeot 406 gtx

[leeby451]

ok i may seem abit silly here but ive just bought a loverly 406 gtx,but no matter how i scratch my head around this i just cant turn my cold and hot blower below 14? goto 30 ok and blows hot air out,but no matter what i just cant get it to go below setting 14?.i know that its got air-con but with the petrol prices now a days you just cant have it on,is there a way?..or am i missing something..please help..and thankyou for looking..

[plod]

14 is the lowest they go mate

[leeby451]

14 is the lowest they go mate

so no cold air without aircon?..jeez..my holiday trips is going to be expensive.il have to put the air con on if theres no other way,kids in car so air-con it is. shame you cant set it to blow cold air though. 14 huh? what was they thinking.

[Gary406]

having the air con on mate hardly breaks the bank . you will not notice any difference.

probably a few MPG less if that.

go and get the air con re-filled and enjoy it. its brilliant on a hot day

[DaiRees]

No, you misunderstand the way it works fella. It's "automatic" air con. The temp you set it to is the temp you are trying to achieve in the cabin, that's why it won't go below 14 'cos that'd be bloody cold! If you set it to 14 it'll give you the coldest air it can until the cabin reaches 14, with the auto aircon on and working properly this cold air will be very cold, probably less than 5 degrees. As the temp appraoches the set temp the fans slow down until the target temp is reached and maintained. I've never tried this with the aircon switched off but I assume it'll still try to reach the target temp, so will give you the coldest air it can from the outside vents.

I keep mine on auto and set to 21 all the time, in the summer the air con cools the cabin down to 21 and in the winter the heaters warm it up to 21. It's a great, efficient system, one of the best I've ever seen in a car.

I wouldn't worry about the cost of running the aircon, I don't think it makes that much difference, it's certainly cheaper that driving 'round with your windows open! Also 406 history tells us that leaving your aircon off causes seals to dry up and compressors to fail, so even if you are going to switch it off make sure to run it regularly, even in winter. My advice though would be to choose a number, press the auto button and forget about it!

[leeby451]

No, you misunderstand the way it works fella. It's "automatic" air con. The temp you set it to is the temp you are trying to achieve in the cabin, that's why it won't go below 14 'cos that'd be bloody cold! If you set it to 14 it'll give you the coldest air it can until the cabin reaches 14, with the auto aircon on and working properly this cold air will be very cold, probably less than 5 degrees. As the temp appraoches the set temp the fans slow down until the target temp is reached and maintained. I've never tried this with the aircon switched off but I assume it'll still try to reach the target temp, so will give you the coldest air it can from the outside vents.

I keep mine on auto and set to 21 all the time, in the summer the air con cools the cabin down to 21 and in the winter the heaters warm it up to 21. It's a great, efficient system, one of the best I've ever seen in a car.

I wouldn't worry about the cost of running the aircon, I don't think it makes that much difference, it's certainly cheaper that driving 'round with your windows open! Also 406 history tells us that leaving your aircon off causes seals to dry up and compressors to fail, so even if you are going to switch it off make sure to run it regularly, even in winter. My advice though would be to choose a number, press the auto button and forget about it!

thankyou dairees this information was exactly what i was looking for and very well put,i understand now,il think il set mine to 21 also and leave it on auto,so i wont used much fuel anyway,ive always been told if you have yr air con on it burns fuel rapidly..guess they are wrong and ive believed this for many years..goto shows dont it,well thanks again ive certainly no worrys now,i think the 406`s are a great drive and ive always drove vauxhalls,but this is my first peugeot and i think they loverly...thanks again for the information mate

[Doggy]

I was sceptical about this too, expecting aircon to guzzle fuel, but Dai's right - it is genuinely hard to measure any change in consumption.

[DaiRees]

Don't get me wrong mate, driving the air con compressor puts a load on the engine and anything that puts a load on the engine will reduce fuel efficiency. All I'm saying is that it's probably not as much as you think. Of course this is also true of enything electrical putting a load on the alternator so lights, wipers, heated rear windows etc all cost money. I did try leaving the air can off for a whole tank of fuel once many years ago and didn't notice any discernable difference in economy so I haven't bothered since

If you're a serious hypermiler (we have a few on here) then I'd suggest experimenting with it, but really I don't reckon it's worth the bother. If it costs me 1 mpg to waft along in climate controlled luxury rather than arriving at my destination all hot and bothered with a sweaty back and arse thats a price I'm willing to pay!

[Phil406]

Good post glad i seen this as i've been para about putting it on as was told it cost the earth to run,thanks guys

[Doggy]

If it costs me 1 mpg to waft along in climate controlled luxury rather than arriving at my destination all hot and bothered with a sweaty back and arse thats a price I'm willing to pay!

Following that graphic description Dai, if it starts to get too pricey, let us know and we'll all chip in.

[DaiRees]

[GTXJez]

Just bought a new GTX myself, totally agree with the guy's 14 is the lowest, my Omega before only went to 17, bearing in mind at 14 it's Celcius which is only 53F, still cool enough
And it is Automatic, so if the car doesn't need the compressor on - it doesn't use it.
I have noticed virtually no difference in mpg on mine still averaging 38.2mpg with or without and thats all sorts of driving all over the country.

I have found leaving it at about 18/19 works well - giving a constant temp without the blower coming on full blast and only occasional use of the compressor as Dai said.
The other big plus with the 406 is the face vents are fantastic and will blow external air... altough teh missus moans and turns her's off!
AND you do have a SUNROOF think of the tan!

Glad to see we have another GTX Owner - so its not just me and Dai! Peugeot obviously sold at least three
Anymore GTX driver out there - start a post!

[DaiRees]

Glad to see we have another GTX Owner - so its not just me and Dai! Peugeot obviously sold at least three

Mines not a GTX it's the superior Executive model

[Bailes1992]

Dai...
Can I buy your HPI and then you can have the Jeep
Didn't know it was an Exec

[DaiRees]

Been talking about having a new car for years Sam, just can't bring myself to part with it. It's been 9 years mun, it'll be like selling one of the kids

When it does go you lot on here can have first refusal, I promise