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What Is Automatic Climate Control in Cars?

Car manufacturers are designing numerous advanced features that ensure maximum safety and comfort for travellers. One such system is the automatic climate control (ACC) system, which offers multi-zone climate control inside your car. 

In addition to this, it has several other advantages as well as disadvantages. Here is complete detail about what ACC is, its features, tips to use it, and the pros and cons of ACC.

What Is Automatic Climate Control in Car?

Automatic climate control is one of the most advanced systems that allow you to regulate a car cabin's temperature independently of its surroundings. You can set the cabin temperature and humidity level of your choice. 

This technology can control airflow, air distribution and temperature inside the cabin, ensuring an individual feel-good climate for the occupants. Besides these, the automatic climate control system also regulates air circulation and fan speed.

What Are the Features of Automatic Climate Control?

Some of the exclusive features of automatic climate control systems in cars are as follows:

  • This technology measures the air quality in the car cabin with the help of various sensors.

  • The driver and passenger sitting in the front seat have the flexibility to control the temperature separately for themselves.

  • Many car models have an ECM to control other sensors like humidity and cabin air quality sensors.

  • You have the option to control temperature levels and intensity of airflow just with a touch.

  • The driver and front passenger have the flexibility of adjusting temperatures separately. 

  • This climate control system has sensors that it can use to maintain the temperature based on the quality of air intake and the sunlight.

Using the air control system can become simple, considering some effective tips on their use.

What Are the Tips for Using Automatic Climate Control?

Here are some tips that you can use to increase benefits from automatic climate control systems:

  • Ensure the front grill is clear of any obstruction so that the air conditioner functions optimally.

  • Keep the air conditioner in the recirculation mode when it is switched on.

  • Always keep the windows rolled up to increase the efficiency of the air conditioner.

  • Use the air-conditioner only when necessary for maximum fuel efficiency. 

  • Refrain from using the ‘Fresh-Air’ mode unless necessary.

  • If you notice that the temperature has become too cool or too warm, make small adjustments of 1 or 2 degrees and wait some minutes for it to readjust automatically.

  • Make sure to keep the system in AUTO mode for maximum comfort and minimum noise.

There are numerous advantages and disadvantages of using the automatic climate control technology. 

What Are the Advantages of Automatic Climate Control?

You can get numerous benefits from installing automatic climate control in cars. These include:

  • Convenient to use as you do not need to adjust the car air condition all the time manually. 

  • With automatic climate control, you can set a desired temperature irrespective of the outside temperature.

  • You can get the facility of an air purifier in the automatic climate control technology.

  • If your car's temperature has become like a furnace, you can turn it on and notice a prominent cooling of the internal environment within minutes.

  • This technology offers the facility of multi-zone climate control. 

Besides this, there are also several advantages that you can experience by installing this.

What Are the Disadvantages of Automatic Climate Control?

The disadvantages of automatic climate control technology are as follows:

  • There are numerous buttons associated with the operation of this technology that can make it complicated to understand.

  • This system is quite expensive; hence, if it gets damaged anyhow, you will need to pay a lot to repair it.

What Is the Role of Air Purifiers and Perfumes in ACC?

Automatic Climate Control can regulate the temperature but cannot make it germ-free. This is where the role of air purifiers comes in. They are equipped with HEPA that filters the polluted air and provides fresh air free of dust particles. 

Some common particles in this polluted air include dust, smoke, and pollen. Once these particles are removed from the internal environment of your car, you can experience maximum comfort when driving.  

Another limitation of the automatic climate control system is that it cannot remove unpleasant odour from your vehicle. To ensure that you receive a pleasant smell during your journey, alongwith the flexibility to regulate temperature, car air freshener or perfume are installed. 

These devices ensure that your vehicle is free of all unpleasant smells and that you get a nice fragrance. Also, you can browse the internet to select a perfume of your choice inside your vehicle.

What Is Multi-zone Climate Control?

Multi-zone climate control allows passengers in the front seat and the driver to set individual temperatures at the front of their cabin. This allows them to set a personalised temperature experience during their journey. 

What Is the Difference Between Air Conditioners and Climate Control?

The differences between air conditioners and automatic climate control are as follows:

Parameters Air Conditioner Automatic Climate Control
Description It is like a fridge for your car to keep the air inside cool. A computerised system that maintains a set temperature in your car.
Function It is a temperature control system that uses fans to circulate air inside your vehicle. It is a ‘set and forget’ temperature control system that works continuously to maintain the desired temperature.
Flexibility Not as flexible as ACC. Offers more flexibility
Cost Budget-friendly More expensive than air conditioners
Mostly Found in    Found in almost all cars irrespective of costs Mostly found in high-end cars in B-segment or above
Operation Manually operated to adjust the temperature, mode of airflow and fan speed.  Automatically adjusts the temperature, mode of airflow and speed of fan using sophisticated computerised systems.
Components Fan, evaporator, condenser, expansion valve, and compressor. Air conditioner, fans, in-car heater, and pre-programmed chip.

Based on the advantages and disadvantages of automatic climate control and its difference from AC, you can decide if you should buy a car having this technology. Also, you should keep track of its functioning. If you notice signs of not working properly, you should go for its servicing immediately.

FAQs About Automatic Climate Control in Car

Should I choose an air conditioner or automatic climate control?

It is completely dependent on your personal needs. An automatic climate control system allows more freedom. However, they can increase the costs of your car significantly. Conversely, for air conditioners, you will have to regulate it manually, but it is a more budget-friendly option.

What is the benefit of automatic climate control?

It can automatically maintain the optimum temperature of your car at a desired level. Also, it ensures that the driver and front passenger can experience separate temperatures, irrespective of the weather outside.

Which cars have automatic climate control?

Some high-end cars with automatic climate control include Maruti Suzuki Jimny, BMW M2, Mercedes-Benz A-Class Limousine, BMW Z4, and Mercedes-Benz AMG A45 S.

Which is the cheapest car in India with automatic climate control?

The cheapest car in India having automatic climate control is Maruti Suzuki Baleno.

How to identify if the automatic climate control is working or not?

Some common signs that indicate that the automatic climate control of your vehicle is not working properly include inconsistent cooling, out-of-date software, and uneven air distribution. Once you notice these signs, opt for servicing the ACC system immediately.