I haven't tested the XV yet, however with the two previous Subaru cars I owned the AC compressor would not turn on when the cold to hot dial was set all the way to hot, blowing hot air on the windshield. Let us know if that works for you.

 

When my AC is on, the light shows up. I always turn it off. I'm not sure why yours would not light up if the AC is on.
In any case, you can avoid it by using manual settings rather than the auto mode.

 

Read your manual.

 

It says "no," which is why I asked if anyone knows of a hidden setting, or a fuse I could run a switch through.

In any case, you can avoid it by using manual settings rather than the auto mode.

Not when you don't HAVE an auto mode! I have the manual-only climate control system, and apparently Subaru thinks I'm too dull or irresponsible to actually control it myself.

I virtually never use my air conditioner, even on hot days. Am I likely to have my AC compressor fail?

Yep. Though I'm sure this is mitigated by the low wear you're subjecting it to. Best practices would be to run it periodically. I've heard from mechanics (not manufacturers -- grain of salt if you like) that you should run your AC at least once a month during the winter. It seems logical to extend this to all other seasons as well.

I haven't tested the XV yet, however with the two previous Subaru cars I owned the AC compressor would not turn on when the cold to hot dial was set all the way to hot, blowing hot air on the windshield. Let us know if that works for you.

Tested it out last weekend -- no luck, I'm afraid. Even on full-hot, I could see the instantaneous MPG drop when I turned the system on. I guess the only thing left to do is to see if I can cut the power to the AC without hurting anything.

 

Having the A/C turn on when you really need to defrost the window (not defog the window) is really counter productive. During the last Winter, I didn't have an issue with the A/C being on and defrosting the window.

 

I understand that AC air is somewhat more dry and it helps to defog the inner side of the glass. Now I also believe that it might have something to do with making the inside and oustide temperature more even to get it defogged to all of it might have an impact. I'd say try it all, test it out and let us know

Btw the fog on the windows obviously shows up when the air is is warmer than the glass (condensation of water in the gas form into a liquid), so at early stage, defogging with cold air makes sense to me, while after the glass heats up with the interior, it would stop using the cold air...
Correct me if I'm wrong please

 

The AC compressor cycles on when in defrost/defog mode partially to keep the compressor lubricated during the non-AC season. If it never cycled on you would see an increase in failure rates of compressors as the cooling season comes around.

 

??

Really?

I virtually never use my air conditioner, even on hot days. Am I likely to have my AC compressor fail?

 

OK Folks. Quick Air Conditioning lesson.

When air gets colder (and denser) it cannot hold as much moisture as warm air. So when warmer humid air hits a cold object (like your windshield on a winter day), it cools and the moisture once held by the air is now ejected onto your windshield causing fog. Typically this happens right after you come into the car after getting rained on, or you still have snow on your jacket that starts melting and evaporating, or you are just a heavy breather - the inside of the car becomes more humid.

You combat this in a couple of ways. When you turn on the knob to blow on the windshield it does automatically turn the AC Compressor on (even though the AC light does not come on). This 'conditions' the air by cooling it to take any moisture out of it creating dryer air. This dryer air is then blasted into your car and against your windshield to counter the higher humidity levels. Also, even though it feels cold, it is warmer than the winter temps outside, and it warms your windshield to help against any further condensation.

Now with all of that being said, I agree with Justinicus and wish that you could operate the windshield blower without automatically turning the AC on. I always tend to lean to more options rather than less, and I don't agree that the AC should be directly linked to the windshield vents when there is an AC button right next to it.

 

Tested it out last weekend -- no luck, I'm afraid. Even on full-hot, I could see the instantaneous MPG drop when I turned the system on. I guess the only thing left to do is to see if I can cut the power to the AC without hurting anything.[/QUOTE]

Wow, just another thing that makes me like my older Subaru better.
If it helps the Owners Manual (4-10) says the AC compressor will stop operating when the ambient temperature falls below 32F (0C) .

 

I just let the climate control system do its thing man.

 

The a/c turns on as it helps dry the air, and in turn defog/defrost your window quicker. This is automatic regardless if the button in the dash lights up or not. More than likely happens with ALL cars with a/c. The temperature control is what controls the heat....so if you are finding it cold, when the engine warms up increase the temperature knob. Air conditioning doesn't mean COLD.

 

You may be surprised to find that turning the temperature up doesn't help with fuel efficiency in the slightest!

 

Not sure if it will work,

but you may be able to locate a microswitch like the one in this old school subie.

http://www.scoobymods.com/showthrea...read.php/c-compressor-defrost-mod-1262.html?threadid=1262&highlight=a/c+defrost

here is a writeup with better pictures
AC compressor defrost mod | MNSubaru

I understand you may not want to rip apart your dash and now the cars are on a can bus, but it may just work.

My XV is my 5th Subaru and I have been on nabisco since 02. My usual caveat will accompany this post: I assume no liability for what you do with your car, so if you mess it up, I wont lose any sleep over it.

This is ancient stuff, maybe it works, maybe it dosent.

 

This is a pita for hybrid owners. If the a/c or defrost is running the car won't run in electric mode. Makes hit hard to save gas.?

 

Could always be worse....... You are still driving one of the best Awd vehicles with 8.7 inches of ground clearance,Best safety features... great gas mileage non the less.

Friend of mine purchased one of the first fortwo Electric vehicles in Canada ( no Not a hybrid,with gas as back up) All Electric, needless to say it remains Parked in the garage,Not in the least versatile on the road, let alone with out Heat !!! ($ 36K)

The best part of this tale is the Back up vehicle of choice for them is a 2015 Forester (their daily use vehicle in the Winter months).

Troutbum

 

Troutbum do you work for Subaru? For someone who don't even own a Crosstrek (yet) you sure talk a lot of BS and all you say is based on the fantasy of owning one. You get what you pay for, the car is just that a car.

 

Let's keep the personal attacks to a minimum...

 

Not sure what not having an XV should matter. I find that Troutbum gives sound advice.