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3-4 Automatic Electronic Dual Climate Control
System (If Equipped)
Your vehicle may be equipped with an Automatic
Electronic Dual Climate Control System. This system
can automatically adjust and control temperature output,
fan speed, air delivery mode, air conditioning operation
and air intake. You can use the AUTO (automatic)
setting or override the automatic operation with
manual control settings. The control settings will be
remembered each time you turn the ignition off
and restart in the same settings. You can use the
memory option to store and recall your settings.
(See ªMemoryº in the Index.)Digital Display
The digital display shows readings in Fahrenheit or
Celsius by pressing the E/M button (English/Metric) on
the Driver Information Center (DIC). When you start
the vehicle, the display will show the current fan speed,
air delivery mode and the driver
-set temperature for
approximately five seconds and then show the
outside temperature.
When the system is fully in the automatic mode, the
word AUTO will also appear on the display. If you have
selected a manual fan speed, then the fan symbol will
appear on the display. If a manual air delivery mode has
been selected, the delivery mode symbol will appear on
the display.
Driver Set Temperature Knob
The DRIVER knob changes the temperature on the
driver's and passenger's side of the vehicle. Turn the
knob clockwise to increase the temperature and
counterclockwise to decrease the temperature.
Whenever you turn this knob, the temperature will be
displayed for approximately five seconds along with the
current fan speed and air delivery mode.
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As the interior of the vehicle warms up to your comfort
set temperature, the fan speed will decrease and the
temperature output may become cooler. If the interior
temperature continues to warm up due to heating
from the sun or outside temperature increases, the
system may switch to other air delivery modes
(typically DEFOG or BI
-LEVEL).
A Typical Hot Weather Example:
The vehicle has been parked outside all day in hot
weather (above 70F/ 21C) and you have set the driver
temperature at 73F (23C) and have selected the
AUTO mode. The system will automatically adjust the
temperature output to maximum cooling. The blower
will start at a low speed momentarily to push the hot air
to the floor of the vehicle and then go to a higher blower
speed with cold airflow out of the instrument panel
outlets. A small amount of airflow will continue through
the lower ducts to cool the floor area.The air intake may start in the recirculated mode for
maximum cooling performance. As the interior of the
vehicle cools down to your comfort set temperature, the
fan speed will decrease and the temperature output may
become warmer. The air intake may shift from
recirculation to fresh air mode. If the interior continues
to cool due to a decrease in the amount of heat the
vehicle is absorbing from the sun or a decrease in the
outside temperature, the system could switch to other air
delivery modes (typically BI
-LEVEL or DEFOG).
Manual Settings
With the Automatic Electronic Dual Climate Control
System, there are several manual settings you can use to
control the system and override the AUTO operation.
You can program the fan speed, air delivery mode, air
intake mode and control the air conditioning operation
using these settings. The system will still determine the
temperature output level based on the driver
-set
temperature and the passenger temperature offset.
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If the system is in FRONT defrost when you shut the
engine off, it will restart in FRONT defrost unless the
engine is off for longer than 40 minutes. If the engine is
off longer than 40 minutes, the system will restart in the
operating mode you had set prior to FRONT defrost.
The air conditioning cools and dehumidifies air coming
into the vehicle. It also operates in defrost to help
remove moisture from the vehicle. The air conditioning
does not operate at temperatures below approximately
35F to 40F (2C to 4C). If the system is operating in
the AUTO mode, turning the air conditioning off will
delete AUTO from the digital display and show current
mode and fan settings. The AUTO button must be
pressed to return to the automatic mode operation.
See ªRear Window Defoggerº later in this section for
more information.Sensors
The Automatic Electronic Dual Climate Control
System uses several sensors to control operation and
display information.
Solar Load Sensor
This sensor is located on the top right side of the
defroster grille. The defroster grille is on the top of the
instrument panel.
The sensor monitors the sun's solar radiation and uses
this information as part of the automatic climate control
system when operating in the AUTO mode.
Be careful not to put anything over the sensor. When
covered, the sensor cannot compensate for changes in
the amount of heat the vehicle is absorbing from the sun.
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Outside Air Temperature Sensor
This sensor is located in the air intake under the front
bumper of the vehicle. Information from this sensor
is used for the outside air temperature readings shown
on the digital display for the automatic climate
control system.
If the outside temperature goes up, the displayed
temperature will not change until:
The vehicle's speed is above 20 mph (32 km/h) for
one and a half minutes.
The vehicle's speed is above 45 mph (72 km/h) for
one minute.
These delays help prevent false readings. If the
temperature goes down, the outside temperature display
is updated immediately.
If the vehicle has been turned off for more than three
hours, the current outside temperature will be shown
when you start the vehicle. If it has been turned off for
less than three hours, the temperature will be recalled
from the previous vehicle operation.Inside Temperature Sensor
This sensor is located to the left of the ignition switch.
The automatic climate control system uses this sensor to
receive information, so if you block or cover it, the
system will not function properly.
Air Conditioning
On very hot days, the vehicle will cool down more
quickly and economically if you open the windows long
enough to let hot inside air escape. Then keep the
windows closed in order to allow the air conditioning to
work best. Maximum cooling will occur when the
recirculate setting is operating, airflow direction is in the
upper mode, and the temperature control knob
(on a manual climate control system) is turned all the
way to the blue area. These settings will be selected
by the Automatic Electronic Dual Climate Control
System if operating in AUTO when maximum cooling
is required.
When the air conditioning is on, you may sometimes
notice slight changes in the vehicle's engine
performance and power. This is normal. The system is
designed to help fuel economy while maintaining the
desired cooling level.
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The air conditioning removes moisture from the air, so
you may notice water dripping from under the vehicle
when it is idling or after it has been turned off.
This is normal.
Heating
The heater works best if you keep the windows closed.
Maximum heating will occur when airflow direction is
in the lower mode and the temperature control knob
(on a manual climate control system) is all the way in
the red area. These settings will be selected by the
Automatic Electronic Dual Climate Control System if
operating in AUTO when maximum heating is required.
The BI
-LEVEL setting is designed for use on sunny
days when the air is only moderately warm or cool.
On days like these, the sun may adequately warm your
upper body, but your lower body may not be warm
enough. The BI
-LEVEL setting will direct cooler
airflow to your upper body and warmer air to the
floor area.
If you have the optional engine coolant heater and use it
during cold weather 0F (
-18C) or lower, the heating
system will provide heat more quickly because the
coolant is already warmed. See ªEngine Coolant Heaterº
in the Index.
Defogging and Defrosting
To rapidly defrost the windshield, the FRONT defrost
mode (Automatic Electronic Dual Climate Control
System) or defrost mode (manual control system)
should be used and the fan speed should be adjusted to
the highest speed. With the manual control system, turn
the temperature control knob all the way to the red area.
To keep the windshield clear and provide heated air to
the floor area of the vehicle, use the DEFOG setting.
Your vehicle is equipped with side window defogger
vents located near the side rearview mirrors.
Rear Window Defogger
REAR: This button turns the rear defogger and the
optional heated outside mirrors on. The light on the
button will come on when operating. The system
automatically shuts off after approximately 10 minutes.
If further defogging is desired, press the button again
and it will operate for about five more minutes.
The rear window defogger operates only when the
engine is running.