what is econ, how do you use it?

[csopho]

I am just about to buy a 2005 passat 2.0 tdi dsg SE with aircon, when i test drove it the dealer said to me that it was ECON and it was better than aircon, I left the dealer a bit confused.

Can someone tell me how the aircon works in a SE, I could not see an aircon button just the dials and an econ button...does the car even have aircon?

Is the econ button to stop the using the air con pump/gas and use the external cold air..?

If anyone can help i would appreciate it.

[marktj]

Econ just turns off the chiller, so yes just uses the outside air. Bit confusing but I suppose it is more economical does defeat the object though.

[csopho]

Thanks, the vw dealer told me that econ was better than air con but not as good as climate. . . I assumed he had got it wrong.

[Quatrelle]

Although it will use slightly more fuel, hence 'Econ' (and thus, VW suggest, not so good for the environment), using the aircon will clear your windows quicker and obviously keep the car cool in the summer. Also, I am led to believe that leaving the aircon turned off for prolonged periods doesn't do the seals etc. any good.

[Stuart W]

I also find that if I don't use it much it tends to smell a bit when it's turned on again.

Or perhaps it smells the same all the time but if it's used more then I just get used to it

[Stuart W]

Thanks, the vw dealer told me that econ was better than air con but not as good as climate. . . I assumed he had got it wrong.

Climate control is basically just a sophisticated version of air con, while the Econ option just switches either version back to a standard car heater system.

Don't know what the dealer could have meant, but maybe he was trying to say that having the Econ option is better than having no option to switch off the air con/climate control at all.

By the way, I think the SE's system is in effect more sophisticated than air con, but less sophisticated than climate control. I think (but may be wrong) that this is because in basic air con you just get a standard hot/cold heater-style control, whereas with the SE you can set the desired temperature on the dial. On the other hand, full climate control allows you to digitally set the desired temp. VW marketed this as 'Climatic' semi-automatic.

[gazza007]

The system on my "S" version is Semi automatic.
You can set the temp dial to the desired comfort & the system will try to maintain the temp that temp by some kind of control valve.
The blower speeds & direction controls are manual.
On a fully auto system these are controlled automatically or manually if
desired by the use of actuators.
Pressing the Econ button will disengage the clutch on the compressor so the air will not have the heat/moisture removed by the AC system. Although the system shuts down under 5c to avoid icing
I had a lot of trouble on my SEAT Alhambra with the AC, I would rec that you leave it on. A guy on my old Seat forum posted info on his AC comapny & some FAQ's

Gaz
http://www.airconditioningforcars.co.uk/ACpage01.htm

[MalcQV]

Now I am no expert on the Passat let alone the B6, but my B5.5S (for Standard ) came with Climate which has ECON/AUTO button as standard.

I would of thought the B6 SE had Climate as standard?

[Stuart W]

I would of thought the B6 SE had Climate as standard?

As far as I know both the S and SE have the "Climatic" semi-automatic system, which I (tried to) explain above.

[MalcQV]

As far as I know both the S and SE have the "Climatic" semi-automatic system, which I (tried to) explain above.

Yep you did, just re-read it