Prologue: I read the owner's manual (twice) and used the Search function, but still haven't found a really clear/helpful answer on this topic yet. So...

I noticed that whenever I start my MINI, the A/C automatically kicks on. I'm usually a windows down, sunroof open kinda guy, unless on my way to work in long pants. The control freak in me wants to decide when, where, and how much A/C comes on.

I checked the array of climate control buttons, but the AUTO button isn't lit, so I used the large dial to take the temp up past the 70's to HI. Is this the best way to avoid the A/C kicking on whenever I start the car? I always tried to avoid starting my old car ('97 Camry) w/the A/C on just to save strain on the engine, and I wanted to avoid unnecessary excess load on my MINI too.

Thanx all!

 

With the system on, lower the fan speed repeatedly until it shuts off. This will shut off the entire A/C system, and it shouldn't come back on the next time you start the car.

 

Strange... my A/C stays in the same state it was when the car was shut off... cause I, too, am an open window/sunroof kinda guy and that would quickly get on my nerves if I had to keep shutting off the A/C each time I start. Now perhaps they changed something for the 06 model year since mine is an 03, but I have a hard time believing they would change how that works.

GotMINI

 

Mine works the same as fridayxiii's (I have an '06 as well). If I have it in AUTO with the A/C "on" and then turn off the A/C manually, it will turn itself back on when I re-start the car.

Leaving the system in manual instead of AUTO keeps the A/C from turning back on when I restart the car, though.

 

this is how mine works also

 

Same here.

 

I monkeyed around a bit & found something that works for me: I just raised the temp one notch past LO to 60. I like to have a little airflow via the fan so I left the blower going but adjusting the temp seems to have done the trick.

Thanks for the replies everyone. The friendly help I've found here at NAM ever since I joined back in May has been - and is - hugely appreciated.