I have a 2006 MC with auto AC. Whenever I hit the defrost button, it comes on full blast. When I try turning it down, it kicks me off of the defrost option. Am I doing something wrong?

 

Mine does the same. I believe it is designed to do this to offer defrosting as quickly as possible.

 

are you sure the air stopped coming out the defrost vents?

 

Mine does the same & after 2 years I still can't figure out a way to run it on low. I mean after the windshield gets defogged I would sometimes like to keep the defrost running on low (not fullBLAST ) so I can keep the window clear. But...whenever I try to lower it the air starts coming out of the front vents & the window refogs. It's irritating & loud to have to ride around with it on high

 

If you don't like it on full blast, you need to turn off the auto air, select the fan speed you want and select the upper vents. This simulates defrost at a lower speed.

 

Older (pre-2005) MINIs had a single button which did both "super boost" defrost and regular point-it-to-the-windshield.
You pressed the button to get "super-boost" and you had to press & hold the button to get the air directed at normal fan speed.

For the 2005+ MINIs there was a redesign - you now have two buttons; on the left is the defrost / super-boost button; on the right is a button to select "up" air (along with "face" and "feet" buttons).
So on the '05/'06 MINI, if you want fast defrost, hit the left button; if you want air on the screen but under your control, use the button on the right to direct air flow upwards.

 

Ah, I didn't know that!! Thanks!

 

How can you tell whether the system is on Auto or Manual?

 

nevermind...

 

If the little green light on the auto button is lit, it is on auto. If not, systen is on manual.

 

Ahhh...I'm so glad I asked. Glad to hear that my Milo isn't broken. Thanks for all the help everyone!

 

Its good to have it on fully blast on High because it will defrost your windows 10x faster!

 

Yes, but be sure your seatbelt is on, or you could get blown right out the window!

 

I dont think its that powerfull lol Loud though!

 

Along these lines, I've noticed that if I press the AC "Auto" button, the light next to the "snowflake" is illuminated, even if the outside temperature is lower than the temperature I've set (in other words, the system should be using the heater, not the air conditioner).

Even though the system should be warming the car and not cooling it, is the AC compressor being engaged anyway, possibly to de-humidify the air? I'd rather not take the performance/gas mileage hit of the compressor being engaged when all I'm trying to do is warm the car.

Thanks,
Scott

 

That's exactly what's going on.

 

Even in "auto" mode, the windshield will still get heat. I find that I really don't have to touch the heating controls much in the winter at all. On the other hand, auto is just about worthless if you don't want AC, but simply want cool fresh air. Windows seem to work best for that scenario. :-)

 

I dont know why I even bought auto A/C i never use the system. Windows down for me!

 

In my opinion, the term "auto" doesn't quite live up to it's definition for the MINI a/c system. I was hoping for something a bit smarter. My previous car, a 1988 MB, had a great automatic a/c and heater. The only necessary adjustments were to either engage the compressor or disengage it. The defrost blasted full and then settled down on its own. Same with the a/c on hot summer days. The heat didn't blast until the engine was warm enough not to blow cold air. To me, this defined "auto"

With the MINI, the temperature seems to swing too much over or under the setting. And too bad if you want odd number temp settings.

Regardless, I didn't buy the car for the a/c system. If it's not raining, the windows are down and the sunroof is open. Motor on!

swizzle

 

yep it isnt all that great!