Autoclimate Control Issue?

[choff1138]

Hi wilson. :D Your head hurts!? I am having so much "fun", I need a three pound aspirin just to dull the headache and wrist pain from all this typing.

 

At least, you can choose not to read this exercise in futility at all. I am trying to help AXCL understand the EATC system, at some time in the hopefully not so distant future (God willing). :shades:

 

Good luck. :beerchug:

 

It is certainly an excellent write up. I appreciate that there are people who can explain it in writing so well. Me not so much.... you know the thing in the place that makes that noise?

 

hehehehe

[wilsons66604]

Hi wilson. :D Your head hurts!? I am having so much "fun", I need a three pound aspirin just to dull the headache and wrist pain from all this typing.

 

At least, you can choose not to read this exercise in futility at all. I am trying to help AXCL understand the EATC system, at some time in the hopefully not so distant future (God willing). :shades:

 

Good luck. :beerchug:

Ha! All in good Fun. I enjoyed the detail.

I'm sticking with the AUTO setting.

[wilsons66604]

wow - we agree on something Wilson.

A Mazing! :-)

You are a special person on this forum. I'm glad we agree.

I hope you realize how blessed lucky you are to have a bug free Edge.

It's really frustrating to have the bugs.

Edited December 7, 2010 by wilsons66604

[curlysir]

Good info and discussion here, my .02$ worth:

 

The Auto Climate Control in my 2011 Edge Limited works very similar to the ones in my F-150 and Excursion. I have found that the Temperature setting for the systems is not as accurate as a home thermostat as should be used only as a guide and I have to adjust the temperature a few degrees up or down (depending on the the outside temp and clouds or lack of) to be comfortable. I usually have the temp set to around 70 in the summer and 72 to 74 in the winter. The Edge does seem to be a little better then the other 2 as to maintaining a constant temperature. I leave all 3 systems on full auto and only change the Temp as needed. If I have ice on the windshield I will turn on the defrost until it is gone or switch to the defrost/floor and then switch back to full auto as soon as possible. The systems all retain the setting on shutdown.

[AXCL]

Hi wilson. :D Your head hurts!? I am having so much "fun", I need a three pound aspirin just to dull the headache and wrist pain from all this typing.

 

At least, you can choose not to read this exercise in futility at all. I am trying to help AXCL understand the EATC system, at some time in the hopefully not so distant future (God willing). :shades:

 

Good luck. :beerchug:

 

 

Hey!! I get it! No need to beat me over the head How do you know I'm not just keeping this tread going to see if I can get you to write any longer posts then the previous ones.

 

I think this is a case of agreeing to disagree that we kind of agree, just not to the same extent. I think I am saying the same thing as you, just stating I don't think it is as bad as you think it is. For me "Partial AUTO" works fine and does maintain my temp as I ask it to, depending on the outside temp, i find it can be more accurate. I've been giving "FULL AUTO" a chance and as a few other posters have stated, I have to go a few degrees higher for it to keep me warm, but I like the way it works.

 

:stop: - Before you send me the CAD drawings, schematic and the full volume set from E to C on the ETAC! I agree the "FULL AUTO" is designed to maintain the temp more accurately then "PARTIAL AUTO", but "PARTIAL AUTO" DOES work too as long as you don't have stupid settings. Try it, you'll see! :yup: I use it all the time and it gives me the Goldilocks Edge (not too hot, not too cold, but just right!...and maintains it!) I do a min of 100KM a day, almost 8000KM in 2 months using PARTIAL AUTO for most of it, so I know PARTIAL AUTO works.

 

P.S. Sorry choff1138 for stealing your Bazinga! Its just love that word. I actually used it once on a heated conference call with Verizon regarding a issue with a 10Mb fiber link they have in our NY office when they were trying to feed us crap and I proved them wrong using their own analogy. Our NY tech told me later he had to put his phone on mute as he spit coffee all over his computer, he loves BBT as well and couldn't believe I'd say that! After that he sent me up a Rock, Paper, Scissors, Lizard, Spock mug.

 

My Favorite Quote!

Sheldon: Why are you crying?

Penny: Because I'm stupid!

Sheldon: That's no reason to cry. One cries because one is sad. For example, I cry because others are stupid, and that makes me sad.

[sboots88]

"3 - "With the Mytouch, I have the ability to have the fan on AUTO, while still manually controlling the vents." - No, you are mistaken..."

 

Since the photos went out of order, I can't tell which one to identify it as, but the one where "auto" on the large strip in the lower part of the screen is the only one that shows full auto mode. I suspect that changing the vent, but not the fan means that the fan speed will adjust automatically, but air will only flow from the vent(s) you have selected.

 

In my experience, I set it to full auto and actually select a temperature higher than I normally would feel comfortable at. That seems to get me what I want on these recently below freezing days. If I don't remote start the car and get in when it is cold, when the car warms up to send me heat, the actual temp is quite a bit higher than my choice and the fan speed is high. This is, of course, after a period of little air flow since the engine was still cold. Once the overall interior temps are in range (actually a bit warmish!), the fan drops down and the temp remains comfortable for the remainder of the drive.

 

-steve

[bbf2530]

 

I think this is a case of agreeing to disagree that we kind of agree, just not to the same extent. I think I am saying the same thing as you, just stating I don't think it is as bad as you think it is. For me "Partial AUTO" works fine and does maintain my temp as I ask it to, depending on the outside temp, i find it can be more accurate. I've been giving "FULL AUTO" a chance and as a few other posters have stated, I have to go a few degrees higher for it to keep me warm, but I like the way it works.

 

I agree the "FULL AUTO" is designed to maintain the temp more accurately then "PARTIAL AUTO", but "PARTIAL AUTO" DOES work too as long as you don't have stupid settings. Try it, you'll see! I use it all the time and it gives me the Goldilocks Edge (not too hot, not too cold, but just right!...and maintains it!) I do a min of 100KM a day, almost 8000KM in 2 months using PARTIAL AUTO for most of it, so I know PARTIAL AUTO works.

 

Hi AXCL. :D Gotcha. All in good fun and thank you for keeping it polite and amusing the entire trip. Does not always happen on the Internet, unfortunately.

 

Well, at least we have come to some type of common ground. The thing is, I don't need to try the "partial-auto settings". I understood from the beginning how they work and was only trying to help you understand. In fact, I rarely use full or partial-auto unless completely necessary (extremely cold or hot weather). In this way, I don't suffer the mileage penalty of the A/C compressor possibly being engaged. In the winter I usually operate the EATC on full manual, with the heat going to the registers I feel necessary. Do use auto sometimes though (more so in hot, hot summertime). To put it another way, I was already enlightened to all the wonders of the Ford EATC system and was simply trying to help you also see the light.

 

However, just so history is not completely revised, let's remember why we are here in the first place (since it seems to have gotten lost during this long strange journey), this was the earlier post of yours that got the fun started (or me involved anyway ):

 

I haven't put a second thermometer in the car to verify, but I can guarantee that if it is around 60F outside and I have my temp set to 72F, while using the defrost, the internal temp will not be 72! It will be more like 65 or less. This is 20-30 min driving so everything has had plenty of time to warm up. As soon as I switch over to the standard vents, it gets nice and toasty! There seems to be an outside temp range where the Def doesn't add enough heat to meet the internal temp setting. I've driven 20 min like this and had frozen feet and hands by the time I got home.

 

In case it slipped your mind (which it seems might have happened), you were not happy with the partial-auto setting when you had it set to defrost. Remember when you were complaining that your car would not heat up to the temp setting of 72* on a 60* day (would only get to ~"65*") while you had it set to partial-auto with the defroster setting manually engaged? I do. :shades: As your complaint stated, only heated to about 65*.

 

Perhaps in too much detail, I kept trying to explain to you why your hands and feet were cold when the EATC was set to partial-auto with front defroster manually selected. I guess the shorter answer would have been, "Of course your hands and feet were frozen when you have the system set to partial-auto with the front "Defroster" button engaged!!! You are aiming all the hot air up at the windshield through the defroster registers (remember that part about hot air rising, and partial-auto hamstringing the systems ability to regulate the cabin temperature...?). And since your subsequent posts resisted that realization and held on to a "bit" of a stubborn resistance to realizing how the EATC system actually works (as opposed to how some people may "want" it to work), I kept trying to explain in more and more detail. So the fun began and here we are!

 

Ironically, this discussion has begun to remind me of trying to explain to my wife how one type of electronic device or another works. An amusing example:

 

Wifey, day one - "This stupid thing is not working right!"

Me -"Yes, honey. It does not quite work that way. Did you read the Manual? You need to..."

Wifey - "I don't think that is right...I think it works this way..."

 

Wifey, day two - "This stupid thing is still not working right!"

Me - "Yes, honey. But it does not quite work that way. Did you follow my instructions or read the Manual. You need to..."

Wifey - (with absolutely no reply to "Did you follow my instructions..."): "I don't think that is right...I think it works this way..."

 

Wifey, day three - "This stupid thing is still not working right..."

Me - "Yes honey. But it does not quite work that way. Did you follow my previous directions? You need to..."

Wifey - (again no reply to "Did you follow my previous directions"): "I don't think that is right...I think it works this way...It should work like this and this stupid thing still does not work right..."

Me - "Yes honey, but at least try to use it like the Manual and I have explained, then we will see..."

 

Wifey, day four - "Well yes, you might be kind of right...but not really... and I still don't think it should work that way so I might keep using it my way sometimes..."

Me - "Okay honey. As long as you understand it will not work as well as it should..."

Wifey - "Alright, alright, alright. Yes, you might be right, but why do you have to keep telling me the same thing over and over and over...?"

Me - What is running through the back of my mind to say, but "discretion is the better part of valor" so I definitely do not: "Well Sweetums, I keep saying the same thing over and over because you keep complaining that it is not working right, I keep telling you how to use it properly, and you keep ignoring me, insisting on doing it your way and telling me it still is not working right! So pay attention and I will only need to say it once, Sweetums...".

Instead, what I actually say is some variation of: "Yes dear, I am just happy that you are happy..."

 

So AXCL, I am now overjoyed that we have reached the point where I can sincerely say to you, "Yes dear, I am happy that you are happy...!" :roses:

 

All in good fun AXCL!

 

Best of luck with your Edge! :beerchug:

 

PS - By the way, this: "How do you know I'm not just keeping this tread going to see if I can get you to write any longer posts then the previous ones.", was just not right in the least!!! But it was funny! :hysterical2:

Edited December 7, 2010 by bbf2530

[GreenDragon68]

Hi GreenDragon. :D With the 2010 and earlier Edge/MKZ, the answer was a definite no. Upon vehicle start-up, the climate control system on 2010 and earlier Edge/MKX models would resume the last setting at vehicle shut-down. So if it was off when you last shut-down, it would be off upon start-up.

 

However, this may have changed with the 2011 models with MyFord and MyFordTouch. The information I have read states that there are user configurable settings to vary what the system does on vehicle start-up, in some cases no matter what it was last set to on vehicle shut-down. This sounds similar to the situation you are describing.

 

Until I research a 2011 Owners Manual or other service literature, I can not verify how this affects the various Edge models with MyFord or MyFordTouch systems, each individual EATC system (there seem to be 3), whether it only has to do with Remote Start systems, etc. etc..

 

Have you read the Climate Control and other user configurable settings sections for your particular EATC system in your Owners Manual?

 

My apologies for not being able to give more accurate information, but until someone with more on-hand knowledge jumps in with a reply, that may be your quickest way to get an answer to your questions.

 

If I can find any useful information, I will post back. Keep us updated if you find any concrete answers.

 

Good luck. :beerchug:

 

bbf2530,

 

Thanks for all the helpful info!

I read the manual but didn't find anything about the climate system coming on automatically if it's turned off and not in auto mode. Sounds like it may be a glitch but as long as I have heat or cool air when I need it I guess it's not a big deal. Still a little frustrating to have the fan blowing at high speed everytime I turn the car on. :angry: If anyone has the climate system w/out the myford touch controls I'm curious if yours reacts the same way.

 

Thanks again!

[sjlocke]

This is all really complicated. All I want to do is turn on dash and floor vents, control the amount of air coming out and decide whether I want it warm or cold. When it is cold outside, I have to crank it down to 62 to not get burned by the heat coming out. Then eventually that will cool off too much, and I need to raise it back up. So I drive around punching these buttons back and forth to get it to a comfortable level blowing out.

 

So, it's trying to get my interior to that number based on the temperature outside? Is there any way for me to just say that I want warm or cool air to come out?

[sboots88]

This is all really complicated. All I want to do is turn on dash and floor vents, control the amount of air coming out and decide whether I want it warm or cold. When it is cold outside, I have to crank it down to 62 to not get burned by the heat coming out. Then eventually that will cool off too much, and I need to raise it back up. So I drive around punching these buttons back and forth to get it to a comfortable level blowing out.

 

So, it's trying to get my interior to that number based on the temperature outside? Is there any way for me to just say that I want warm or cool air to come out?

 

I've found that it isn't perfect, but then neither is manually toying with the settings.

Set the system on Full Auto, select a temperature and be done with it. You can adjust the temp up and down as needed, but don't fiddle with fan speeds and direction - let the system take care of it and it works well enough.

 

-steve

[richy]

Hi AXCL. :D Gotcha. All in good fun and thank you for keeping it polite and amusing the entire trip. Does not always happen on the Internet, unfortunately.

 

Well, at least we have come to some type of common ground. The thing is, I don't need to try the "partial-auto settings". I understood from the beginning how they work and was only trying to help you understand. In fact, I rarely use full or partial-auto unless completely necessary (extremely cold or hot weather). In this way, I don't suffer the mileage penalty of the A/C compressor possibly being engaged. In the winter I usually operate the EATC on full manual, with the heat going to the registers I feel necessary. Do use auto sometimes though (more so in hot, hot summertime). To put it another way, I was already enlightened to all the wonders of the Ford EATC system and was simply trying to help you also see the light.

 

However, just so history is not completely revised, let's remember why we are here in the first place (since it seems to have gotten lost during this long strange journey), this was the earlier post of yours that got the fun started (or me involved anyway ):

 

 

 

In case it slipped your mind (which it seems might have happened), you were not happy with the partial-auto setting when you had it set to defrost. Remember when you were complaining that your car would not heat up to the temp setting of 72* on a 60* day (would only get to ~"65*") while you had it set to partial-auto with the defroster setting manually engaged? I do. :shades: As your complaint stated, only heated to about 65*.

 

Perhaps in too much detail, I kept trying to explain to you why your hands and feet were cold when the EATC was set to partial-auto with front defroster manually selected. I guess the shorter answer would have been, "Of course your hands and feet were frozen when you have the system set to partial-auto with the front "Defroster" button engaged!!! You are aiming all the hot air up at the windshield through the defroster registers (remember that part about hot air rising, and partial-auto hamstringing the systems ability to regulate the cabin temperature...?). And since your subsequent posts resisted that realization and held on to a "bit" of a stubborn resistance to realizing how the EATC system actually works (as opposed to how some people may "want" it to work), I kept trying to explain in more and more detail. So the fun began and here we are!

 

Ironically, this discussion has begun to remind me of trying to explain to my wife how one type of electronic device or another works. An amusing example:

 

Wifey, day one - "This stupid thing is not working right!"

Me -"Yes, honey. It does not quite work that way. Did you read the Manual? You need to..."

Wifey - "I don't think that is right...I think it works this way..."

 

Wifey, day two - "This stupid thing is still not working right!"

Me - "Yes, honey. But it does not quite work that way. Did you follow my instructions or read the Manual. You need to..."

Wifey - (with absolutely no reply to "Did you follow my instructions..."): "I don't think that is right...I think it works this way..."

 

Wifey, day three - "This stupid thing is still not working right..."

Me - "Yes honey. But it does not quite work that way. Did you follow my previous directions? You need to..."

Wifey - (again no reply to "Did you follow my previous directions"): "I don't think that is right...I think it works this way...It should work like this and this stupid thing still does not work right..."

Me - "Yes honey, but at least try to use it like the Manual and I have explained, then we will see..."

 

Wifey, day four - "Well yes, you might be kind of right...but not really... and I still don't think it should work that way so I might keep using it my way sometimes..."

Me - "Okay honey. As long as you understand it will not work as well as it should..."

Wifey - "Alright, alright, alright. Yes, you might be right, but why do you have to keep telling me the same thing over and over and over...?"

Me - What is running through the back of my mind to say, but "discretion is the better part of valor" so I definitely do not: "Well Sweetums, I keep saying the same thing over and over because you keep complaining that it is not working right, I keep telling you how to use it properly, and you keep ignoring me, insisting on doing it your way and telling me it still is not working right! So pay attention and I will only need to say it once, Sweetums...".

Instead, what I actually say is some variation of: "Yes dear, I am just happy that you are happy..."

 

So AXCL, I am now overjoyed that we have reached the point where I can sincerely say to you, "Yes dear, I am happy that you are happy...!" :roses:

 

All in good fun AXCL!

 

Best of luck with your Edge! :beerchug:

 

PS - By the way, this: "How do you know I'm not just keeping this tread going to see if I can get you to write any longer posts then the previous ones.", was just not right in the least!!! But it was funny! :hysterical2:

 

 

I gotta say, I LMFAO when I read that. I've been married for 20 years. It's good to know some things are universal. At least she finally got it!

[crabman]

Good info and discussion here, my .02$ worth:

 

The Auto Climate Control in my 2011 Edge Limited works very similar to the ones in my F-150 and Excursion. I have found that the Temperature setting for the systems is not as accurate as a home thermostat as should be used only as a guide and I have to adjust the temperature a few degrees up or down (depending on the the outside temp and clouds or lack of) to be comfortable. I usually have the temp set to around 70 in the summer and 72 to 74 in the winter. The Edge does seem to be a little better then the other 2 as to maintaining a constant temperature. I leave all 3 systems on full auto and only change the Temp as needed. If I have ice on the windshield I will turn on the defrost until it is gone or switch to the defrost/floor and then switch back to full auto as soon as possible. The systems all retain the setting on shutdown.

 

Yep, had auto in BMW, Chevy, Lexus, Dodge, Mercedes, and now in the MKX. They all acted the same and can be successfully interacted with by leaving them alone except for increasing or decreasing the set point as needed to maintain a comfortable cabin temperature. There are the times when you get in the car soaked from the rain or other conditions that may require manual intervention to keep the windows from getting fogged up for example but for the most part things should pretty much take care of themselves. I can say that all the systems I have experienced run cold. By that I mean they all required a higher set point than I would use in the house. My wifes Lexus needs a set point of about 75 to 80 for instance to reach the home type 72 feeling. Dont worry about what the number says, adjust for comfort.

[ryansdad]

Hi AXCL. Thanks you for understanding that I am only trying to help.

 

The short story is pressing any air redirection or fan speed button will take the EATC system out of "full auto" and hamper/alter its ability to warm (or cool) the cabin to a set temperature. It also locks in certain settings that you did not hit buttons for (runs in a partial auto/non-full auto setting). And the larger the variation between the exterior ambient temperature and the temperature the driver sets the EATC system to, the worse this effect will be. This is how Ford EATC systems (and most automotive EATC systems) are designed to operate. By definition, "AUTO" is auto and once you manually choose a setting other than "AUTO" by redirecting air direction or volume, the system is no longer controlling all functions automatically. So it is not operating in/with full automatic function and all bets are off concerning cabin temperature control. We can either leave it in full "AUTO" (and don't touch any other HVAC buttons changing airflow) or have manual control of one sort or another thereby disabling full auto operation. But we can't do both at the same time. :stop:

 

Now, if that explanation doesn't cut the mustard or walk the bulldog, then with a "VERY LONG REPLY WARNING" given in advance, read on. But don't anyone say I did not warn them.:

 

AXCL, your theory/theories are based on some basic misunderstandings of the EATC system in general and an idea of how you would like the system to work, not how it actually works. My explanations are based on how the system is designed to work, how it actually operates if operating correctly (keeping in mind possible MyFord/MyFordTouch/other production glitches in mind) and how it is actually explained in the Owners Manual. So what I explained above in previous replies and what I am explaining below is based that assumption that your EATC unit is working as designed and does not have some sort of glitch that will be addressed by software updates.

 

If you reread my [previous reply, you will see that I quoted several passages from the Owners Manual which answer your questions. For the sake of clarity, I will quote your questions/statements, then answer them. And I will certainly try to quote each question in context. Again, please keep in mind that I am only trying to help.

 

1 - "I think we agree that If I use full 'AUTO" and my internal temp doesn't reach what I set it to, then something is wrong." - Yes, we absolutely agree on that. Therefore, what I would like you to do is use the system set to full "AUTO" without touching any other redirect or fan speed buttons on a drive that lasts longer than sat, 20 minutes. Do this on two drive days. If the system warms the cabin up properly, then we have solved the "problem" as being a simple misunderstanding of how the system operates.. If it does not, then your EATC is not working correctly.

 

2 - "Again, this is just based on theory! You seem to know the unit inside and out so, but I don't see anything in the manual that would make me think otherwise, and to me, it wouldn't make sense if it did." - I quoted several passages in the Owners Manual that explain how pressing the "Defroster, fan and other buttons take the system out of "AUTO. I will do so again below to answer a few of your individual questions.

 

3 - "With the Mytouch, I have the ability to have the fan on AUTO, while still manually controlling the vents." - No, you are mistaken. You don't have that ability. That is the major cause of our disconnects concerning on how the system works/is designed. It is actually very simple. While you have the ability to make changes, making those changes takes the system out of full automatic mode so it can no longer efficiently regulate the cabin temperature setting. THis entire discussion really boils down to that. The EATC will only automatically (and efficiently) regulate the overall cabin temperature if left on "AUTO" alone. Once you change any setting, you have manually altered the settings and by definition it is no longer on "AUTO". The only way the system works on "AUTO" is to set it to "AUTO" and leave it there. Hit no other buttons redirecting the air or changing the fan speed. That is why I stated in my previous post (and quoted the Owners Manual), "...for all three EATC systems in the 2011 Edge, the descriptions for the front "Defrost" button operation all end with some variation of this phrase "To return to full automatic control, touch AUTO.". That is because pressing the front defrost button takes the system off "AUTO". The EATC system will not automatically (and efficiently) regulate cabin temperature until you press "AUTO" and return control to the EATC system.

 

4 - "...but I'm looking at the climate control in the same way as a basic (home) heating unit. If you set a home heater to 72, but set the fan low, it will take a lot longer to reach 72 and may not get there," Sorry for the partial quote, but this sort of cuts to the heart of the matter. You need to put that thought out of your head. An automobile system works differently than the home system you describe. In fact, not even all home heating systems work as you described. And even if the Ford EATC did work the same way, you answer your own question with this part of your quote. "it will take a lot longer to reach 72 and may not get there". Exactly, and in the case of a car, it will not get there for several reasons. Cars are not insulated as well as homes. The passengers are sitting less than 1 foot from major glass surfaces (extremely poor temperature insulators). Try this experiment - On a below freezing day, sit in your home for an hour about a foot away form a large window. You will feel much colder than what the rooms ambient temperature is set to. You will feel much colder than you will if you were to move only 6 feet away from that window. Another example (can't perform this test in a baseboard hot-water heated home, unless you shut water valves): Let's say you have a two (or multi) floor home. Block all the first floor heat registers so that only the second floor gets heat. Obviously, the first floor of your home will certainly get colder than the desired temperature, since heat rises and will not fall. Well, this is similar to only having heated air come out the defroster vents. The heat is directed up and will not efficiently reach the passengers. Plus, in your example, you have the system locked in at blowing 72* air once you took the system out of full "AUTO" by pressing the front defroster button.

 

5 - "..but I don't see anything in the manual that would make me think otherwise, and to me, it wouldn't make sense if it did. Also if this wasn't the case, what would the AUTO fan run based on?". Sorry for the repetition and again, for the partial quote. I separated this into two a=sections for the sake of clarity. You seem to be looking for something in the Manual which states something similar to, "Warning: If while the "EATC" system is set to "AUTO", you press any button which redirects the air or changes fan speed, the system will no longer work automatically to control the cabin temperature to the setting displayed on the unit". Well, yes, you re correct that it makes no statement similar to that anywhere in the Owners Manual. So on a stretch, we could fault the Owners Manual as perhaps being a bit vague. However, the "AUTO setting is described in this direct quote taken from the Manual (which I also included in my previous reply) - "AUTO: Touch to engage full automatic operation. Select the desired temperature using the temperature control. The system will automatically determine fan speed, airflow distribution, A/C on or off, and outside or recirculated air, to heat or cool the vehicle in order to reach the desired temperature.". Again, by definition, when combined with the previous Owners Manual quote stating, "...for all three EATC systems in the 2011 Edge, the descriptions for the front "Defrost" button operation all end with some variation of this phrase "To return to full automatic control, touch AUTO.", it becomes clear how the system operates.

 

6 - "I don't see why using it this way should SIGNIFICANTLY effect the Climate controls ability to reach the correct temp, or as I understand you are stating, disable the validity of the temp setting." Again, asked and answered. Taking the system out of "AUTO", by definition, significantly reduces the temperature control efficiency. The EATC system uses specifically placed interior and exterior temperature and sunload sensors to control cabin temperature. If you manually change where and how the air is distributed, the system, is no longer controlling what occurs, so how can you expect it to automatically control things. Again, a car is not insulated like a house. Turn off the heat in the house on a cold day and it will take a full day (and likely much more) for the interior temperature to reach the ambient outside temperature. Turn off the engine and heat in a car and the interior temperature will equal the exterior in as little as an hour (or less). The interior of a car is a very extreme environment,t so therefore the HVAC system is designed to regulate that extreme environment in particular ways. Also, when heat in a car is called for by the EATC, it will generally direct most heat to the floor registers (remember, heat rises). Yes, it will direct flow to the defroster vents, the dash vents or mix things up according to what is needed at the moment, but optimal passenger comfort is achieved by having heat directed to the floor vents (again, heat rises). Manually set the system to front defroster registers only and you screw things up (to put it bluntly) by directing all heat flow up high, leaving you and your passengers feet, legs and bodies in the cold. Yes, of course the cabin will eventually fill with warmer air if the fan is also set high enough, but the warmest air will be up high, with only air that is cooling/cold falling into the footwells (cool/cold air drops). So humorously put, you wind up with warm hair and a cold body, legs and feet.

 

You have to look at it this way. The EATC system gives you great setting flexibility. Among other things, you can:

1 - Set it to "AUTO" and have the system itself automatically/completel/totally control the ambient cabin air temperature. The EATC will automatically decide which registers to use, what fan speed to use and what air temperature is necessary at any particular moment in time according to circumstancesthe EATC system chooses.

2 - You can set it to a particular temperature and manually control where the air is directed and the system will send air heated to the temperature you desired to the place you desired suing the register controls. But this takes the system out of full auto and it will not necessarily get the cabin temperature to the set temperature, especially when the interior and exterior temperatures vary significantly. So in this case 72* heated air through the defroster vents (or other vents) you choose.

3 - You can set it to a particular temperature and manually control how much air is directed out of the system using the fan speed control. But again, this takes the system out of full auto and it will not necessarily get the cabin temperature to the set temperature, especially when the interior and exterior temperatures vary significantly. So in this case, 72* air at the fan speed you choose.

4 - You can set it to a particular temperature and then combine the properties of options 2 & 3 and manually control where and how much air at your desired temperature is distributed by using both the register and fan speed controls. But again, this takes the system out of full auto and it will not necessarily get the cabin temperature to the set temperature, especially when the interior and exterior temperatures vary significantly. So in this case, 72* air from wherever choose, at whatever fan speed you choose.

5 - In certain register settings, you can control whether this heated (or cooled) air is dried of humidity by turning the "A/C" control on or off. This is done by enabling the A/C compressor. Also, the A/C setting is enabled automatically in the "DEFROSTER" position to lower the humidity of the airflow to the windshield, thus drying/defogging the windshield .

6 - With "AUTO" and "A/C" turned off, you can just leave it venting exterior temperature ambient air or heated air on the minimum fan setting or higher, open the windows, shut the whole darn system off, etc. etc..

 

But in the end, the only setting that will entirely control the cabin temperature within system specs is setting it to "AUTO" and leaving it on "AUTO". Once you press another register button to redirect air flow or a fan speed button to increase/decrease air flow, you have taken it out of full automatic mode and hamstrung it's ability to regulate the overall cabin temperature. It will then only blow air heated (or cooled) to your desired temperature to the area you chose, at the air flow you chose. And if your choices are different than the optimum setting that "AUTO' would choose, then the cabin temperature will be adversely affected. While I respect your right to feel otherwise, I don't agree that this is a poor design. It is how Ford (and mot automotive) EATC's have always operated, but has even more flexibility than in the past.

 

Without me going on any longer than this long reply already has: While it is now part of the MyFord/MyFordTouch realm, the EATC system in your Edge operates as all Ford EATC systems do. If you press "AUTO" and do not press any other buttons redirecting the air or changing the fan speed, it will get the cabin temperature to the desired setting (within the system designs margin of error, of course). However, if you redirect the air by manually changing the settings (i.e. hitting the front defrost button) or changing the fan speed, by definition you have now assumed manual control over the system and it will not automatically control the desired temperature and can not operate in full "AUTO" mode. The Owners Manual quotes I have included make this apparent (if perhaps not completely crystal clear).

 

The bottom line? Please do as I asked earlier in this reply. While on a drive of at least 20 minutes, use the EATC system properly as designed. Place it on "AUTO" and leave it alone. If you need to use the front defroster on high to melt ice etc., do so only long enough to melt the ice, then press "AUTO" to return the system to full automatic control (as the Owners Manual clearly states). You will find that the cabin temperature will be automatically controlled and more directly reflect the set temperature. Otherwise, you are continuing to use the system improperly (or at least not as it is designed to be properly used) yet complaining about the results. (BAD ANALOGY WARNING) Until you actually try to use the system as designed, it's like you are trying to use a Phillips head screwdriver to insert a slotted screw, complaining about the poor results, then telling the person who tells you to use the correct tool that they are both called screwdrivers so if it does not work the way I want it to, it is designed poorly. Hey, I warned you a bad analogy was coming.

 

Anyway, try using the system a day or two as it is designed to be used and as I have described. If you still have any complaints with the cabin temperature at that point, then there is likely an issue with your particular vehicle that needs addressing by the Dealership/Ford.

 

And please realize I am not discounting the fact that your EATC may have a glitch/problem and be operating improperly. I am strictly discussing a properly working system.

 

Sorry for the looooong treatise (and repetition), but I am trying to address as much as possible to get the information across. :stats: In doing so, I am trying to answer the questions in as many ways as possible, so that we don't both have to keep repeating ourselves asking/answering the same questions.

 

Let us know how you make out and good luck. :grouphug:

 

PS - I only gave this term paper a very quick proofread, so please excuse any/all grammatical, spelling or typographical errors.

[ryansdad]

Hi AXCL. Thanks you for understanding that I am only trying to help.

 

The short story is pressing any air redirection or fan speed button will take the EATC system out of "full auto" and hamper/alter its ability to warm (or cool) the cabin to a set temperature. It also locks in certain settings that you did not hit buttons for (runs in a partial auto/non-full auto setting). And the larger the variation between the exterior ambient temperature and the temperature the driver sets the EATC system to, the worse this effect will be. This is how Ford EATC systems (and most automotive EATC systems) are designed to operate. By definition, "AUTO" is auto and once you manually choose a setting other than "AUTO" by redirecting air direction or volume, the system is no longer controlling all functions automatically. So it is not operating in/with full automatic function and all bets are off concerning cabin temperature control. We can either leave it in full "AUTO" (and don't touch any other HVAC buttons changing airflow) or have manual control of one sort or another thereby disabling full auto operation. But we can't do both at the same time. :stop:

 

Now, if that explanation doesn't cut the mustard or walk the bulldog, then with a "VERY LONG REPLY WARNING" given in advance, read on. But don't anyone say I did not warn them.:

 

AXCL, your theory/theories are based on some basic misunderstandings of the EATC system in general and an idea of how you would like the system to work, not how it actually works. My explanations are based on how the system is designed to work, how it actually operates if operating correctly (keeping in mind possible MyFord/MyFordTouch/other production glitches in mind) and how it is actually explained in the Owners Manual. So what I explained above in previous replies and what I am explaining below is based that assumption that your EATC unit is working as designed and does not have some sort of glitch that will be addressed by software updates.

 

If you reread my [previous reply, you will see that I quoted several passages from the Owners Manual which answer your questions. For the sake of clarity, I will quote your questions/statements, then answer them. And I will certainly try to quote each question in context. Again, please keep in mind that I am only trying to help.

 

1 - "I think we agree that If I use full 'AUTO" and my internal temp doesn't reach what I set it to, then something is wrong." - Yes, we absolutely agree on that. Therefore, what I would like you to do is use the system set to full "AUTO" without touching any other redirect or fan speed buttons on a drive that lasts longer than sat, 20 minutes. Do this on two drive days. If the system warms the cabin up properly, then we have solved the "problem" as being a simple misunderstanding of how the system operates.. If it does not, then your EATC is not working correctly.

 

2 - "Again, this is just based on theory! You seem to know the unit inside and out so, but I don't see anything in the manual that would make me think otherwise, and to me, it wouldn't make sense if it did." - I quoted several passages in the Owners Manual that explain how pressing the "Defroster, fan and other buttons take the system out of "AUTO. I will do so again below to answer a few of your individual questions.

 

3 - "With the Mytouch, I have the ability to have the fan on AUTO, while still manually controlling the vents." - No, you are mistaken. You don't have that ability. That is the major cause of our disconnects concerning on how the system works/is designed. It is actually very simple. While you have the ability to make changes, making those changes takes the system out of full automatic mode so it can no longer efficiently regulate the cabin temperature setting. THis entire discussion really boils down to that. The EATC will only automatically (and efficiently) regulate the overall cabin temperature if left on "AUTO" alone. Once you change any setting, you have manually altered the settings and by definition it is no longer on "AUTO". The only way the system works on "AUTO" is to set it to "AUTO" and leave it there. Hit no other buttons redirecting the air or changing the fan speed. That is why I stated in my previous post (and quoted the Owners Manual), "...for all three EATC systems in the 2011 Edge, the descriptions for the front "Defrost" button operation all end with some variation of this phrase "To return to full automatic control, touch AUTO.". That is because pressing the front defrost button takes the system off "AUTO". The EATC system will not automatically (and efficiently) regulate cabin temperature until you press "AUTO" and return control to the EATC system.

 

4 - "...but I'm looking at the climate control in the same way as a basic (home) heating unit. If you set a home heater to 72, but set the fan low, it will take a lot longer to reach 72 and may not get there," Sorry for the partial quote, but this sort of cuts to the heart of the matter. You need to put that thought out of your head. An automobile system works differently than the home system you describe. In fact, not even all home heating systems work as you described. And even if the Ford EATC did work the same way, you answer your own question with this part of your quote. "it will take a lot longer to reach 72 and may not get there". Exactly, and in the case of a car, it will not get there for several reasons. Cars are not insulated as well as homes. The passengers are sitting less than 1 foot from major glass surfaces (extremely poor temperature insulators). Try this experiment - On a below freezing day, sit in your home for an hour about a foot away form a large window. You will feel much colder than what the rooms ambient temperature is set to. You will feel much colder than you will if you were to move only 6 feet away from that window. Another example (can't perform this test in a baseboard hot-water heated home, unless you shut water valves): Let's say you have a two (or multi) floor home. Block all the first floor heat registers so that only the second floor gets heat. Obviously, the first floor of your home will certainly get colder than the desired temperature, since heat rises and will not fall. Well, this is similar to only having heated air come out the defroster vents. The heat is directed up and will not efficiently reach the passengers. Plus, in your example, you have the system locked in at blowing 72* air once you took the system out of full "AUTO" by pressing the front defroster button.

 

5 - "..but I don't see anything in the manual that would make me think otherwise, and to me, it wouldn't make sense if it did. Also if this wasn't the case, what would the AUTO fan run based on?". Sorry for the repetition and again, for the partial quote. I separated this into two a=sections for the sake of clarity. You seem to be looking for something in the Manual which states something similar to, "Warning: If while the "EATC" system is set to "AUTO", you press any button which redirects the air or changes fan speed, the system will no longer work automatically to control the cabin temperature to the setting displayed on the unit". Well, yes, you re correct that it makes no statement similar to that anywhere in the Owners Manual. So on a stretch, we could fault the Owners Manual as perhaps being a bit vague. However, the "AUTO setting is described in this direct quote taken from the Manual (which I also included in my previous reply) - "AUTO: Touch to engage full automatic operation. Select the desired temperature using the temperature control. The system will automatically determine fan speed, airflow distribution, A/C on or off, and outside or recirculated air, to heat or cool the vehicle in order to reach the desired temperature.". Again, by definition, when combined with the previous Owners Manual quote stating, "...for all three EATC systems in the 2011 Edge, the descriptions for the front "Defrost" button operation all end with some variation of this phrase "To return to full automatic control, touch AUTO.", it becomes clear how the system operates.

 

6 - "I don't see why using it this way should SIGNIFICANTLY effect the Climate controls ability to reach the correct temp, or as I understand you are stating, disable the validity of the temp setting." Again, asked and answered. Taking the system out of "AUTO", by definition, significantly reduces the temperature control efficiency. The EATC system uses specifically placed interior and exterior temperature and sunload sensors to control cabin temperature. If you manually change where and how the air is distributed, the system, is no longer controlling what occurs, so how can you expect it to automatically control things. Again, a car is not insulated like a house. Turn off the heat in the house on a cold day and it will take a full day (and likely much more) for the interior temperature to reach the ambient outside temperature. Turn off the engine and heat in a car and the interior temperature will equal the exterior in as little as an hour (or less). The interior of a car is a very extreme environment,t so therefore the HVAC system is designed to regulate that extreme environment in particular ways. Also, when heat in a car is called for by the EATC, it will generally direct most heat to the floor registers (remember, heat rises). Yes, it will direct flow to the defroster vents, the dash vents or mix things up according to what is needed at the moment, but optimal passenger comfort is achieved by having heat directed to the floor vents (again, heat rises). Manually set the system to front defroster registers only and you screw things up (to put it bluntly) by directing all heat flow up high, leaving you and your passengers feet, legs and bodies in the cold. Yes, of course the cabin will eventually fill with warmer air if the fan is also set high enough, but the warmest air will be up high, with only air that is cooling/cold falling into the footwells (cool/cold air drops). So humorously put, you wind up with warm hair and a cold body, legs and feet.

 

You have to look at it this way. The EATC system gives you great setting flexibility. Among other things, you can:

1 - Set it to "AUTO" and have the system itself automatically/completel/totally control the ambient cabin air temperature. The EATC will automatically decide which registers to use, what fan speed to use and what air temperature is necessary at any particular moment in time according to circumstancesthe EATC system chooses.

2 - You can set it to a particular temperature and manually control where the air is directed and the system will send air heated to the temperature you desired to the place you desired suing the register controls. But this takes the system out of full auto and it will not necessarily get the cabin temperature to the set temperature, especially when the interior and exterior temperatures vary significantly. So in this case 72* heated air through the defroster vents (or other vents) you choose.

3 - You can set it to a particular temperature and manually control how much air is directed out of the system using the fan speed control. But again, this takes the system out of full auto and it will not necessarily get the cabin temperature to the set temperature, especially when the interior and exterior temperatures vary significantly. So in this case, 72* air at the fan speed you choose.

4 - You can set it to a particular temperature and then combine the properties of options 2 & 3 and manually control where and how much air at your desired temperature is distributed by using both the register and fan speed controls. But again, this takes the system out of full auto and it will not necessarily get the cabin temperature to the set temperature, especially when the interior and exterior temperatures vary significantly. So in this case, 72* air from wherever choose, at whatever fan speed you choose.

5 - In certain register settings, you can control whether this heated (or cooled) air is dried of humidity by turning the "A/C" control on or off. This is done by enabling the A/C compressor. Also, the A/C setting is enabled automatically in the "DEFROSTER" position to lower the humidity of the airflow to the windshield, thus drying/defogging the windshield .

6 - With "AUTO" and "A/C" turned off, you can just leave it venting exterior temperature ambient air or heated air on the minimum fan setting or higher, open the windows, shut the whole darn system off, etc. etc..

 

But in the end, the only setting that will entirely control the cabin temperature within system specs is setting it to "AUTO" and leaving it on "AUTO". Once you press another register button to redirect air flow or a fan speed button to increase/decrease air flow, you have taken it out of full automatic mode and hamstrung it's ability to regulate the overall cabin temperature. It will then only blow air heated (or cooled) to your desired temperature to the area you chose, at the air flow you chose. And if your choices are different than the optimum setting that "AUTO' would choose, then the cabin temperature will be adversely affected. While I respect your right to feel otherwise, I don't agree that this is a poor design. It is how Ford (and mot automotive) EATC's have always operated, but has even more flexibility than in the past.

 

Without me going on any longer than this long reply already has: While it is now part of the MyFord/MyFordTouch realm, the EATC system in your Edge operates as all Ford EATC systems do. If you press "AUTO" and do not press any other buttons redirecting the air or changing the fan speed, it will get the cabin temperature to the desired setting (within the system designs margin of error, of course). However, if you redirect the air by manually changing the settings (i.e. hitting the front defrost button) or changing the fan speed, by definition you have now assumed manual control over the system and it will not automatically control the desired temperature and can not operate in full "AUTO" mode. The Owners Manual quotes I have included make this apparent (if perhaps not completely crystal clear).

 

The bottom line? Please do as I asked earlier in this reply. While on a drive of at least 20 minutes, use the EATC system properly as designed. Place it on "AUTO" and leave it alone. If you need to use the front defroster on high to melt ice etc., do so only long enough to melt the ice, then press "AUTO" to return the system to full automatic control (as the Owners Manual clearly states). You will find that the cabin temperature will be automatically controlled and more directly reflect the set temperature. Otherwise, you are continuing to use the system improperly (or at least not as it is designed to be properly used) yet complaining about the results. (BAD ANALOGY WARNING) Until you actually try to use the system as designed, it's like you are trying to use a Phillips head screwdriver to insert a slotted screw, complaining about the poor results, then telling the person who tells you to use the correct tool that they are both called screwdrivers so if it does not work the way I want it to, it is designed poorly. Hey, I warned you a bad analogy was coming.

 

Anyway, try using the system a day or two as it is designed to be used and as I have described. If you still have any complaints with the cabin temperature at that point, then there is likely an issue with your particular vehicle that needs addressing by the Dealership/Ford.

 

And please realize I am not discounting the fact that your EATC may have a glitch/problem and be operating improperly. I am strictly discussing a properly working system.

 

Sorry for the looooong treatise (and repetition), but I am trying to address as much as possible to get the information across. :stats: In doing so, I am trying to answer the questions in as many ways as possible, so that we don't both have to keep repeating ourselves asking/answering the same questions.

 

Let us know how you make out and good luck. :grouphug:

 

PS - I only gave this term paper a very quick proofread, so please excuse any/all grammatical, spelling or typographical errors.