I'm the proud owner of a recently purchased 1997 F-150 XLT extended cab, long bed 4X4, with the 4.6L...I'm a little confused about the air conditioning controls, and would like some help.
The truck has air conditioning with the contol **** reading left to right...Max a/c, A/c, Panel, Off, Panel & floor, floor, Flr & Def, Def

Of course with the hot weather that's hit us, I've been using the A/C a little and it works great. My question is, shouln't the A/C compressor only come on with the control either set on Max A/C, A/C, or the Def mode??? It appears that the A/C does not come on when switched to PANEL, however when set to Panel & floor it appears that the compressor is running and cold air coming out of the vents. I don't believe that on Panel & floor the A/C should be coming on, but it looks like it is.....Is this normal??? the reason I'm asking is I'm trying to check my mileage and want to do it with the A/C off for maximum mileage. Any help appreciated.
Sorry about the long windedness, but I wanted to clarify this with you Guru's of F-150's...........Thanks

 

when i have mine set to panel & floor, with the temp gauge all the way cold, there's some pretty cool air coming out of the vents. I'm not sure if the a/c is actually on, or if the air just gets cooled some other way.

 

Don,
the bad news is your compressor is running like Ford wants it to which means you can't get that optimum MPG you seek without a little discomfort.

the good news is, your MPG will be up just a little because the truck must not be weighted down with an owners manual in the glovebox!

(Just kidding with you, Don )

Seriously, your MPG will probably still be down because the previous owner shoved the owners manual up under the seat!

(Still kidding you, Don)

The compressor runs in all modes except Panel and Floor
(I think,...actually I threw out the manual to get better MPG because my compressor is always running.)

{not kidding that time, Don}

 

air conditioning, i forgot what that felt like! my air conditioner consists of lowering my windows

 

I almost wanna get one of those 12 volt portable icebox-type air conditioners... my sister and her 2 youngns are comin up for the summer from New Orleans and i feel bad having the kids sit in an oven.....

those air conditioners are only like 300something dollars....heres a link...

http://www.swampy.net/12vcombo.html

 

Matt, I am a big fan of the '260 A/C'. 2 windows, 60 mph!

 

Thanks guys for your help.......evidently Ford wants us to wear out our compressors quicker than normal, and suffer worse mileage!.....I guess there is some logical reason for the compressor being on when switched to Panel & Floor, but I don't know what it is.....I kept reading and searching the owner's manual for clarification, but it didn't say squat hardly!!!

 

Another "by design" setup. I keep thinking I should put a switch in the line to "let" the compressor come on when I want it to.