[rlhammon]

Now that it's finally warming up here in Michigan (we've had 4 80*F days, and all this week and weekend are forecasted as upper 80s), I'm running the fan more in the car. I've only needed to run the A/C once or twice.

Here's my issue... despite having neither A/C or Heat on (or defrost) I see a large (20+ mile) drop in range when turning on the fan. I wouldn't think that running the fan should cause this sort of range drop. In fact, turning on the fan or hitting A/C have the same impact. This leads me to believe that even when I'm trying to bring in fresh air and get a breeze (vs. cracking the windows) that there is a large range impact.

Why is this the case? The fan can't possibly be drawing that much power (same as A/C). Is there some configuration of settings that I'm just not picking to get the fan on without somehow also turning on some additional load?

 

[Bolt2019]

When you choose A/C or heat do the light indicators come on?

I don't notice any real drop in the estimator range when I have just fan on. Definitely when either A/C or heat though.

 

[RichardC]

I've noticed the same range drop when I turn on the fan. Either the AC is really on even though the light is off or there is a computer algorithm that automatically drop the range whenever any of the HVAC buttons are pressed, even just the fan. My feeling is that it is the later. There is no way a fan will drop the range compared to a 5Kw heater but there you have it. I stopped worrying, but just in case I turn my temperature dial about equal to the outside temp to make sure AC is not on.

 

[PhilBo]

Could the auto defog be kicking in?

 

[Jim Fallston Md.]

Now that it's finally warming up here in Michigan (we've had 4 80*F days, and all this week and weekend are forecasted as upper 80s), I'm running the fan more in the car. I've only needed to run the A/C once or twice.

Here's my issue... despite having neither A/C or Heat on (or defrost) I see a large (20+ mile) drop in range when turning on the fan. I wouldn't think that running the fan should cause this sort of range drop. In fact, turning on the fan or hitting A/C have the same impact. This leads me to believe that even when I'm trying to bring in fresh air and get a breeze (vs. cracking the windows) that there is a large range impact.

Why is this the case? The fan can't possibly be drawing that much power (same as A/C). Is there some configuration of settings that I'm just not picking to get the fan on without somehow also turning on some additional load?

Do you have your temperature setting on low or all the way down, That matters.

 

[rlhammon]

I've noticed the same range drop when I turn on the fan. Either the AC is really on even though the light is off or there is a computer algorithm that automatically drop the range whenever any of the HVAC buttons are pressed, even just the fan. My feeling is that it is the later. There is no way a fan will drop the range compared to a 5Kw heater but there you have it. I stopped worrying, but just in case I turn my temperature dial about equal to the outside temp to make sure AC is not on.

At least I'm not the only one with this issue. You describe the same thing I see in my Bolt. No A/C or Heat light on, but yet I see range estimate drop as if they are. I've been doing the same as you with the temperature, trying to set it match the outside air... but usually I've got Android Auto running, and there is no temp display. I find myself hitting the "home" button to see the temperature readout and making adjustments 7-10 times on my 40 minute commute. Seems like a waste to me.

The auto function seems to just run A/C on max until you have ice on the inside of the car... far too aggressive to run it in auto mode. I simply want fresh air from outside blowing on it... that shouldn't have any noticeable power draw compared to driving in a 70 MPH speed limit highway.

 

[rlhammon]

Do you have your temperature setting on low or all the way down, That matters.

All I see is the digital readout associated with the dial. I usually try to keep it near ambient, hoping to prevent the A/C from turning on. I figured if I turn it down below ambient the A/C should kick to auto, and above the Heat should turn on. What should I be doing?

 

[MDBolt]

I've noticed the same range drop when I turn on the fan. Either the AC is really on even though the light is off or there is a computer algorithm that automatically drop the range whenever any of the HVAC buttons are pressed, even just the fan. My feeling is that it is the later. There is no way a fan will drop the range compared to a 5Kw heater but there you have it. I stopped worrying, but just in case I turn my temperature dial about equal to the outside temp to make sure AC is not on.

You may be on to something here. What I've noticed is that when you turn on the AC system with the AC on, it drops the GOM some, but if you turn the AC off (but leaving the fans on), you gain some of the range back.

 

[Jim Fallston Md.]

All I see is the digital readout associated with the dial. I usually try to keep it near ambient, hoping to prevent the A/C from turning on. I figured if I turn it down below ambient the A/C should kick to auto, and above the Heat should turn on. What should I be doing?

The button that has the set temp. on it turn it to the left until it says low.

 

[rlhammon]

The button that has the set temp. on it turn it to the left until it says low.

I'll try that tonight on my way home... it seems counterintuitive to turn it to "low" if I'm trying to get fresh air in without A/C though.

 

[GJETSON]

Our 2017 does not do that, and the AC compressor definitely doesn't come on with only air selected, as shown by Torque Pro. Can't speak for 2019s, as they redid the HVAC software. As mentioned, make sure you have auto defog turned off under vehicle settings. Also make sure you don't have an orange light on in the temperature control knob. This indicates you have depressed the knob and engaged automatic climate control. The recirculate symbol on the bottom of the screen would also change to saying auto.

 

[PhilBo]

I'll try that tonight on my way home... it seems counterintuitive to turn it to "low" if I'm trying to get fresh air in without A/C though.

As long as the Heat & A/C Power Button (light) is off, turning the temperature control all the way down to low should not turn on the air conditioning.

 

[Bolt2019]

So I had to look for my curiosity. While parked, press brake pedal, press On button, (release brake,) everything turns on, about 16C (60F) outside , all HVAC stuff off, temp dial set to 23C (73F). (wouldn't it be nice to have an interior thermometer)

Press the On button of the HVAC on the left side. Fan comes on. Adjust fan speed, turn dial up to HI, turn dial down to LO and I see no change in the range.
Press auto in that dial...bam...down it goes. Seems to want heat when set to 23C.
I wonder about the defog and seat settings too then. Mine are off.


Maybe connect the car to your house wifi or phone hotspot and check for updates.

 

[Blue Wyvern]

Since I've seen a few weeks of 90F to 98F days, when I turn on the fan ONLY, it's instantly cold- that tells me the car is using battery conditioning, the interesting bit is sometimes it doesn't register that it's using it if it only kicks on for a couple minutes.

I have also noticed, if you use FAN ONLY, even set close to ambient, the car more readily uses battery conditioning- which is actually good for the car.

A trick I do is I will have FAN ONLY slightly below ambient, on lowest speed, when I feel it cool down suddenly, I roll up my windows and cool off until it gets warm again, then roll down the windows.

Also, having Defrost on sometimes automatically kicks on the compressor, so I use the front vent only.

 

[ZoomZoom]

I have the auto-defroster/defogger feature off. I have never seen the GOM go down for turning on the FAN at any speed with the A/C or HEAT off.
HOWEVER, if I turn the temp dial to the lowest setting. I believe that I saw the GOM go down and the air blowing felt air conditioned. The A/C was off.

 

[glassTransition]

I too was experiencing an unexpected drop in the GOM estimate with only the fan on and with the temperature set to Low. After some reading here I checked the settings and sure enough, auto defog was on. I disabled it and things started working predictably. Until yesterday...

It was a hot day (92 F +) and while sitting in standstill traffic I noticed the air from the vents suddenly felt much cooler than ambient. I turned off the fan and the GOM remained constant but I could tell that the AC must be running. I switched to the Energy display and it showed -0.6 miles for climate control even though I'd never turned it on. It very slowly (after a few minutes) went to -0.7 at which point I turned the fan off and it stopped changing.

I also surmized that battery cooling logic was the culprit although I don't have any hard evidence. It's not like this is really a problem. Many of us are hypersensitive to any range impacts I think at least from the perspective of understanding why and from the desire to be in control.

 

[rlhammon]

Could the auto defog be kicking in?

Thanks for this!

Confirmed this morning this was the case. The issue happened yesterday and while driving I couldn't really dig through the settings. I found out where in the menu this was, and then this morning when it started happening I pulled over, turned the auto-defog off, and instantly the behaviour reverted back to what I had expected.

Thanks!

 

[Albemarle]

Sure wish the heating/cooling system wasn’t so automatic, especially when you want to have control over every function. This is why we put on window vents. They are great for leaving windows a bit open even in the rain. Has cut down on AC use.

 

[Raymondjram]

"Can you have fresh air without impacting range?"

Only if you are still.

 

[David T. Middleton]

I am experiencing something similar to others experiences here. On a long trip yesterday in my '19 Bolt following a quick charge at the Electrify America Chicopee Ma station in a wild thunderstorm, climate seemed to behave as if it was in auto despite not being turned on (heat, AC not on). It seemed I was getting heat at times. Definitely a range drop when the fan was turned on. I wanted some ventilation but needed every mile as I was anticipating the stretch from the charger just west of Albany to home in central New York. My charge there did not seem to yield the expected range and even my charge at home seemed to yield a range more like winter, 210mi. I would expect some drop from all the highway driving but not that much. I left three days earlier with 290 mi on the GOM! I would just like some indication that climate is in auto or not!