I have a micro-hybrid question?

[SPDYII]

I keep reading that the micro-hybrid is really great. It sounds good to me and I know that it won't be available here for a while. The question I have is how does it work with the AC? I live in Texas and in the summer time I have to have AC. Will the micro-hybrid work with the AC on or not. If not it would be a deal breaker for me. I haven't seen this discussed any where else, so if someone knows the answer please share is. Thank you!

[JPaul]

The mhd can be turned off at a flip of a switch where the coin slot is. If a prolonged stop turns the AC off, just flip the switch, and the engine should/can be restarted. Does that answer your question, SPDYII?

[SPDYII]

JPaul,

Thank you for the quick answer. I guess I'm a little slow though and I'm still have trouble understanding. If I'm driving my car with the AC on and I approach a stop light the engine will stop running once the car is stopped and the AC will quit also. Then when the light turns green and I step on the gas, the engine and the AC will restart automatically. Is this right? Will the battery be able to start the engine and the AC cold like that? Wouldn't that damage something? Sorry if this is a dumb question.

[BigWarpGuy]

Wouldn't the engine start up when the charge is low? If they AC caused the charge to go low, would not the engine start to recharge it?

[jesse]

SPDYII, also keep in the mind that the AC in the Smart is an electrical system, not pulley/belt driven. So when the engine shuts off, the AC will still blow cold. When the battery starts to die, I can only assume that the Smart is smart (hehe) enough to know to turn itself back on.

[SPDYII]

OK, now I think I understand. Thanks everyone!

[Gortok]

The A/C won't work without the engine running.

The car will start to get warm sitting at a long light. Setting the vents to MAX or Recirc ON, will keep the car cooler longer because it won't be pushing fresh (warm) air in.

If it get to hot after trying this, you'll have to disable the MHD by switching it off. This, in essence keeps the engine running all the time.

This will cause you to use gas like a normal smart, but on those cooler, windows down days, you'll still be able to use the option...

[Karl Roth]

Originally Posted by jesse

SPDYII, also keep in the mind that the AC in the Smart is an electrical system, not pulley/belt driven. So when the engine shuts off, the AC will still blow cold. When the battery starts to die, I can only assume that the Smart is smart (hehe) enough to know to turn itself back on.

Jesse the gas cars have an engine driven compressor like most everything else, the electric test cars have an electric AC unit. Hope that helps
karl

[SmartCard]

I wonder what type of delay the mhd has.....surely if you come to a 4 way stop, and have to wait a few seconds the engine won't turn off , would it? Maybe only after 5 seconds...10 seconds?

[JPaul]

Not entirely true. The mhd stops the engine when... I better find a more educated explanation than mine.
From the smart.com UK site:

The mhd switches the engine off as soon as you brake and fall below a speed of 5 mph. When the time comes to set off again, take your foot off the brake pedal and the engine seamlessly restarts, automatically engaged in first gear ready to continue your journey.

That explains also the ease of use of the switch, so you can turn it off in slow stop-and-go traffic...