Honest opinions (AC control via screen)

[red line fun]

Hi All

Not posted here for ages! Looking for some forum member feedback.

Currently running a MK2 FR TDi I've had since new, 2008. Alas, its time on our roads is coming to an end

I'm looking at the MK4. However please understand I'm edging into the 'old boy' age category and the thought of doing far near everything via the screen doesn't exactly appeal. However I understand, it's progress!

One thing I would definitely rather have physical buttons and dials for is the AC.

I've read mixed reviews elsewhere about what it's like controlling it via the screen, some saying it's rubbish, others saying you get used to it.

How do you guys/girls find it? Is it as easily usable as systems with physical buttons? Even if not, how much worse is it to live with day to day?

Cheers

 

[James_R]

Once everything boots up, the climate settings are accessed via a button on the main screen and everything from there works pretty well.

 

[Richiepoos]

Annoying - yes. Would it stop me from having a MK4 - nope!

 

[Railwayman]

I’m in the old boy category and the screen is ok once you get used to it. The AC is easy to use because you just set it to auto. If you need to up or lower the temp you don’t have to go into the screen, as there are plus and minus buttons (touch not physical) below it. There’s also a handy panel to the right of the steering wheel that allows you to demist the windscreen (amongst other things) without using the infotainment screen.

 

[red line fun]

Thanks all, puts my mind at rest a bit

 

[trucker0werner]

To be honest only thing that I change over the whole year is the temperature. In the summer on 21degrees and winter 19degrees. Rest it wil do automatically.
Under the screen there are buttons to do it directly. Swipe left and right and you can change the value. Hit the button on steering wheel and mentioned "set temperature to 22degrees" is also possible.

Because of hybride I also use set temp on surtain time of the day. Then it will not be hot or cold when you step inside the car.

 

[MR T]

I have a 21 plate with the older screen so I don't know how the newer version is but it takes getting used to that's for sure.
The temperature can be raised or lowered from the sliders bar at the bottom which is fine, apart from at night because it's not back-lit. The main issue I have is that I have android auto on screen constantly so I have to press the climate button to get to the climate screen then press whatever control I need.
If you have the screen displaying climate as 1 of the three options in your screen it cuts out a step.
The other issue is and just climate you have to wait for the screen to boot up which is mildly annoying.
The fact VW are publicly coming away from it tells you all you need to know.

 

[BoomerBoom]

Taking your eyes off the road to find the right icon is a stupid design and impossible in the dark. Breathing recycled air all the time unless you dig through the menu for fresh air - or argue a few times with the voice control.

Compared to the MK3 the AC on the MK4 really sucks, just to cut costs, but they've not fixed it for even the latest facelift, just tinkered a little to meet the safety rating minimums.

Hopefully the mk5 will return physical controls, like other manufacturers have, but VW have a peculiar arrogance about the human interface design so I'm not confident.

 

[trucker0werner]

@BoomerBoom
The change that the buttons will return on other cars are slim.
It is easier and cheaper to make a screen that can control everything. Having extra physical buttons is an extra part that needs to be designed and made.

But this all is just what the person prefers. same with automatic gearbox and EV car's. Some people hate is and some love it.

In my opion there is not a lot wrong with the AC system on the mk4 facelift. Only some times think it is cooling instead of doing nothing because the temp is actually good. After 5min you feel that the heater has been turned on and get hotter air out of the vent.

Previous car ford focus mk4 I had physical buttons, but never changed it actually.
Only the front electrical windshieldheater sometimes, for obvious reason

 

[SRGTD]

Taking your eyes off the road to find the right icon is a stupid design and impossible in the dark. Breathing recycled air all the time unless you dig through the menu for fresh air - or argue a few times with the voice control.

My non-VAG car (French , Renault , ) has physical controls for heating, ventilation and air con and it’s so easy to adjust temperature, direction of airflow etc. by touch alone without having to take your eyes off the road while driving. AFAIK Renault haven’t ever gone down the path of everything accessible via a touchscreen and physical HVAC controls continue to feature in newly launched cars in their model range.

In my car, I can also permanently switch off those annoying (IMHO) nannying driver aids, and they were switched off on day one of ownership of the car.

 

[LeoSlo]

I was also a bit touchy about all this everything-via-a-screen. But honestly, talking about AC, for me it's a set-and-forget kinda thing. I have it on auto all the time, so my main fiddling is mostly with setting it between 21C and 23C only, which is the same hastle as with regular buttons - none.
A more annoying thing for me is that you have to access 2 menus before you can turn off Start/Stop and Lane assist.. THAT is annoying... But a little playing around with OBD should solve this, I guess.

All in all it's not a deal breaker for me, works well, works always, not much hassle.

 

[BoomerBoom]

That's kind of my point, the climate control in my MK3 did exactly that - you set it to 21 and it stayed comfortable 99% of the time.

In both the MK4's I've had you have to keep changing the temperature, often the fan speed and fresh air as well. It isn't really climate control anymore to save fuel consumption, plus doing all this via a screen is a PITA.

 

[djgc]

That's kind of my point, the climate control in my MK3 did exactly that - you set it to 21 and it stayed comfortable 99% of the time.

In both the MK4's I've had you have to keep changing the temperature, often the fan speed and fresh air as well. It isn't really climate control anymore to save fuel consumption, plus doing all this via a screen is a PITA.

More than four years with Leon ST MK4 and I never encountered any problems that you describe with AC. Worked always as I wanted. As to the screen, there is a very easy solution. MIB3 infotainment understands about 100 different commands for changing settings, including AC, through voice control. Changing any AC settings does not require touching or even looking at the screen at all.

 

[SRGTD]

More than four years with Leon ST MK4 and I never encountered any problems that you describe with AC. Worked always as I wanted. As to the screen, there is a very easy solution. MIB3 infotainment understands about 100 different commands for changing settings, including AC, through voice control. Changing any AC settings does not require touching or even looking at the screen at all.

Be aware that voice control can sometimes struggle to understand strong local accents or regional dialects, so may not work for everyone. I have a friend from Glasgow and they have a strong Scottish (Glaswegian) accent; they only have limited success when trying to use voice control.

 

[LeoSlo]

That's kind of my point, the climate control in my MK3 did exactly that - you set it to 21 and it stayed comfortable 99% of the time.

In both the MK4's I've had you have to keep changing the temperature, often the fan speed and fresh air as well. It isn't really climate control anymore to save fuel consumption, plus doing all this via a screen is a PITA.

I also had an MK3, and between them both, I haven't spotted anything different at all. I operated the AC on both exactly the same.
The reason I said that I fiddle with temp between 21 and 23 isn't because of the car, but because of the difference between the temp inside the car and the outside temp. I always try to avoid temperature shock, so if possible, I maintain the temp difference up to 7-8 degrees MAX. to prevent myself (and the occupants) from falling ill due to AC blasting.

I have had my MK4 for about 6 months now, and I can change the temp on that touch-sensitive slide almost without looking for it, which is the same as with a dial knob on my MK3.

EDIT: when I said I try to maintain temp difference, I meant I try to keep it equal inside-outside. But when it's 35+ outside, it's not really comfortable cranking it up to 27 inside the car