eger

In my 08 A3 I cannot seem to figure out how to just let cold air in from the outside without running the A/C. I put the climate controls on ECON, fan low, auto off, and temp all the way down. It still feels like the heater is on and blows warm air in (considerably warmer than outside).

So what is the deal? Is this possible? If it is colder outside obviously I shouldn't need to run the A/C compressor right?

ScottAW

I run with Auto/Econ-on all the time for fresh air, works fine. Usually at 68 deg.F.

divo_2.0T

I just crack the sunroof when it's cooler than 19ºC (~68F) outside. Same idea, and if you just press it once it's still pretty silent but VERY effective at pulling stale air out.

Set your fan to a very low setting w/ econ on and recirc off, and you'll have cool fresh air.

The fan's pushing in air from the engine bay - warm engine = warm air. Yay thermodynamics!

dfrost

Actually, the air is coming from the base of the windshield, not the engine bay.