Vauxhall Corsa Air Conditioning Button? The 80 Top Answers

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So what are the different types of AC and what do they all do? Let us explain…

Now that the sunny weather is finally here, staying cool in the car is more important than other times of the year. While lowering the windows, sliding the sunroof back, or – on certain cars – folding the roof away completely might seem like a good option to keep the heat at bay, there’s really only one way to do it right – and it’s this is the air conditioning.

Some cars have more complex climate control systems than others, ranging from manual climate control to automatic climate control, but all have a variety of buttons to control them…

What is air conditioning?

What is climate control?

What is climate control (climate control)?

zone air conditioning.

What do the symbols on my car air conditioner mean?

Why Should You Maintain Your Car Air Conditioner?

Car air conditioning tips

Air conditioners and air conditioners keep your car at a constant temperature. In its simplest form, manual climate control, you choose whether you want it cooler or hotter than it is currently inside by manually determining the fan speed and air distribution, and this will be the same temperature throughout the car.

A car’s air conditioning works by cooling the ventilated air with a refrigerant gas, which then circulates through your car to cool it, helping to filter out pollen, pollutants and bacteria.

Climate control in a car allows you to set the desired interior temperature by using additional sensors and a computer to provide more precise interior temperature control.

Automatic climate control provides electronic control of temperature, airflow and air distribution inside the vehicle by automatically controlling fan speed and airflow.

When buying a car, you may have already come across the terms “two-zone climate control” and “three-zone climate control”, maybe even “quad-zone” Drivers and passengers can control their own “microclimate” inside the car.

Dual zone climate control in a car separates the car into left and right halves, allowing you to control both zones or adjust them separately.

The 3-zone automatic climate control separates the left and right front passengers as well as the passengers in the second row in the back of the car, so that all passengers can choose their own individual climate.

In some cars, you have the option to adjust the climate control for each seating zone, meaning each side of the second row gets individual controls, or in a 3-row vehicle, both the second and third rows of seats can adjust temperature, fan speed, and Adjust the direction of the air to suit your needs.

Do you have an intimate understanding of your car’s air conditioning system, or are you guilty of haphazardly pressing car buttons and hoping that this will make the air feel more comfortable? If you’ve read your car’s manual to learn how to operate the air conditioning, you may want to know what these generic air conditioning symbols mean.

Here’s what the main car air conditioning symbols mean…

The snowflake button is one of the most important for controlling the air conditioner. Why? Well, it turns on the system for starters. Pressing the AC snowflake icon activates the AC and starts the AC pump, which pulls heat and moisture out of the air before it stays cooler than before.

One thing to note – you must turn on the air blowers for the air conditioner to start.

The fan symbol indicates the force at which air is being blown through the vehicle’s ventilation openings. Where there are two symbols, one outline only and one solid, the solid symbol indicates higher strength.

The icon, made up of wavy lines intersecting an upside down curved trapezium (to represent the windshield), is the windshield defroster function. Enabling this will trigger the vents at the bottom of the windshield to eject hot air, gradually heating the glass and eliminating condensation and frost to defog your car’s windshield.

The button with wavy lines intersecting a rectangle activates the rear window defrost function.

Pressing the button showing an arrow pointing at a person’s face will limit the air to blowing only through the vents, which are at chest level on the dash.

The button with an arrow pointing at a person’s feet only blows air through the vents under the dashboard and under the seats to the passengers in the back row.

See that button on your dashboard with a picture of a car and a curved arrow? Do you want to make your car as cool as possible? You’re going to want to use that button, the recirculation button. “But what is the air recirculation button in a car?” we hear you ask! Well, it recycles the cold air produced by the air conditioner instead of pulling the warmer air inside the car from the outside. When used correctly, using the air recirculation button can help save fuel.

The longer the air recirculation button is on, the cooler your car gets. Just make sure you don’t use them when it gets chilly outside. This is because the air conditioning needs to bring fresh air into the cabin and reduce the humidity inside – hence window fogging is more likely to happen. If your windshield and windows are fogging up, be sure to check the air recirculation button is off.

When the dart enters the car from the outside, the heating, ventilation and air conditioning system draws in air from outside the vehicle. If you don’t see this icon, your car will automatically when the air recirculation button is off.

Most new cars sold today are equipped with automatic air conditioning. This means the onboard system recognizes the desired cabin temperature you have set and constantly adjusts the air conditioning to ensure it is maintained.

The sync button, in turn, applies to vehicles equipped with dual-zone climate control. Since the driver and passenger can both choose different temperatures, this could mean that one side of the car could be extremely hot and the other freezing cold.

Clicking the ‘Sync’ button aligns the two temperatures – meaning the cabin is one consistent heat instead of two.

An air conditioning service can help keep your air conditioner in top condition. This includes draining and re-gassing the system; disinfect; Check the hoses, filters, belts, and fittings to make sure there aren’t any small cracks that could allow the gas to leak, and check the compressor and condenser performance.

Why Should You Maintain Your Car Air Conditioner?

The refrigerant gas volatilizes and if you don’t replace the lost gas your air conditioner will become less and less effective and less efficient which can increase fuel consumption.

An effective car air conditioner maintains the cool temperature inside the car and makes the environment moisture-free.

The air conditioner protects you from dangerous air pollution and health problems by filtering the air.

In winter, cars usually have visibility problems due to fog. Air conditioning is needed to regulate the indoor temperature and ensure your safety.

Ideally, an air conditioning service should be carried out every 2 years.

What tips are there for the effective use of Climate Control & A/C?

Air conditioning is one of those features in our cars that we take for granted—until it packs up. A broken air conditioner is not only uncomfortable and sweaty, it can also be very expensive to fix. So it’s worth knowing whether it works or not. And there are some very easy ways to check this.

Turn it on

The air conditioning does not work when the engine is not running. Start the engine, press the A/C button on the dash, turn it down to be as cold as possible, then press the air recirculation button. This is a loop arrow (in the middle of the right button below).

After a few minutes, the air flowing through the vents into the cockpit should be ice cold. You can do this without driving.

Look under the hood

Assuming the car is safely parked with the brakes on, let go of the hood. Get out and open the hood to check the air conditioning. You should hear the engine RPM rise and fall accompanied by a clicking sound. This is the turning on and off of the air conditioning compressor. You might want to get someone in the car to turn the air conditioning off and back on to accomplish this.

The compressor is the heart of the air conditioning system and takes the refrigerant as a low-pressure gas and compresses it into the condenser. If you know what the air conditioner looks like, you can check that too. Two metal tubes will come out, one thicker than the other. This thicker tube should be cold to the touch. Be especially careful not to injure yourself on hot or moving parts.

What could be the problem

If the air coming through the vents isn’t very cold, it can have several problems. The gas may have leaked over time; about 10% leak from a healthy system each year. This is the easiest problem to solve: you just take it to a workshop, they charge the system with refrigerant and you’re on your way with the air conditioning working.

However, a more serious leak may occur. Air conditioners have seals that can dry out, especially when the air conditioner is not in use, allowing the gas to escape.

Another serious culprit could be the capacitor. This looks like a small radiator and is usually located in front of the engine’s radiator. Unfortunately, the condenser’s location means it’s vulnerable to rocks and other debris that can be shot into the engine bay from vehicles ahead. You may be able to tell from the traces of dirt whether the refrigerant has leaked. Or maybe not.

How much if the air conditioner doesn’t work?

This depends on what the problem is. If the system simply needs to be refueled, you can have this done from around £50 depending on the car.

If there is a leak and you need a new condenser it can cost up to £800 if you go to a franchised dealer. Independent specialists will be cheaper but you still won’t get much change from £400 as the front of the car usually has to be dismantled.

Evolution of the car air conditioning system

Air conditioning is standard on almost every car sold in the US today. Even if you’re driving around sweating in a sweltering hot car, it’s usually not because the vehicle doesn’t have air conditioning; It’s because the air conditioning that it has is broken.

Yet for much of automotive history, air conditioning has been either a state-of-the-art luxury or a sci-fi writer’s dream. Today’s car air conditioners are the result of a century of invention and improvement. To give you an idea of ​​where we’re coming from, here’s a look back at the history and science of in-car cool.

1886 – The first patent for a series automobile is granted. The vehicle lacks many of the things one would expect from a car today: it has no windshield, no roof, no doors, no steering wheel, no gas or brake pedals and only has three wheels. Needless to say, it doesn’t have air conditioning either.

1886 Benz Patent Motor Car.

1903 – A Packard Model F, nicknamed “Old Pacific,” becomes only the second car to travel coast-to-coast (a two-month trip at the time). Although cars still don’t have an enclosed cabin, the driver has put up a large umbrella to provide shade and make hot desert traverses at least a little cooler.

1919 – The Kool Kooshion seat cover uses small springs to keep drivers about half an inch above the car seat, allowing air to circulate beneath them and behind their backs. It basically evaporates the sweat on your back and helps keep you cool. In fact, the Kool Kooshion is still sold at major retailers today.

1921 – The Knapp Limo-Sedan Fan is a small electric fan that can be built into the interior of a car (since most cars are now enclosed). However, such fans still do not cool the air; They simply create a breeze and help evaporate sweat.

1930 – The “car cooler” uses the evaporation of water (instead of your own sweat) to cool the air, which is then blown through the open passenger side window. Despite being the first device to actually lower air temperature, it only works in areas with very low humidity – and it looks like you’ve got a vacuum strapped to the side of your car.

Thermador car cooler. photo source.

1939 – Packard becomes the first car manufacturer to offer air conditioning as an option. The cooling system is located in the trunk, not the dashboard, and you must manually install or remove the drive belt from the air conditioning compressor to turn the system on or off. The option costs $274 at a time when the average annual income is $1,368. That and the start of World War II means the option is short-lived.

1953 – Eight years after the end of the war, A/C makes a definitive return to the automotive industry. Several manufacturers offer air conditioners as an option, all of which are rear-mounted systems not significantly different from those Packard used in 1939.

1953 Chrysler Imperial with factory installed “Airtemp” system in the trunk. photo source.

1954 – Pontiac and Nash become the first two companies to install the A/C system in the front of their cars instead of in the trunk. The Nash system combined the heating and air conditioning into one in-dash system and established the standard that most cars have followed ever since.

1964 – Cadillac introduces Comfort Control. For the first time, drivers can set a preferred temperature and the system will automatically adjust the air conditioning or heating output to keep the cabin at that temperature.

1964 Cadillac Series 62 six window sedan. photo source.

1968 – The AMC Ambassador is the first car to have air conditioning as a standard feature rather than as an additional option.

1969 – Over half of all American cars now have air conditioning.

1970 – Interdynamics (IDQ) is founded and manufactures the first do-it-yourself automotive air conditioning kits.

1987 – Concerns about ozone depletion lead to the signing of the Montreal Protocol, providing a plan for the phasing out of the R-12 refrigerant used in most air conditioning systems.

Members of the Canadian delegation at the historic signing in 1987. Photo source.

1994 – All new automotive air conditioning systems must use R-134a refrigerant, not R-12.

2003 – IDQ launches all-in-one DIY solutions for car air conditioner repair. A single can tops up the system with R-134a, seals leaks, eliminates corrosive moisture and replaces lost lubricant—all in about 10 minutes, with no special tools required.

Today – Although there are discussions about potential new refrigerants that could be used in the future, automotive air conditioning has remained largely the same over the past two decades. More than a million people have used our all-in-one charging kits to repair their car air conditioners, saving hundreds of millions of dollars overall.

If you have any questions about refrigerants, want to know how car air conditioning works or need to charge your car’s system with A/C Pro, please feel free to contact us or connect via Facebook and Twitter.

Although the Vauxhall Corsa SXi gets sporty-looking trim and a choice of petrol or diesel, and manual or automatic transmission, it just can’t keep up with its rivals. It feels very dated, and it’s not the best to drive in this class either – we’d recommend a Ford Fiesta Zetec instead.

The Vauxhall Corsa SXi is available in either a 3-door or 5-door version and with a range of petrol and diesel engines. It sits below the Corsa SRi in the range and offers equipment designed to make the car feel sportier than the lower specification models, but without the SRi’s harsh sport suspension. The engines featured in the Vauxhall Corsa SXi (not shown) include 1.2 and 1.4 liter petrols and a 1.3 liter diesel with a range of power outputs ranging from the 84hp 1.2i to the 99hp 1.4i hp This fastest version of the Vauxhall Corsa SXi can go from 0 to 62mpg in 11.9 seconds, which is pretty slow, and since the fastest version is so sluggish you don’t get much push from the lower powered versions either. The best option to go with if you’re worried about fuel economy is to go for the 1.3CDTi diesel as it can return 74mpg when equipped with manual gearbox and Stop-Start technology. However, this engine feels cowardly and is noisy in the cabin. The best engine for the Corsa is probably the 1.7-litre diesel, but that’s not available in the SXi trim but the budget option for those looking for a Corsa SXi is the 1.2-litre petrol with 84 hp, which starts at £13,520. However, because the SXi is a higher trim level, it comes with plenty of standard equipment. These include 16-inch alloy wheels, fog lights, tinted windows, a chrome exhaust pipe, cruise control, and tinted headlights and taillights for a sportier look. Air conditioning and stop-start are available on the Corsa SXi a/c and s/s models. Inside the Corsa SXi you get sporty looking seats and dials, a leather steering wheel, 60/40 function trip computer. All of this kit is in addition to what is offered in the lower specification models, such as steering wheel mounted audio controls, heated door mirrors, a CD/MP3 player and daytime running lights. The Vauxhall Corsa SXi has a decent interior and it’s relatively uncluttered, but the design feels dated compared to the Ford Fiesta and Volkswagen Polo. When it comes to driving fun, too, the Corsa falls short of its rivals, being designed more as an A-to-B speedster than a fun-to-drive supermini. It has a comfortable driving position, easy controls and a compact body, which means it’s best suited for city driving. Choose a Ford Fiesta if you value your time driving on the open road. Opening the tailgate reveals a useful low loading sill and competitive 285 liters of boot space. Fold the rear seats flat and the capacity increases to 1,100 liters (or 1,050 for the three-door).

If you’re driving in a heat wave, it’s a good idea to turn on your air conditioning and recirculation to ensure your air conditioning gets as cold as possible as quickly as possible.

If you don’t turn on the air recirculation switch, your air conditioner is constantly cooling warm air from outside your vehicle and has to work much harder, putting more strain on the blower and air compressor.

It works by circulating the cool air you get from your air conditioner when you first turn it on. The longer it’s on, the cooler your vehicle gets! When you’re not using it, the car is using the outside air, which is much warmer, and your air conditioning is working harder and continuously to cool the hot air.

If your air conditioner has to work harder, you increase fuel consumption and your cabin doesn’t reach the optimal cold level of the air conditioner. You will also excessively wear out your air conditioning compressor.

During the summer months, getting in the car and cranking up the air conditioning is second nature to him. But did you know that you can and should use your air conditioner in winter too? While this may sound contradictory, there are many instances where using your car’s air conditioning system in conjunction with the heat is beneficial. So, should you leave the heater on in your car with the air conditioning on?

The answer is yes. The air conditioning system in your car is designed to work in conjunction with cold air and warm air. When you have your air conditioner on, it helps dehumidify the incoming air, making it drier. This is ideal for misting or defrosting your windows and reducing humidity levels in your vehicle.

If you want to learn more about how this works and when you should and shouldn’t use your air conditioner with the heat, keep reading to learn more.

What does the AC button do?

Before delving into the benefits of using AC and heat at the same time, it’s important to understand what the AC button actually does. As mentioned above, in addition to quickly cooling the interior of your car, the AC button also dehumidifies your car.

When you press the AC button in your car, your vehicle’s air conditioning system will be activated. This means that all air coming out of your vents first goes through your air conditioning system where it is compressed and dehumidified. Depending on requirements, the air is also cooled or heated before it enters the interior of your car. This dehumidified air is much drier than it would be if it hadn’t been passed through your air conditioner. Because the air is drier, it amplifies the cooling or warming effect afterwards, making for a more comfortable interior.

Related articles:

When is it beneficial to use both AC and heat at the same time?

The simultaneous use of alternating current and heat offers many advantages. Here are the most beneficial cases where you would use both.

Heat and air conditioning in cold weather

Using air conditioning in the winter (and any time you experience cold weather) with the addition of your heater can be beneficial in a number of ways. The myth that you damage your vehicle by using heat and air conditioning at the same time is false. It’s perfectly okay to use your AC system in cold weather.

interior air conditioning

As explained earlier, the simultaneous use of air conditioning and heat can control the interior climate. Instead of keeping your car hot and humid, you can use the air conditioner to dehumidify the air while the heat then pushes hot, dry air through your interior. You can adjust the heat higher or lower until you have your preferred temperature.

Avoid servicing the cooling system

Failure to run your air conditioning system on a regular basis can cause problems in your cooling system. Refrigerant can leak if your air conditioner is not used for a while, and using your air conditioner in the winter will keep your compressor seals lubricated. Using your air conditioner during the winter months can help maintain your cooling system for the summer.

Related articles:

Air conditioning and heat to defrost windshield and windows

You may be wondering why it sometimes takes a long time to defrost your windshield with heat alone. This is because the use of heat alone, while ultimately demisting your windshield, does not dehumidify the air in your car. Even if the heat removes the frost from your windshield, it will only fog up again due to the high humidity in your vehicle.

When you use your air conditioner in conjunction with heat, magic happens. The air conditioner dehumidifies the air, frost, dew and fog on and around your windshield, and the heater sends not just hot air, but DRY hot air that helps with moisture removal. Continued use of AC will continue to dehumidify the entire interior of the car, helping to keep your windshield and windows clear.

Alternating current and heat to remove moisture from the interior

In addition to removing moisture from your windshield, using AC power and heat also removes moisture from throughout the interior. As already mentioned, your air conditioner can only be used as a dehumidifier. Whether you have a leak or left your window open which allowed moisture into your car, using your air conditioner and heat at the same time will dehumidify your car and remove all moisture from your interior.

Aside from keeping the inside of your car dry for air conditioning and comfort reasons, dehumidifying your car with heat and air conditioning also has two major benefits.

Rust Prevention – It doesn’t take visible sedentary water to make metal rust. In fact, the metal parts of your interior often rust mainly due to humidity, even if you don’t live in a humid climate. Using too much heat without air conditioning in the winter creates a humid indoor environment, and much of your metal interior is just damp enough to rust. Using your air conditioner with heat can prevent this rusting from even starting.

Examples include the metal brackets your seat is bolted to or the rails it slides on. While most of these parts are not normally visible, they need not rust, especially if it can be prevented.

Upholstery Protection – In many vehicles, much of the upholstery is at least partially held together with adhesive. Adhesive will eventually lose its hold over time. Exposing it to excessive moisture will only speed up this process. If this glue starts to loosen, it could mean repair work on the interior of your car. And while this can take a long time, it’s best to avoid these problems as much as you can, especially if you plan on keeping the vehicle for a while.

Using the air conditioner to dehumidify the interior of your car can play a big role in preventing rust and preserving your car’s interior. It’s just something simple you can do to keep your car’s interior in good condition for as long as possible.

Finally

You don’t have to be afraid to use your air conditioner and heater at the same time, and as you’ve learned, there are tremendous benefits to using both.

Don’t go without your air conditioner for long periods of time, especially in winter or during the cold months. Save your money and avoid maintenance costs and repairs to your air conditioning system as well as rusting metal and unglued upholstery. And most importantly, remember to not only use your air conditioner to cool your car, but also to remove moisture and dehumidify the interior.

Other articles you may be interested in:

Does your air conditioner remote control scare you? Just hit the power button and maybe the temperature up or down arrows for fear you might screw up the setting? Read on to find out what your air conditioner remote control icons mean and what they do.

Look at the sun symbol and wonder if you use it to cool the room on a sunny day or to heat the room on a winter day? Most remote controls for different brands of air conditioners have the same functions.

In this article we explain what each symbol means and what it does.

The first button is the one that turns the air conditioner on and off. This is usually a different color than the other buttons. It is usually orange or yellow, but can also be red, blue, or green.

It may say ON/OFF or START/STOP or just the POWER icon, which looks like this.

or

Press once to turn on the device and again to turn it off. After turning off the device, the current settings are retained and it will continue with those settings as soon as the device is turned on again.

The temperature buttons are usually up and down arrows that say TEMP. Pressing the UP button will increase the set temperature and pressing the DOWN button will decrease the temperature.

Most units have a MODE button that cycles through the various air conditioner functions. Fujitsu and Panasonic remotes have simplified things by having the words HEAT and COOL instead of small icons resembling the sun and a snowflake.

Most devices have a snowflake or ice icon for COOL mode. This mode is designed to cool the room and is usually used in summer.

or or

The sun icon represents HEAT mode. This is the opposite of cooling mode and is used to heat the room, typically during the cooler winter months.

or or

A droplet or water icon is used to indicate DRY mode. This mode is used to reduce the humidity in the room when the air is warm and very humid.

or or or

The indoor unit fan speed is automatically reduced in this mode, allowing air to travel longer over the indoor unit cooling coils to remove more moisture from the air. Dry mode can be an efficient and effective option in these conditions as the reduction in humidity makes the air feel cooler and more comfortable. However, when it is very hot and only moderately humid, the cooling mode is much more effective. The temperature normally cannot be increased or decreased in this mode.

The last icon in the MODE setting is usually AUTO.

or or

In this mode, the device can automatically select cooling or heating mode depending on the set temperature. Unless you live in a climate with large temperature fluctuations (Melbourne) it is probably better to select the COOL or HEAT icons manually.

The FAN setting is indicated by a fan blade icon.

or or or

In this mode, the device can only be operated as a fan. Since it only circulates the air in the room, it does not heat or cool. The air can feel chilly as it performs the same job as a ceiling fan, and evaporating body sweat on a hot day can feel slightly chilly.

The indoor fan speed can be controlled by pressing the FAN button. Each time you press the button, the fan speed will increase, as represented by the fan icon on the remote control screen. Most devices have at least 3 manual fan speeds and most newer devices have up to 5 speeds. If you hold down the fan button, you should eventually come to an AUTO FAN icon. When this setting is selected, the device will automatically select the fan speed depending on the current and set temperature. The device will run the fan at high speed when it is first turned on, and as the temperature approaches the set temperature, the fan speed will reduce until it finally runs at low speed. When the temperature in the room rises (in cooling mode), the fan will automatically adjust the fan speed.

Some units also have a QUIET or SILENT fan option, where the unit runs the internal fan speed at very low settings. This could be used at night.

or or

A POWERFUL or TURBO button can sometimes be found on some devices.

or or

This allows the device to run the fan at maximum fan speed for maximum cooling or heating and to push the air further through the room. Some brands have a timer that will return the device to its previous fan setting after a set amount of time.

We recommend always leaving the fan on AUTO and letting the indoor unit choose the right speed automatically.

The POWERFUL button should be used to quickly bring the room up to the desired set point temperature.

Selecting a manual LOW fan speed should not be used when the unit is first turned on as the unit will take much longer to cool/heat the room. If the unit is initially set to a low fan speed, this may not be enough to cool or heat the room. Higher fan speeds (or AUTO) allow the unit to push the cool (or hot) air across the room quickly. The greatest energy savings occur when the room is close to the set temperature and the fan has automatically started to run on low speed. The device is not only the most economical, but also very quiet.

Most devices have a button that controls the vertical position of the blind. The louver is the horizontal louver that runs across the front of the unit. Pressing this button normally moves the blade to the next position up or down.

Each push allows for another small movement and then the blade moves back up in the other direction. Sometimes every button press eventually leads to automatic mode, where the blind will continuously move up and down on its own. Sometimes there is a separate auto louver button on the remote that does the same thing.

Some units also have an AUTO mode, in which the unit selects the best position for the blade – this usually points across the room for cooling and down for heating.

or or or

Some devices may have a button that allows the horizontal vane to move left and right to allow air to move in that direction.

Sometimes every button press eventually leads to automatic mode, where the blind will continuously move up and down on its own. Sometimes there is a separate auto louver button on the remote that does the same thing.

or or

Most modern devices have a timer feature that allows the device to turn on or off at or after a preset time. Some units have built-in sensors that scan the room for movement. If no motion is detected after a period of time, the temperature will increase or decrease to reduce energy costs.

Some brands like Panasonic have Nanoe X technology that helps inhibit viruses, bacteria, pollen and mold. Some units have special filtration that allows dust to be removed and can inhibit the growth of bacteria and mold and deodorize the air. Some devices also have SELF-CLEANING features. This function is used when the unit is off and allows the indoor unit fan motor to run at a very low speed to dry any moisture remaining in the air conditioner. This is supposed to prevent mold growth.

A summary of popular air conditioner remote control icons is as follows:

Although the Vauxhall Corsa SXi gets sporty-looking trim and a choice of petrol or diesel, and manual or automatic transmission, it just can’t keep up with its rivals. It feels very dated, and it’s not the best to drive in this class either – we’d recommend a Ford Fiesta Zetec instead.

The Vauxhall Corsa SXi is available in either a 3-door or 5-door version and with a range of petrol and diesel engines. It sits below the Corsa SRi in the range and offers equipment designed to make the car feel sportier than the lower specification models, but without the SRi’s harsh sport suspension. The engines featured in the Vauxhall Corsa SXi (not shown) include 1.2 and 1.4 liter petrols and a 1.3 liter diesel with a range of power outputs ranging from the 84hp 1.2i to the 99hp 1.4i hp This fastest version of the Vauxhall Corsa SXi can go from 0 to 62mpg in 11.9 seconds, which is pretty slow, and since the fastest version is so sluggish you don’t get much push from the lower powered versions either. The best option to go with if you’re worried about fuel economy is to go for the 1.3CDTi diesel as it can return 74mpg when equipped with manual gearbox and Stop-Start technology. However, this engine feels cowardly and is noisy in the cabin. The best engine for the Corsa is probably the 1.7-litre diesel, but that’s not available in the SXi trim but the budget option for those looking for a Corsa SXi is the 1.2-litre petrol with 84 hp, which starts at £13,520. However, because the SXi is a higher trim level, it comes with plenty of standard equipment. These include 16-inch alloy wheels, fog lights, tinted windows, a chrome exhaust pipe, cruise control, and tinted headlights and taillights for a sportier look. Air conditioning and stop-start are available on the Corsa SXi a/c and s/s models. Inside the Corsa SXi you get sporty looking seats and dials, a leather steering wheel, 60/40 function trip computer. All of this kit is in addition to what is offered in the lower specification models, such as steering wheel mounted audio controls, heated door mirrors, a CD/MP3 player and daytime running lights. The Vauxhall Corsa SXi has a decent interior and it’s relatively uncluttered, but the design feels dated compared to the Ford Fiesta and Volkswagen Polo. When it comes to driving fun, too, the Corsa falls short of its rivals, being designed more as an A-to-B speedster than a fun-to-drive supermini. It has a comfortable driving position, easy controls and a compact body, which means it’s best suited for city driving. Choose a Ford Fiesta if you value your time driving on the open road. Opening the tailgate reveals a useful low loading sill and competitive 285 liters of boot space. Fold the rear seats flat and the capacity increases to 1,100 liters (or 1,050 for the three-door).

Evolution of the car air conditioning system

Air conditioning is standard on almost every car sold in the US today. Even if you’re driving around sweating in a sweltering hot car, it’s usually not because the vehicle doesn’t have air conditioning; It’s because the air conditioning that it has is broken.

Yet for much of automotive history, air conditioning has been either a state-of-the-art luxury or a sci-fi writer’s dream. Today’s car air conditioners are the result of a century of invention and improvement. To give you an idea of ​​where we’re coming from, here’s a look back at the history and science of in-car cool.

1886 – The first patent for a series automobile is granted. The vehicle lacks many of the things one would expect from a car today: it has no windshield, no roof, no doors, no steering wheel, no gas or brake pedals and only has three wheels. Needless to say, it doesn’t have air conditioning either.

1886 Benz Patent Motor Car.

1903 – A Packard Model F, nicknamed “Old Pacific,” becomes only the second car to travel coast-to-coast (a two-month trip at the time). Although cars still don’t have an enclosed cabin, the driver has put up a large umbrella to provide shade and make hot desert traverses at least a little cooler.

1919 – The Kool Kooshion seat cover uses small springs to keep drivers about half an inch above the car seat, allowing air to circulate beneath them and behind their backs. It basically evaporates the sweat on your back and helps keep you cool. In fact, the Kool Kooshion is still sold at major retailers today.

1921 – The Knapp Limo-Sedan Fan is a small electric fan that can be built into the interior of a car (since most cars are now enclosed). However, such fans still do not cool the air; They simply create a breeze and help evaporate sweat.

1930 – The “car cooler” uses the evaporation of water (instead of your own sweat) to cool the air, which is then blown through the open passenger side window. Despite being the first device to actually lower air temperature, it only works in areas with very low humidity – and it looks like you’ve got a vacuum strapped to the side of your car.

Thermador car cooler. photo source.

1939 – Packard becomes the first car manufacturer to offer air conditioning as an option. The cooling system is located in the trunk, not the dashboard, and you must manually install or remove the drive belt from the air conditioning compressor to turn the system on or off. The option costs $274 at a time when the average annual income is $1,368. That and the start of World War II means the option is short-lived.

1953 – Eight years after the end of the war, A/C makes a definitive return to the automotive industry. Several manufacturers offer air conditioners as an option, all of which are rear-mounted systems not significantly different from those Packard used in 1939.

1953 Chrysler Imperial with factory installed “Airtemp” system in the trunk. photo source.

1954 – Pontiac and Nash become the first two companies to install the A/C system in the front of their cars instead of in the trunk. The Nash system combined the heating and air conditioning into one in-dash system and established the standard that most cars have followed ever since.

1964 – Cadillac introduces Comfort Control. For the first time, drivers can set a preferred temperature and the system will automatically adjust the air conditioning or heating output to keep the cabin at that temperature.

1964 Cadillac Series 62 six window sedan. photo source.

1968 – The AMC Ambassador is the first car to have air conditioning as a standard feature rather than as an additional option.

1969 – Over half of all American cars now have air conditioning.

1970 – Interdynamics (IDQ) is founded and manufactures the first do-it-yourself automotive air conditioning kits.

1987 – Concerns about ozone depletion lead to the signing of the Montreal Protocol, providing a plan for the phasing out of the R-12 refrigerant used in most air conditioning systems.

Members of the Canadian delegation at the historic signing in 1987. Photo source.

1994 – All new automotive air conditioning systems must use R-134a refrigerant, not R-12.

2003 – IDQ launches all-in-one DIY solutions for car air conditioner repair. A single can tops up the system with R-134a, seals leaks, eliminates corrosive moisture and replaces lost lubricant—all in about 10 minutes, with no special tools required.

Today – Although there are discussions about potential new refrigerants that could be used in the future, automotive air conditioning has remained largely the same over the past two decades. More than a million people have used our all-in-one charging kits to repair their car air conditioners, saving hundreds of millions of dollars overall.

If you have any questions about refrigerants, want to know how car air conditioning works or need to charge your car’s system with A/C Pro, please feel free to contact us or connect via Facebook and Twitter.

The Vauxhall Corsa SXi, which sits below the SRi in the Corsa range, is the brand’s rival to the Ford Fiesta Zetec. Like the Zetec, it has a sporty look but has no engine or suspension changes that would negatively impact running costs. For a sportier look, you get standard 16-inch alloy wheels, fog lights and a chrome exhaust pipe, as well as tinted taillights and rear windows.

Inside, there’s everything found in lower-spec models, like heated door mirrors, along with sporty-looking front seats and dials, 60:40 split-folding rear seats, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel. Cruise control is also included, but air conditioning and stop-start only come standard on the A/C and S/S models, respectively. Both are worth the extra money.

Both the three- and five-door models in the SXi range are available with the 84 hp 1.2-litre and 99 hp 1.4-litre petrol engines. There’s also a 1.3-litre diesel engine available with either 74hp or 99hp.

Good arguments

The Corsa is known for its comfort and practicality, and the SXi model is no exception. It may look sporty, but it doesn’t come with the higher quality SRi sports suspension, so comfort is not compromised in any way. Its comfortable seating position and light steering make it an ideal city car, while the Corsa’s 285-litre boot is larger than its main competitor, the Ford Fiesta. With the rear seats folded, this can be expanded to over 1,000 litres. The four engines available offer reasonable performance, but what impresses most is their fuel economy, as all can top 50mpg on the highway.