Turning on radio sometimes changes climate control settings

[mwr]

I posted about this a while ago in another thread, but I think it's time to create a sseparate thread for it because this is now happening more frequently. I pretty much always have the climate control on Auto, temps set to 72, with AC either on or off. Sometimes when I press the radio "On" button to turn on the radio, the climate control resets itself in various ways. The last time I noticed the Max Defrost (left-most light) was on and of course the fan goes to high. At other times (I think) other items turn on with other lights. It's easy to reset back to Auto and turn off what I don't want on, but since it's happening more frequently I'd like to get to the bottom of it.

 

I can't recreate it on demand. It might not happen for a few days, or maybe two or three times in one day, but still not near 50% of the times I press the radio On button. It's never happened when turning the radio off.

 

Any ideas? I have MFT, no Nav, the "normal" (not Sony) radio.

Edited August 7, 2015 by mwr

[mwr]

It happened once more today. Was using Auto with AC on, pressed radio button to turn on radio, and immeduatly I heard a loud fan noise and felt warm/hot air. I looked down at the center lights and found Auto off, rear defrost and max defrost on.

[hybridbear]

Your hand may be brushing the controls. They're capacitive controls which means if you get too close they activate.

 

Do you bring your hand near the controls? Try keeping your hand in a fist & just press the radio with one finger. Keep your arm back torward the back seat so no part of your fist is near the controls.

 

Or just use voice commands, that might be easiest. "Audio On" & "Audio Off" are the two voice commands I use the most often.

Edited August 8, 2015 by hybridbear

[md13ffhguy]

Or just use voice commands, that might be easiest. "Audio On" & "Audio Off" are the two voice commands I use the most often.

Pushing the volume knob seems so much quicker and easier. You still have to push a button to activate voice commands, and then wait for it to "listen" and process the command.

[mwr]

Your hand may be brushing the controls. They're capacitive controls which means if you get too close they activate.

 

Do you bring your hand near the controls? Try keeping your hand in a fist & just press the radio with one finger. Keep your arm back torward the back seat so no part of your fist is near the controls.

 

Or just use voice commands, that might be easiest. "Audio On" & "Audio Off" are the two voice commands I use the most often.

I paid attention this moring when I pushed the radio button and don't think I was close to brushing the max defrost or rear window defrost button. But it is a good suggestion and I'll be careful to not do that and see if the issue happens again. But for now, I'll say that I don't think I'm brushing the controls. Also, I'm not going to turn the radio on and off via voice commands, first having to press a button to do that. As was said above, it's so much easier to just push the radio button, and I do that all the time to turn off commercials and then on again later.

Edited August 8, 2015 by mwr

[Texasota]

As was said above, it's so much easier to just push the radio button, and I do that all the time to turn off commercials and then on again later.

There is a mute button on steering wheel control that works nicely for that.

[mwr]

There is a mute button on steering wheel control that works nicely for that.

Ha ha, in 9 months and 12,000 miles of owning this car I never became aware of that button. It sure works :-)

[Texasota]

Ha ha, in 9 months and 12,000 miles of owning this car I never became aware of that button. It sure works :-)

It took me many months to learn there was a trunk release button on the lower left dashboard. Now the hard part is forcing myself to remember to use it. I'm slowly getting in the habit.

[hybridbear]

Pushing the volume knob seems so much quicker and easier. You still have to push a button to activate voice commands, and then wait for it to "listen" and process the command.

Also, I'm not going to turn the radio on and off via voice commands, first having to press a button to do that. As was said above, it's so much easier to just push the radio button, and I do that all the time to turn off commercials and then on again later.

I like the voice commands because I don't have to take my eyes off the road. I have to take my eyes off the road to find the power button on the center console. I can feel my way to the voice command button on the steering wheel without taking my eyes away from the road.

[mwr]

It's been a bit over a week since the "issue" last happened. Of course now I'm aware ot not brushing the climate controls low on the center dash. So maybe hybridbear got it right. We'll see as more time goes by, but i hope so since that would mean there isn't anythmg wrong with the car.

Edited August 18, 2015 by mwr

[Timewellspent]

I have a habit of brushing the temp + - button while reaching into the holder below that where I keep my garage door opener. I couldn't figure out why the AC was coming on when I had it off and then I realized what I was doing.

[hybridbear]

I have a habit of brushing the temp + - button while reaching into the holder below that where I keep my garage door opener. I couldn't figure out why the AC was coming on when I had it off and then I realized what I was doing.

Me too. We keep the RFID card for our apartment garage there & sometimes I bump the temp + or - button when reaching for it.

[nv rick]

I used to have an opposite problem in my MKZ. When I would go to change the temp, I would sometimes change the radio station or hit the cd eject button. I am now aware of the situation and keep my fingers away from those controls.