I have a 2001 Tribute, 2.0, 5 speed manual. Love it. However, I'm annoyed by the A/C coming on in the winter when I use the defrost. I'm very gas-conscious (gas is up to $1.30 a litre in Vancouver), and while my little truckette usually gets 10 litres per 100 km under normal circumstances, I've noticed that gas consumption goes up when I have to use the defrost in the winter. I don't need the bloody A/C to come on. I'm happy to wait until the car warms up to turn on the defrost so the air will be dry.

How do I deactivate the A/C in the winter? I've talked to service people, but they aren't particularly forthcoming. Will it hurt anything if I just take the fuses that control the A/C out for the winter? Disconnect the belt that drives the A/C unit? I only want to disable it for the winter.

Any ideas?