I could not find anything in the manual about what I think is an annoying feature. On my 2009 when I turn the temperature control **** all the way to the coldest setting the recirc and the AC turn on. Then I have to hit the AC button and the recirc button to turn them off. Do all the years do this, and if so, has anyone figured out how to turn it off?

 

I have an '08, does the same thing. I don't know of any way to turn it off, nor do I think that you can.

Just one more annoying option that the engineers devised to **** us off.

 

Both my 07 and 08 do the same, anything past the straight up on the flow switch kicks the AC and Recirculate on, also if you have it on the other side of straight up and the temp turned down the AC compressor is working.

 

Try setting the cold level to 1 notch below the max. So, click it all the way over. Then put back one notch. The will prevent the a/c and recerc from coming on. Same with heat/defrost in the winter.

At least that's what works for mine.

 

That doesn't happen with me. The A/C button has never turned on automatically, and stays on with any temp setting until I turn it off. Recirculation will sometimes turn off when I go to heat, but if I go back, I usually have to manually push it on.

I think I bought the oddball Mazda3 of the bunch.

 

Actually Gary, it sounds like your late model i works the same way all the '04-'06's w/A/C.
From the foot well setting, just right of 11:00 through full defrost, the A/C is on automatically but it does not indicate that anywhere. e.g. the light in the A/C switch does not come on.
However, my manual states that that is how it is supposed to work. All modern cars that I know of have this feature so when the defrost is on, you also get the drying affect of the A/C.

 

Thats the same as my previous two vehicles, the defog works soo much better with the compressor running drying the air.

 

I'd love to know about disabling the "Automagic" engagement of the A/C when the temperature control **** is turned all of the way counter-clockwise as well. Geez, for such a well thought out car the Mazda engineers sure made a few bonehead mistakes, this being one of the dumbest.

 

Actually the fact it only comes on in the last notch probably was pretty thought out, That way you can operate the system without having to hit the buttons.
I just put mine 1 notch up, I like having the windows down when I am going home.

 

I don't know, maybe it's just me. To my way of thinking, when I turn the temperature **** all of the way to cool, that's exactly what I want; cool air not chilled air. I liken the automatic engagement of the A/C (and Recirc no less) to the automagic lock engagement that many cars have.

If (and when) I want my doors locked or the A/C engaged, then I'll freakin' lock them or fiddle with the HVAC myself.

Many folks who live in warmer climes may well not understand my rant, however, up here in New Hamster we need A/C in our cars all of maybe two weeks a year, however, running with the vents (and or windows) opened up and the A/C off is something that we do for nearly six months of the year.