When the vent is Floor do you guys notice that some air flows to the Defrost vents at the windshield also? Is this normal?

I also tried Defrost/Floor and there's much more air to the Defrost, obviously. But when I switch to Floor only, there's still some flow to the Defrost. It's as if some damper inside did not close completey.

For an additional grin, I tried Bilevel and that function correctly (air to top and bottom). No air goes to the Defrost.

Can you check yours and let me know?

 

I believe I remember noticing this in mine also. Don't know why. Maybe to keep windows clear if only a little air moving will do the job.... don't know.

 

I was checking the manually on this and pasted the mode definitions below. If I remember correctly in other cars I've had, the floor mode usually directed a small amount to the defroster vents as well. ( Maybe it's assumed the floor mode is used in colder temps and defrost vent flow would also be beneficial...) The manual doesn't specifically mention this air flow to the defroster when not in a defrost mode, it does say some air will flow to the dashboards vents in all the modes.


Mode Controls
The driver’s side mode and the passenger’s side mode can be selected separately. Use the appropriate mode control button to select the vents the air flows from. Some air will flow from the dashboard vents in all modes.

Defroster/Floor Mode
Airflow is divided between the floor and corner vents and the defroster vents at the base of the windshield.

This mode can only be selected from the driver’s side, however the passenger’s side controls can still change the temperature.

Floor Mode
Air flows from the floor.

Dashboard/Floor Mode
Airflow is divided between the vents in the dashboard and the back of the center console, and the floor vents.

Dashboard Mode
Air flows from the center and corner vents in the dashboard, and the vents on the back of the center console.

Windshield Defroster Button
This button directs the main airflow to the windshield for faster defrosting. It also overrides any mode selection you may have made.

When you select , the system automatically switches to fresh air mode and turns on the A/C. For faster defrosting, the fan speed automatically increases. You can also increase airflow to the windshield by closing the corner vents on the dashboard. To close the vents, rotate the wheel on the side of each corner vent.

 

Thanks guys! Last thing I want to do is to have the dealer rip apart my dash and thus introducing squeaks!

Makes sense that when you use the Floor mode it's mostly during winter time to keep your toesies warm so why not some warm air to keep the windshield from frosting as a just in case.

 

what is your recirc mode? When I have recirc mode on, there is no other vent flow. When I have the defrost mode, then its a different situation. BTW, you don't need to rip apart the dash to fix that.

 

The recirculation mode shouldn't have any affect on the air flow output. According to the manual, when on it re-uses the cabin instead of allowing fresh air from the outside.

I've also noticed when having it on, the windows tend to fog up quicker as the relative humidity in the cabin increases. I tend to only use it when first starting up and wanting to heat up or cool down the cabin a bit faster.


Recirculation Button
When the indicator in the button is on, air from the vehicle’s interior is sent through the system again. When the indicator is off, air is brought in from the outside of the vehicle (fresh air mode).

The outside air intakes for the climate control system are at the base of the windshield. Keep this area clear of leaves and other debris.
The system should be left in fresh air mode under almost all conditions. Keeping the system in recirculation mode, particularly with the A/C off, can cause the windows to fog up.

Switch to recirculation mode when driving through dusty or smoky conditions, then return to fresh air mode.

 

On a side note, my BMW had 3 recirculation modes.

-Off - Fresh air was allowed into the cabin.
-On - Fresh air was blocked, & the cabin air was recycled
-Auto - Fresh air was allowed in the cabin, until sensors picked up contaminants in the air and the fresh air intake was closed.

The auto feature was quite nice, as it helped to keep out dust, smoke, pollution, without having to manually turn on the recirculation mode. It would be a nice feature to see in a future TL...

 

Recirc is off but I don't this matters as others have said.

 

I still think the flow to the defrost (when on floor mode only) is way too much. I have owned alot of other cars and have never experienced this before. I could understand if it was a little flow but in my '10 it's pretty darn loud.

 

Thus my question but it seems like it's normal as people have reported.

 

If it it seems excessive, I guess it wouldn't hurt to see if you compare with another TL (maybe at the dealer). If it's alot less on that comparo, a service appt might be able to track down the issue.

Personally on mine I don't notice a high amount or airflow when floor is selected. I had a 2006 TL as a comparison, and 2010 seems pretty similar to it.