Air Distribution

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2006 Mercury Mariner and 2006 Ford Escape. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

There are 2 sources of air available to the air distribution system:

Outside air
Recirculated air

Recirculated air is only used when the manual climate control mode selector is set in the MAX A/C or OFF modes.

Air distribution within the vehicle is determined by the function selector switch position. Air flow control doors are used to direct air flow within the A/C evaporator housing and heater. Vacuum control motors are used to position these air flow control doors.

The air distribution system is designed to provide air flow from the defrost nozzle when no vacuum is applied to any of the vacuum control motors. This is done to prevent a situation where defrost cannot be obtained due to a system vacuum leak.

Air enters the passenger compartment from the:

instrument panel register.
heater outlet floor duct.
windshield defroster hose nozzle.
side window demisters.
rear footwell duct.

Passenger compartment air is exhausted from the vehicle through open windows or through the air extractors located in the rear of the vehicle.