Automatic Temperature Control (ATC): Notes

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2005 Dodge Grand Caravan, 2005 Dodge Caravan, and 2005 Chrysler Town & Country. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

Comfort temperature or perceived temperature is affected by air flow, sun levels on exposed skin, etc. The air temperature may be higher or lower than the comfort temperature. The automatic temperature control (ATC) system uses two infrared sensors in the instrument panel center stack to measure the temperature of the front occupants in order determine their comfort level relative to their selected comfort temperature. The integral HVAC computer adjusts temperature and air flow rates to maintain the customer-perceived comfort temperatures. The air temperature in the passenger compartment may be slightly higher or lower than the comfort temperature at any time. For instance, on sunny summer days the air flow will probably be cooler than the comfort temperature; on cold or cloudy days and at night it will probably be slightly warmer.

The Three-Zone ATC system uses the infrared sensors located in the instrument panel center stack along with an offset calibration strategy to meet the comfort requirements of the rear seat occupants.