I should run the air conditioner for several minutes at least a once a month. The people who keep telling me this don't really know if new cars like my 2007 Mazda 3 S Sport need it or not but old cars did and that I should just do it anyway. Should I do this and does it still work for today's cars? I would normally do something like this but I just got this car and gas is getting more expensive and I don't really need the air conditioner right now, seeing how it's almost winter. Any input would be greatly appreciated.

 

I'm pretty sure that when the vent is set to any setting that has the windshield defrost setting on it that the A/C is automatically turned on. I don't think it's neccessary to run the A/C once a month to keep the system lubricated but I am not 100% sure on this. I personally keep my vent setting on the floor on recycled air to try to keep the A/C off. My fuel mileage needs all the help it can get so I try everything I can.