Buick/Olds: 1995 Buick A/C function, temperature gauge, old dad

Question
Please settle and argument for us. My dad says that when operating the A/C in my 1995 Buick, it is not necessary to set the temperature gauge to the coldest setting since the A/C has a thermostat that will produce cold air even in the middle of the heat range setting and will automatically turn itself on/off to keep the temp. He says this works just like the thermostat in my house which turns the A/c on and off depending on the temparature selected.  I think that if I set the car's temp gauge to the middle-then the A/C that comes out is not as cold and the the system runs continuosly until I turn it off. I know newer cars have a thermostat that can switch the A/C on/off, but does my 1995 Buick?

Answer
You both are right and you both are wrong.  Let me elaborate.
Ever since the late 80's, at least in Cadillacs, GM has had cars that have come installed with sensors that sensed the temperature and adjusted the interior temperature accordingly, so Dawna, your car does have the feature.  Now, dear old, or maybe not so old, dad is wrong in that you don't need to set the temperature to the coldest setting.  If you put the temp setting in the middle, you've just set your AC on 75 degrees.  You car will only get as cold as 60 degrees and as hot as 90.  If the temp outside is 81 and you turn you air to mid, you will only feel a 6 degree different and your fans will blow all the time, but your A/C Compressor will only stay on for a few minutes at a time.   If you set it to 60, your compression will be on the entire time your car is on if you take short 5/10 minute trips, but if you're on the road for hours, your car will reach that temp and the compressor will shut off and the fans will only circulate the 60 degree air and not produce more.