I've owned an '04 TL, '06 RL, and currently have an '08 RDX. despite the hype of the solar sensing HVAC system I have never experienced anything near what Acura promises, particularly in the summer heat, or during bright sunny days. I was wondering what the other members take is on this supposed feature.

 

You have the tech pkg correct? I have noticed it when it kicks in as you turn into the sun out of the ect., yes.

 

i have an 09 tech and i havent seen or notice if its working.. how exactly should it work anyways?

 

Needs to be on "auto". When sensor detects direct sunlight, fan speed kicks up to provide cooling effect. Fan speed goes down when back in the shade. I think this is basically it.

 

so essentially it would only work during summer since during winter regardless whether its sunny or not you'd still have the heater going on... (specially here where it can drop to a chilling -45C at winter time..)

 

I'm pretty sure it uses the GPS to determine your location in relation to the sun and will speed up the fan if you are facing it.

 

It functions. Does it actually "work"? I don't think it makes much difference here in the summer. My AC basically runs full blast for my entire commute when it is around 100 degrees out.

 

I have definitely noticed it, and I think it works great. It makes me wonder if this car can read my mind. There's nothing that will give me a headache quicker than sitting in a car with the sun directly on me (no, I have never opened my sunroof). EVERY time I turn into the sun and think about adding some airflow, the system beats me too it. I think it's one of the more under-advertised Acura features, and definitely a big plus for me...

Mike

 

Thanks for the feedback. Yes, I use "Auto" (temp set at 72 degrees) about 99% of the time. Perhaps I am so used to the Acura system I do not notice any changes, subtle or otherwise. There have been a few times, especially in the early morning in the summer with the sun beating down on the driver's side that I would get really warm and wondered if the system was working or not. In those cases I turned the temp down a couple of degrees and all was OK. Next time the conditions are right I will take closer notice to see if I feel or hear any changes.

 

For what it's worth, I never use 'Full Auto' (ie: temp fixed at 72). I use 'Auto', with the temp set at 66 deg all year round.

Mike

 

The system also directs more cooling air to the side of the car that the sun is shining on. To do this the GPS is programed with the sun's position relative to the car's heading. The system then directs more freon to the evaporator on that side of the car.

The GPS knows where the sun is, but not how intense it is. The solar sensor itself is not directional -- it simply tells the system the intensity of the sunlight.

The problem is, the split system has two evaporators but only one fan. If each side had it's own fan the increased left or right fan speed would make the asymmetric cooling more apparent.

 

Great explanation about the two evaporators, and the solar sensor. Thanks.