Mike_TX

Now that it's getting warm, I'm noticing how well the GPS-linked climate control worked in my Acuras. It knew when you were turning into the south, for instance, and adjusted the A/C to compensate for the radiant heat of the sun.

The climate control in my Lexus is excellent, and a bit more powerful than in my RL, but it takes a while for the change in air temperature in the cabin to trigger the A/C when I'm going into the sun. The RL (as well as my TL and MDX) quickly sensed that I would be facing the heat and automatically made adjustments for it.

Nice trick.

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getakey

my (2005) climate control is awful
I have to set it at 68 in the morning and 73 in the afternoon

aznboi2424

iTrader: (10)

are you sure it isnt the sunlight sensor? our CLs have it mounted near the windshield and then I turn the car facing into the sun, the fan speeds up on full auto.

123456SPEED

Not quite sure what this GPS sensor does for the AC? Senses sunlight? Here in Texas many days the sun is out. so? It's not like it's really cloudy and then real sunny that often all at once? Don't get it.

ssim3

GPS sensor notes the location of the sun relative to the car & compensates the A/C to that side. If you are driving north in the afternoon the western side of the car will get a boost on the A/C compared to the eastern side.

123456SPEED

I guess I get it, but is it useful when it's 95 degrees on the east side of the car and 100 on the West? My CLS has a sensor on the dash that appears the do the same thing but not with a satellite involved.

aznboi2424

iTrader: (10)

yea, because of this im not sure that the AC is linked to the GPS sensor. i dont mean to downgrade your cars or anything and if it is linked then that is very technological!
do you guys have a light sensor on the dash?

TampaRLX-SH

GPS-LINKED, SOLAR-SENSING, DUAL-ZONE, DUAL-MODE AUTOMATIC CLIMATE CONTROL SYSTEM

The RL has a GPS-linked, solar-sensing, dual-zone, dual-mode automatic climate control system that lets the driver and front passenger set temperature modes to their individual liking. A pair of large adjustable vents in the rear of the center console keep the rear seat area comfortable. Large, simple to use system controls are positioned within easy reach, just below the center instrument panel vents. The system can also be controlled by voice, and some seldom-needed custom settings can also be accessed through the Interface Dial. The climate control system's control logic is now designed to provide smoother operation with less pronounced and obvious changes in airflow.

With its position-sensing ability, the navigation system contributes to overall passenger comfort with 3D solar sensing. Based on its continuously updated vehicle position information, the navigation system determines the position of the sun relative to the driver and passenger. Combining this information with input from a solar sensor located on top of the instrument panel, the climate control system automatically adjusts the temperature and airflow from side to side as needed to compensate for asymmetrical solar heating.
System operation can be customized to suit the preferences of the driver and front seat passenger. Using the navigation screen and the Interface Dial, the temperature of the air flowing through the upper vents can be lowered relative to that of the air flowing from the footwell vents.

http://corporate.honda.com/press/article.aspx?id=2076

Mike_TX

Thanks for supplying the technical info, Tampa.

And although my RL DID seem to need a little more jiggering with the temperature settings throughout the day, it did indeed compensate well for directional changes. I could sometimes make a turn and almost immediately feel a boost in the cooling output.

And I notice it especially here in sunny Texas, even though it's barely gotten to 90 yet. I have to manually compensate for the "baking" side. That's what motivated me to start this thread.

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TampaRLX-SH

Acura also promotes it in the MDX commercial...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g0uwh-GyACM

aznboi2424

iTrader: (10)

oh awesome, we were both right! it is linked to the GPS system so thats part of it but it also has a sunlight sensor on top of the dash like i said.

lumpulus

You know, I always wondered why this is so important, because if you have all the vents aimed at you if you're the only one in the car, what's the point?

For sure the dual climate control is a great feature, but the solar sensing? Overkill, IMHO.

SpicyMikey

I agree, it might be a little overkill. Invest the time in adding keyless start to my MDX and keep the GPS based climate control

Mike_TX

Ah, maybe you've hit on it. I don't like the vents blowing directly on me, especially when it's 98 degrees outside and the air coming out of the vents is 55 degrees. So I aim them a little off-center.

But regardless of that, when you're in Texas, or Arizona, or any other really hot place in the summer, the radiant heat of the sun coming through the windows (even with tint) can feel hot in spite of the cool air coming out the vents. The GPS/solar sensor thingies just amp up the A/C to offset some of the effects of the direct sunshine.

Look at it this way ... it can be 90 degrees and overcast, or 90 degrees and sunny, and the sunny version will be less comfortable to the human body. So they linked the climate control to the sun's position and intensity to combat it.

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lumpulus

I understand WHY they did, I just think it's time wasted to come up with something more practical, like why I have to chose my MID setting every time I start the car up, or how to make the paddles shift faster.

SpicyMikey

They fixed that in my 08 MDX I assume all the new models will remember your last setting now.