Why isn't Honda/Acura A/C as cold as other brands?
08-31-2016, 07:38 AM
#1
Null and proud of it
Thread Starter
Why isn't Honda/Acura A/C as cold as other brands?
In my RDX, I've noticed the A/C isn't "ice" cold, but just cool...
I know the compressor is running as I can feel it kick all of the time, but it never really gets cold enough, why is that?
Ive been in the RDX, and a 2007 Accord, 2005 Accord, 2004 Accord, 1998 Accord, 2005 MDX and a 2006 MDX and I can't recall any of them being "extremely cold" like in Toyota's and GM's...
I know now they're using R134 these days, but even the 2016 Toyota Canry felt cooler, is it just me, but I think I'm onto something here...
The Kia I had wasn't very cold either, but it was cooler than the RDX, but the RDX blows out harder...
Hmm... I just find myself sweating too much during the day, something must be off...
Also, the A/C isn't cool when parked, until I rev the engine, then it feels a little cooler... I know the compressor is engaged and spinning, it was replaced under warranty between 2008-2010 by the the original owner...
For those of you who own Toyota's or General Motors vehicles, does this ring a bell?
Been in my mind for months now, thanks for any input!!!
I know the compressor is running as I can feel it kick all of the time, but it never really gets cold enough, why is that?
Ive been in the RDX, and a 2007 Accord, 2005 Accord, 2004 Accord, 1998 Accord, 2005 MDX and a 2006 MDX and I can't recall any of them being "extremely cold" like in Toyota's and GM's...
I know now they're using R134 these days, but even the 2016 Toyota Canry felt cooler, is it just me, but I think I'm onto something here...
The Kia I had wasn't very cold either, but it was cooler than the RDX, but the RDX blows out harder...
Hmm... I just find myself sweating too much during the day, something must be off...
Also, the A/C isn't cool when parked, until I rev the engine, then it feels a little cooler... I know the compressor is engaged and spinning, it was replaced under warranty between 2008-2010 by the the original owner...
For those of you who own Toyota's or General Motors vehicles, does this ring a bell?
Been in my mind for months now, thanks for any input!!!
Popular Reply
08-31-2016, 11:15 AM
I drive a Subata.
iTrader: (1)
It's because you have the yellow fogs.
08-31-2016, 08:11 AM
#2
Moderator
I'm thinking it's all you. All my Honda's have been fine.
My '04 Civic is probably the least cool, but still plenty cold on recirc once the cabin cools.
'93 Accord was an icebox, '97 Civic plenty cold, '00 TL-P again, ice cold.
Sister's '02 Accord EX-L ice cold.
Have the refrigerant checked by a shop & make sure it has a proper charge.
My '04 Civic is probably the least cool, but still plenty cold on recirc once the cabin cools.
'93 Accord was an icebox, '97 Civic plenty cold, '00 TL-P again, ice cold.
Sister's '02 Accord EX-L ice cold.
Have the refrigerant checked by a shop & make sure it has a proper charge.
08-31-2016, 08:17 AM
#3
Senior Moderator
I've found the opposite to be true. Toyota has shit-tastic A/C compared to even my old Accord.
The following 6 users liked this post by TLDude876:
1killercls (08-31-2016),
Costco (08-31-2016),
rossv1 (08-31-2016),
RPhilMan1 (08-31-2016),
Sarlacc (08-31-2016),
and 1 others liked this post.
08-31-2016, 08:23 AM
#6
Null and proud of it
Thread Starter
If have it checked but, more money...
In my 2001 Camry, a Yukon and Chevrolet Pickup, and I've been literally shivering in the middle of the summer on both of them, now why is that?
I'll have to check it one day...
In my 2001 Camry, a Yukon and Chevrolet Pickup, and I've been literally shivering in the middle of the summer on both of them, now why is that?
I'll have to check it one day...
08-31-2016, 08:35 AM
#7
Moderator
Regional Coordinator (Southeast)
Regional Coordinator (Southeast)
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Mooresville, NC
Age: 37
Posts: 43,461
Received 3,656 Likes
on
2,490 Posts
My TSX has super cold A/C but the system in my Cadillac on the hottest days takes forever to cool off the car in comparison.
Trending Topics
08-31-2016, 08:37 AM
#8
Senior Moderator
08-31-2016, 10:10 AM
#9
Your Friendly Canadian
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Toronto, Ontario
Age: 31
Posts: 17,427
Received 1,484 Likes
on
1,048 Posts
It is most likely your car. Refrigerant leaks over time. Get one of those recharge kits from Canadian Tire/Autozone.
<-- Ice cold.
<-- Ice cold.
08-31-2016, 10:14 AM
#10
Safety Car
In my experience, trucks and convertibles have the best A/C systems. I don't know if this is by design in the case of the convertibles (putting oversized A/C unit in for top down operation) or because trucks have smaller cabin areas. But then again, truck based SUVs seem to do pretty good too and they have a lot of cabin space. But this has been my observation.
OP should check cabin air filter as a first step to make sure the system is working optimally.
OP should check cabin air filter as a first step to make sure the system is working optimally.
08-31-2016, 10:21 AM
#11
Moderator
In my experience, trucks and convertibles have the best A/C systems. I don't know if this is by design in the case of the convertibles (putting oversized A/C unit in for top down operation) or because trucks have smaller cabin areas. But then again, truck based SUVs seem to do pretty good too and they have a lot of cabin space. But this has been my observation.
OP should check cabin air filter as a first step to make sure the system is working optimally.
OP should check cabin air filter as a first step to make sure the system is working optimally.
The following users liked this post:
wackjum (08-31-2016)
08-31-2016, 11:15 AM
#12
I drive a Subata.
iTrader: (1)
It's because you have the yellow fogs.
The following 16 users liked this post by JS + XES:
Aman (09-06-2016),
CCColtsicehockey (08-31-2016),
CLtotheTL32 (09-01-2016),
Costco (08-31-2016),
crazyasiantl (09-01-2016),
and 11 others liked this post.
08-31-2016, 12:51 PM
#14
Senior Moderator
This, and as for pickups they typically have much less interior volume so they cool quicker. My 00 TL gets damn cold and there is 600k on the AC system, my s10 winter beater is a icebox and my explorer is one as well.
The following users liked this post:
Midnight Mystery (06-26-2020)
08-31-2016, 02:40 PM
#16
GEEZER
Every time you open your mouth in your RDX the temp goes up to 90 degrees.
08-31-2016, 04:57 PM
#18
Senior Moderator
The following users liked this post:
1killercls (09-01-2016)
08-31-2016, 05:01 PM
#19
Team Owner
Because you don't have enough cylinders.
The following users liked this post:
KaMLuNg (08-31-2016)
08-31-2016, 06:54 PM
#22
Team Owner
i was just half joking.
I don't have any scientific evidence to back up my claim but based on my personal experience, the AC in all of the 4 cylinders cars i had owned or i had driven in general just feel noticeably weaker than V6 and especially V8.
Also when it is 100+ outside, you can't expect the AC to work the same way as if it was in the 80s, even for the same car.
I don't have any scientific evidence to back up my claim but based on my personal experience, the AC in all of the 4 cylinders cars i had owned or i had driven in general just feel noticeably weaker than V6 and especially V8.
Also when it is 100+ outside, you can't expect the AC to work the same way as if it was in the 80s, even for the same car.
08-31-2016, 09:25 PM
#23
Senior Moderator
sounds like your A/C needs a new filter, evap core needs to be cleaned and you probably need more refrigerant or failing A/C pressure sensor. Look into how cooling systems work and you'll see there isn't much to them. I believe Acura/Honda specs the A/C as putting air at 55F from the center vents
08-31-2016, 10:26 PM
#24
Null and proud of it
Thread Starter
sounds like your A/C needs a new filter, evap core needs to be cleaned and you probably need more refrigerant or failing A/C pressure sensor. Look into how cooling systems work and you'll see there isn't much to them. I believe Acura/Honda specs the A/C as putting air at 55F from the center vents
The RDX says 59>58>LO, so 57, I guess... Although this is just a figurative number for simple measure... So 55, I guess...
In the Yukon, I keep the rear vents off as 99% of the time he drives it by himself, no passengers hardly ever... Maybe twice a year at most...
The 1500 Chevrolet truck also has the cool air, as well as other Toyota/Lexus's I've been in and driven...
The RDX air also is just room temperature when parked, but when rolling, it's cool...
I almost always leave it on LO, even at night... Maybe 70 sometimes, but only at NIGHT!!!
So, I'm not crazy...
I know I need a cabin air filter, I'm sure...
Hiw how much would a recharge cost? It doesn't look hard, but I don't want to risk it...
So, I'll start to investigate that, thank you...
Keep the conversation going, I want to know what other have to think and say about it!!!
Good Reads!!!
08-31-2016, 10:29 PM
#25
Senior Moderator
In my Camry, I had the air at about 42F, with a thermo-meter....
The RDX says 59>58>LO, so 57, I guess... Although this is just a figurative number for simple measure... So 55, I guess...
In the Yukon, I keep the rear vents off as 99% of the time he drives it by himself, no passengers hardly ever... Maybe twice a year at most...
The 1500 Chevrolet truck also has the cool air, as well as other Toyota/Lexus's I've been in and driven...
The RDX air also is just room temperature when parked, but when rolling, it's cool...
I almost always leave it on LO, even at night... Maybe 70 sometimes, but only at NIGHT!!!
So, I'm not crazy...
I know I need a cabin air filter, I'm sure...
Hiw how much would a recharge cost? It doesn't look hard, but I don't want to risk it...
So, I'll start to investigate that, thank you...
Keep the conversation going, I want to know what other have to think and say about it!!!
Good Reads!!!
The RDX says 59>58>LO, so 57, I guess... Although this is just a figurative number for simple measure... So 55, I guess...
In the Yukon, I keep the rear vents off as 99% of the time he drives it by himself, no passengers hardly ever... Maybe twice a year at most...
The 1500 Chevrolet truck also has the cool air, as well as other Toyota/Lexus's I've been in and driven...
The RDX air also is just room temperature when parked, but when rolling, it's cool...
I almost always leave it on LO, even at night... Maybe 70 sometimes, but only at NIGHT!!!
So, I'm not crazy...
I know I need a cabin air filter, I'm sure...
Hiw how much would a recharge cost? It doesn't look hard, but I don't want to risk it...
So, I'll start to investigate that, thank you...
Keep the conversation going, I want to know what other have to think and say about it!!!
Good Reads!!!
Recharge should be under $100 from an A/C shop, and ask them to clean the evap core too as dust buildup can affect thermal transfer.
With the RDX, make sure your A/C fan under hood is running and that the relay hasn't failed. Common issue on older honda/acura cars with cooling fan and A/C fan relays. Cool when moving but heats up when stopped.
08-31-2016, 10:46 PM
#26
I don't have any scientific evidence to back up my claim but based on my personal experience, the AC in all of the 4 cylinders cars i had owned or i had driven in general just feel noticeably weaker than V6 and especially V8.
08-31-2016, 10:50 PM
#27
Senior Moderator
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Better Neighborhood, Arizona
Posts: 45,634
Received 2,328 Likes
on
1,308 Posts
I'd rate Honda A/C systems as 'good', most General Motors vehicles are 'excellent'. German brands in my experience tend to be average.
08-31-2016, 10:51 PM
#28
Null and proud of it
Thread Starter
The temp output from the vents honestly depends on the size of the evaporator, the speed of the air and also the amount of refrigerant. Low refrigerant means that no matter what volume of air or speed, it's going to be warm. Have a super cold evap core and slow moving air and it'll be ice cold, fast air and it won't be as cool.
Recharge should be under $100 from an A/C shop, and ask them to clean the evap core too as dust buildup can affect thermal transfer.
With the RDX, make sure your A/C fan under hood is running and that the relay hasn't failed. Common issue on older honda/acura cars with cooling fan and A/C fan relays. Cool when moving but heats up when stopped.
Recharge should be under $100 from an A/C shop, and ask them to clean the evap core too as dust buildup can affect thermal transfer.
With the RDX, make sure your A/C fan under hood is running and that the relay hasn't failed. Common issue on older honda/acura cars with cooling fan and A/C fan relays. Cool when moving but heats up when stopped.
Now, I know the compressor is working correctly, I notice it engage frequently and properly as it should...
A/C recharge is about $100, ok, not too bad... It should be cheaper in MS... Maybe $75, then...
Thanks...
08-31-2016, 10:55 PM
#29
Null and proud of it
Thread Starter
It shouldn't matter, TQ would help more there, and Honda's (older) usually don't have much...
I was was given a 2006 Scion XB in July while my hood was being wrapped, at about 100hp/100tq, it was still WAY colder than the RDX, and my old Kia Sportage (2007) had A/C that was barely any cooler than the RDX, and it was new...
I was was given a 2006 Scion XB in July while my hood was being wrapped, at about 100hp/100tq, it was still WAY colder than the RDX, and my old Kia Sportage (2007) had A/C that was barely any cooler than the RDX, and it was new...
08-31-2016, 11:47 PM
#30
Team Owner
In my Camry, I had the air at about 42F, with a thermo-meter....
The RDX says 59>58>LO, so 57, I guess... Although this is just a figurative number for simple measure... So 55, I guess...
In the Yukon, I keep the rear vents off as 99% of the time he drives it by himself, no passengers hardly ever... Maybe twice a year at most...
The 1500 Chevrolet truck also has the cool air, as well as other Toyota/Lexus's I've been in and driven...
The RDX air also is just room temperature when parked, but when rolling, it's cool...
I almost always leave it on LO, even at night... Maybe 70 sometimes, but only at NIGHT!!!
So, I'm not crazy...
I know I need a cabin air filter, I'm sure...
Hiw how much would a recharge cost? It doesn't look hard, but I don't want to risk it...
So, I'll start to investigate that, thank you...
Keep the conversation going, I want to know what other have to think and say about it!!!
Good Reads!!!
The RDX says 59>58>LO, so 57, I guess... Although this is just a figurative number for simple measure... So 55, I guess...
In the Yukon, I keep the rear vents off as 99% of the time he drives it by himself, no passengers hardly ever... Maybe twice a year at most...
The 1500 Chevrolet truck also has the cool air, as well as other Toyota/Lexus's I've been in and driven...
The RDX air also is just room temperature when parked, but when rolling, it's cool...
I almost always leave it on LO, even at night... Maybe 70 sometimes, but only at NIGHT!!!
So, I'm not crazy...
I know I need a cabin air filter, I'm sure...
Hiw how much would a recharge cost? It doesn't look hard, but I don't want to risk it...
So, I'll start to investigate that, thank you...
Keep the conversation going, I want to know what other have to think and say about it!!!
Good Reads!!!
Your Camry can go as low as 42F? i have never seen it that low in any car before.... isnt that close to freezing point? 32F
08-31-2016, 11:51 PM
#31
Team Owner
Did not expect this to be part of AC discussion.
But in reality, as superior as Honda's bhp is, at the end of the day it is still a 4 cylinder. Unless you tell me now Honda's 4 cylinders are so superior that it is equivalent to the 6 cylinders from others.
09-01-2016, 01:21 AM
#33
Team Owner
^
i am not going to debate this because it is silly. But my first car was a 98 Avalon and i still have a 06 Accord with K24.... I think i can tell who is faster
i am not going to debate this because it is silly. But my first car was a 98 Avalon and i still have a 06 Accord with K24.... I think i can tell who is faster
09-01-2016, 11:16 AM
#35
Team Owner
like i said this debate is silly. It makes me laugh just by even posting performance #s for ES300. But if you insist:
Also 0-60 means shit. you will know who is faster when you step on the gas at ANY speed between those 2.
If you pit new against old at the track, the performance numbers are also a wash. The V-6 whispers the same 210 horsepower and 220 pound-feet of torque as the previous ES we tested, but each pony now has 16.9 pounds to move instead of 16.5, due to the 96 additional pounds carried by our 3558-pound test car.
The additional payload apparently helped offset the slightly lower overall gearing of the new five-speed automatic, such that 60 mph arrived in 8.3 seconds, just as it did in February 2000, and the quarter-mile registered 16.2 seconds at 85 mph, within a newt's nose of the old car. As in the previous ES300, the thrust from the whole system is seamless, as it would be if the engine powered the car through an extension cord from across the street.
The additional payload apparently helped offset the slightly lower overall gearing of the new five-speed automatic, such that 60 mph arrived in 8.3 seconds, just as it did in February 2000, and the quarter-mile registered 16.2 seconds at 85 mph, within a newt's nose of the old car. As in the previous ES300, the thrust from the whole system is seamless, as it would be if the engine powered the car through an extension cord from across the street.
09-01-2016, 11:18 AM
#36
Senior Moderator
FFS mysterymeat, this was a a/c thread then became a dick swinging contest between different cars again?
collect your thoughts, make concise posts, and stop skipping the adderall..
fingerdiarrehea...
Ramblings move in
because that's where all your posts end up because you direct them that way with your inability to stay on topic
collect your thoughts, make concise posts, and stop skipping the adderall..
fingerdiarrehea...
Ramblings move in
because that's where all your posts end up because you direct them that way with your inability to stay on topic
The following users liked this post:
CLtotheTL32 (09-01-2016)
09-01-2016, 12:39 PM
#37
Moderator
iTrader: (3)
09-01-2016, 01:29 PM
#38
Team Owner
^ um... shall we start? ..... nah
09-02-2016, 12:19 AM
#39
Null and proud of it
Thread Starter
Yeah, I know... But I've driven both and the Accord is WAY faster!!!
I think something is wrong with the Lex though, but I love to hate Toyota's!!!
I mean, that Lex is about like my 2001 Camry... Watch an acceleration run video on that!!!
09-02-2016, 07:48 AM
#40
registered pw
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: south central pa
Age: 49
Posts: 38,821
Received 354 Likes
on
252 Posts
my 911 has a wonderful ac system. In my experience, trucks and convertibles have the best A/C systems. I don't know if this is by design in the case of the convertibles (putting oversized A/C unit in for top down operation) or because trucks have smaller cabin areas. But then again, truck based SUVs seem to do pretty good too and they have a lot of cabin space. But this has been my observation.
OP should check cabin air filter as a first step to make sure the system is working optimally.
OP should check cabin air filter as a first step to make sure the system is working optimally.