AC cooling.
#1
Intermediate
Thread Starter
AC cooling.
I'm trying to determine if my AC is weak or the temp sensor is off. I have to turn it down to 65 in auto in order to get what in other cars give me at 70.
#2
Burning Brakes
All I can tell you is we bought ours in Las Vegas and drove back home to Reno last month. My thought at the time was that it was pretty bad...very bad. We have not used it since partly because we did not need it in Reno and partly because we have only driven it 75 miles in the last 5 weeks. I hope your post is not an indicator that it really does not work well. While completely unrelated, we have a third car, a 2003 Accord, and that thing spits out ice cubes it's so cold.
#3
I have the same issue coming from a Hyundai Genesis 2016. I could get frostbite set on 72. I have to set to 65 and the thing never stops blowing and it was only in 80-90. It gets over 110 here.
I did see another post saying that some of the cars were OVERFILLED with freon and if you vent off some it will get alot colder. When I take for first service Ill have them check it.
I did see another post saying that some of the cars were OVERFILLED with freon and if you vent off some it will get alot colder. When I take for first service Ill have them check it.
#4
Intermediate
Thread Starter
It'll be interesting to see what others post. When we test drove and purchased it was cold, so it wasn't till we owned it a week that the temps went back up .I have a feeling it will be an issue, but hoping not.
#5
Drifting
Join Date: Apr 2018
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Mine works fine. IIRC, being bigger than a sedan, it took longer to cool off the whole car, but it is set at the same number my Aacord is, and my BMW was, and holds the same temp.
But, I am in the NE, and conditions are not as severe, and the car starts off in the garage.
But, I am in the NE, and conditions are not as severe, and the car starts off in the garage.
#7
Mine also appears to be fine, but I am in So Cal and the last time I used it, it was around 85 F outside on a sunny day around noon (car was parked inside home garage). I started setting the temp to 70 (setting it lower would be too clod for me) and in no more than 5 minutes, I bumped it to 75 and this is normally what I do with my previous 2004 Toyota Highlander.
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#8
Instructor
One of the first times we used the A/C it also was not impressive. I found that it was set to blow air only on the windshield (defrost) and the foot wells. On a hot day even cold air blowing against the glass produced warm air. Resetting the system to the center vents produced excellent A/C. We have it set at 74 degrees all the time.
Last edited by B25Nut; 10-29-2018 at 06:14 PM. Reason: Adding to it
#9
Instructor
In the thread I pasted the link to below, a member named Metro says his climate control issue was fixed after Acura sent a team to look at his car. He was having a bunch of issues. Scan the thread to see what was up. Look at posts 103 and 111. We asked him what they did to fix the climate control problem but he never answered. Maybe you could send him a PM to see what the issue was and how it was fixed.
https://acurazine.com/forums/third-g...-972599/page3/
https://acurazine.com/forums/third-g...-972599/page3/
#10
Why guess?
Instead of wondering, take a thermometer with you, set a temperature & see if it maintains that temperature or not.
My 2019 Advance works perfectly maintaining whatever temp I set, even back in late August in 95-100 degree heat & full sun.
If yours doesn't, take it to the dealer.
My 2019 Advance works perfectly maintaining whatever temp I set, even back in late August in 95-100 degree heat & full sun.
If yours doesn't, take it to the dealer.
#12
Wifes car - 2013 acura rdx
My car - 2012 Acura TL
Both auto climate controls.
I have to bump hers down to 63-65 to see the same level of cooling as my car at 66-68
I think it is just an SUV can sedan and where all of the sensors are, plus it is a much bigger volume to cool.
My car - 2012 Acura TL
Both auto climate controls.
I have to bump hers down to 63-65 to see the same level of cooling as my car at 66-68
I think it is just an SUV can sedan and where all of the sensors are, plus it is a much bigger volume to cool.
#13
One thing to keep in mind is that the RDX (and some other models with idle stop) use what is called a "cold storage evaporator" instead of a traditional evaporator. The cold storage evaporator takes longer to blow cool air because of the additional thermal mass, but allows the system to continue blowing cool air for a few minutes after the engine shuts off. Without the cold storage evaporator, the system would blow cool air more quickly after the engine is started, but the air could become uncomfortably warm and humid just seconds after the engine shut off while stopped at a red light.
Also, many Honda models with automatic climate control have a "customization function" that allows the temperature to be offset by +/-1.5°C (+/-2.7°F). I assume the RDX is the same. This is not something that is listed in the Owner's Manual, but can be found in the service information.
Also, many Honda models with automatic climate control have a "customization function" that allows the temperature to be offset by +/-1.5°C (+/-2.7°F). I assume the RDX is the same. This is not something that is listed in the Owner's Manual, but can be found in the service information.
Last edited by zroger73; 10-30-2018 at 03:54 PM.
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Outfitter (10-31-2018)
#15
My RDX had trouble maintaining a comfortable environment during the peak times of oppressive heat and humidity. Had to have it on the fastest fan speed just to keep up. Will keep an eye on it next summer. Otherwise, I love my RDX. These vehicles use R1234 refrigerant to satisfy the environmental wackos and tree huggers, not as efficient as R134, which was not as good as the old R12 refrigerant.
Last edited by MarineOne; 10-30-2018 at 08:10 PM.
#16
My RDX had trouble maintaining a comfortable environment during the peak times of oppressive heat and humidity. Had to have it on the fastest fan speed just to keep up. Will keep an eye on it next summer. Otherwise, I love my RDX. These vehicles use R1234 refrigerant to satisfy the environmental wackos and tree huggers, not as efficient as R134, which was not as good as the old R12 refrigerant.
Until 2008, A/C use was not a factor in the EPA's fuel economy estimates, so manufacturers paid little attention to A/C efficiency and used inefficient logic and oversized systems. Beginning in 2008, A/C use became a factor in fuel economy numbers. Since then, manufacturers started making A/C systems more efficient through changes in control logic such as using recirculated air more often and reducing excess capacity.
If R1234yf was "inferior" to R134a or R12 and/or the RDX's system was poorly designed, then ALL RDX's would experience poor A/C performance, but that's clearly not the case. My 2019 RDX cools just as well or better in the 100ºF Texas heat as did my 1994 Ford Escort with R134a and my 1969 Buick Skylark with R12.
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Outfitter (10-31-2018)
#17
Intermediate
Thread Starter
One thing to keep in mind is that the RDX (and some other models with idle stop) use what is called a "cold storage evaporator" instead of a traditional evaporator. The cold storage evaporator takes longer to blow cool air because of the additional thermal mass, but allows the system to continue blowing cool air for a few minutes after the engine shuts off. Without the cold storage evaporator, the system would blow cool air more quickly after the engine is started, but the air could become uncomfortably warm and humid just seconds after the engine shut off while stopped at a red light.
Also, many Honda models with automatic climate control have a "customization function" that allows the temperature to be offset by +/-1.5°C (+/-2.7°F). I assume the RDX is the same. This is not something that is listed in the Owner's Manual, but can be found in the service information.
Also, many Honda models with automatic climate control have a "customization function" that allows the temperature to be offset by +/-1.5°C (+/-2.7°F). I assume the RDX is the same. This is not something that is listed in the Owner's Manual, but can be found in the service information.
This may be some of what I’m experiencing. When it really felt like it wasn’t working was as my wife picked me up at the airport. The car was on and off for a good 20 mins as she waited on me. Also, it was a very humid day, and I’ve noticed as soon as the car shuts off at a light, you feel the humidity. One tactic I’ll try is turning off the start/stop above 85 degrees.
Lots of great info here. Appreciate it.
#18
What ya'll are experiencing is a weak AC system. Got nothing to do with auto stop/start nor the refrigerant used. It's just weak. We are at the very tale end of summer where I live, but it's still near 90 everyday. The RDX simply cannot keep up. My GLC 300 on the other hand is a beast. When it's 98 outside, with the system set to 75 you need a sweater. When I drove the RDX home from the dealer a few weeks ago, it had a difficult time keeping the cabin comfortable.
#19
Just because a system is designed for R1234, and may be efficient by lab standards, does not mean it will translate into real-world comfort levels. Comfort is subjective, what feels warm to me may be comfortable to someone else. Auto makers are under the gun to maximize CAFE. Are the system components in the RDX as robust as the ones used in a full-size pickup with a big V8, I don’t know. Is this a valid apple-to-apples comparison, I don’t know. Auto makers are shaving ounces from their vehicles, every bit helps. One can lab test all they want, but my real-world experience tells me the RDX system is weak. (It may be something simple as an over/under charged system).
#20
Intermediate
Thread Starter
Just because a system is designed for R1234, and may be efficient by lab standards, does not mean it will translate into real-world comfort levels. Comfort is subjective, what feels warm to me may be comfortable to someone else. Auto makers are under the gun to maximize CAFE. Are the system components in the RDX as robust as the ones used in a full-size pickup with a big V8, I don’t know. Is this a valid apple-to-apples comparison, I don’t know. Auto makers are shaving ounces from their vehicles, every bit helps. One can lab test all they want, but my real-world experience tells me the RDX system is weak. (It may be something simple as an over/under charged system).
Two things to consider. One is placement of the cabin temp sensor. This car has two sensors. One of which is under the steering column. The other near the base of the windshiled. If the column sensor is primary, on a warm day that'll read cooler than where you're actually seated and the system will run warmer than you might want. Second is front windshield and pano roof. Honda loves a big front windshield. This car is no exception and it slopes way back so lots of heat in the front area from that. As for the roof, you have a big piece of warm glass up there with just a shade pulled under it. No real insulation. Just shade.
Just some ideas. Maybe I'm way off.
#21
Burning Brakes
Well this (possibly) stinks. I have never had a car with a "bad" A.C. in it before, but based on my brief use of, and the experience of some others posting here, the RDX mat very well have an issue.
#22
Cooling capacity is a function of system design (compressor, condensor, evaporator, etc.), not cylinder count. An automotive air conditioning compressor typically requires 5-10 HP to operate at full capacity - far less than even the smallest engines can produce. A tiny Smart car is on the smaller end of the range not because the engine is incapable of powering the compressor, but because there's very little cabin space that required cooling. A full-size SUV will be on the upper end of this range because there's more cabin space.
All 2019 RDX's have the same A/C system components, so if one cools fine on a 100°F day and one doesn't, then the reason is NOT because the system is poorly designed ("weak").
There is only ONE temperature sensor in the cabin - it's located under the steering column. The sensor on top of the dash is a sunload sensor - it's used to increase fan speed and lower outlet temperature slightly when sun is shining into the cabin to offset the effects of radiant heat. On trims with navigation, the solar angle obtained from GPS coordinates allows further adjustments to compensate based on the direction from which sunlight is entering the cabin.
All 2019 RDX's have the same A/C system components, so if one cools fine on a 100°F day and one doesn't, then the reason is NOT because the system is poorly designed ("weak").
There is only ONE temperature sensor in the cabin - it's located under the steering column. The sensor on top of the dash is a sunload sensor - it's used to increase fan speed and lower outlet temperature slightly when sun is shining into the cabin to offset the effects of radiant heat. On trims with navigation, the solar angle obtained from GPS coordinates allows further adjustments to compensate based on the direction from which sunlight is entering the cabin.
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