First post. Love the website. I don't use the AC much, but it seems like it takes about five minutes to start cooling. Is this normal or should I plan a dealer visit? Thanks

 

My AC takes about 15-20 seconds to get cold. No lie. And it is like 90 degrees, +15 with humidity in Florida. Idk, why it could take up to 5 minutes for you. But welcome!

 

Welcome to the forum. Enjoy the crowd.

You might try keeping the air selector switched to re-circulate to hurry the cooling, but what you're seeing it is normal. It's a just barely adequate A/C - but it does the job.

Also suggest adding a signature with the year/model of your ride. Helps others help you.

 

I keep mine on re-circulate almost all the time. It's like max cooling. Always colder on this setting.

Dan

 

Be cool with that Shock. A buddies daughter actually promoted a nasty mold growth in a new Saturn by never switching to outside air flow. Actually she wasn't even aware of the switch.... went for a long time before things started growing.

I use it like you say - "Max Cooling" then open it up to fresh - only this is my first summer with my ride and I can see that the greenhouse effect is more huge than the compressor. I be re-circulating a bit more I'm sure.

K_C_

 

The previous owner of mine seemed to have remedied the lack of performance by the a/c with using the recirculate all the time, and it's been a battle to get all the smell out of there. I think it's mostly gone, but if I switch it to that mode, it will smell a little bit.

The best remedy is to try and not park it in the sun. Sounds like something Steve Jobs would say.

 

I've been mindful of that. Not a problem really. Whenever I can NOT use the ac, I take advantage too. Lots of times I can get away with not opening the windows and putting on outside air like a cool fan and it's perfect- mostly at night of course. But because the ac does struggle to keep up on extreme days, resirc is needed longer and is the way to go with passengers- heck, even just yourself. You crack all windows to start to let the air circulate out while driving, throw the ac on resirc, close up the windows in a short while, let the ac kick in resirc for as long as you delight in actually feeling cooler the whole time! On mild days, outside air suffices.

Plus I make everyone in the car hold their breath the whole time.



Btw- I actually open all four doors before I get in for a minute to vent the car, mostly in my driveway when leaving for the day. To hurry the process, I'll open the hatch too sometimes. It gets sick, sick hot in there in the sun now. This initial cool down helps greatly when you can swing it. I also gotta get me a windshield visor too.

Dan

 

Thanks for all the great info! From the comments I suspect the a/c is functioning correctly, just a little under powered. Not a huge deal. I may mention it to the dealer next time I'm in for an oil change. Thanks again!!!!!!!

 

Good idea, only oil changes come every 7,000 miles more or less, so you probably wont see the dealer till Christmas_

 

I haven't hit the hottest part of summer yet, but I think the AC works fine if you help it out a bit at startup. Just roll down your windows for about 30 seconds with the AC set to outside air. Then roll up the windows and switch to recirculate. Your making the poor thing work way too hard if you start off recirculating hot air.