On days like today does your car A/C actually keep you cool?

[Anonymous]

I have a 2011 Jeep Liberty. The A/C NEVER feels “cold”. I’ve brought it to the shop multiple times and they can never find anything wrong, no leaks, nothing.

I’m wondering if my expectations are too high or perhaps I need to try a new body shop and get a new car. If you love your car A/C, let me know what you have!

[Anonymous]

But does it feel cold when it comes out of the vent on a 75 degree day? If it doesn't, yes, your A/C is not cooling as it should.

I have 16 and 10 year old basic Japanese cars. On a recent 99 degree day, the A/C at full blast kept us from melting. "Cool"? That's not in our vocabulary when it comes to cars and hot days! But I know it's "working".

[Anonymous]

I have a 2013 (different model car) and if I’m sitting at a light or in traffic, the AC doesn’t work well. I figure it’s the age of my car.

[Anonymous]

Yes. I have a 19 year old 2002 Toyota Camry, with the original AC system. It works super well.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yes. I have a 19 year old 2002 Toyota Camry, with the original AC system. It works super well.

my 2004 odyssey with the original ac system works well too

[Anonymous]

Have you tried putting the AC on re-circulate? In really hot humid climates (like 90+ days in DC) you need to use re-circulate, otherwise the car cannot cool the air coming in quickly enough.

[Anonymous]

Sounds like the refrigerant level in your AC system is low, OP.

[Anonymous]

I have a 2016 Kia Soul and live in AZ where it is regularly over 110. Yes, my car AC does keep me cool.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have a 2013 (different model car) and if I’m sitting at a light or in traffic, the AC doesn’t work well. I figure it’s the age of my car.

We have a 2019 Subaru and experienced this issue for the first time while sitting in the drive thru for 25 minutes at an In-n-Out in the hot Utah sun. After about 10 minutes of idling in the drive-thru line, the internal car temp started increasing. The A/C vents were just blowing out luke warm air.

The idling engine alone isn't enough to produce cold temps. You actually need to be driving for the A/C to work properly and create cold air.

[Anonymous]

We have a 2006 4runner with ice cold A/C. My 99 Camry had ice cold A/C. But my last car—a 2012 Acura—had crappy luke cool A/C, especially at lights. I took it to the dealer…I took it to mechanics…they all said it was fine. (Or they said they fixed it, and gave it back to me in the same condition.)

I finally sold it. It’s a deal breaker in these parts.

Been car shopping this summer, and on all my test drives so far, the A/C has worked great. But I’m only testing Toyotas.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We have a 2006 4runner with ice cold A/C. My 99 Camry had ice cold A/C. But my last car—a 2012 Acura—had crappy luke cool A/C, especially at lights. I took it to the dealer…I took it to mechanics…they all said it was fine. (Or they said they fixed it, and gave it back to me in the same condition.)

I finally sold it. It’s a deal breaker in these parts.

Been car shopping this summer, and on all my test drives so far, the A/C has worked great. But I’m only testing Toyotas.

I’m sitting in the 4Runner right now waiting for my son to get out of camp. It feels great. So I don’t think all car A/Cs suck when they’re idling, like my last car’s did.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Have you tried putting the AC on re-circulate? In really hot humid climates (like 90+ days in DC) you need to use re-circulate, otherwise the car cannot cool the air coming in quickly enough.

This is a good tip, I'm going to try it. I have a 2012 Corolla, if I really need to cool down on a hot day I have to keep it on full blast. It'll eventually get really cold and then I can turn it down one notch.

[Anonymous]

My Rubicon has great A/C. The prior Wrangler, notsomuch. Don’t use it often, though. Prefer the open air experience. If setting to recirculate doesn’t work, take it in to be checked.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Have you tried putting the AC on re-circulate? In really hot humid climates (like 90+ days in DC) you need to use re-circulate, otherwise the car cannot cool the air coming in quickly enough.

This is a good tip, I'm going to try it. I have a 2012 Corolla, if I really need to cool down on a hot day I have to keep it on full blast. It'll eventually get really cold and then I can turn it down one notch.

Doesn’t everyone use recirculate around here? Driving in DC roads I always smell the cars in front of me exhaust unless we recirculate. This is not just my car, I notice this in rentals wherever we go. I think to bring in fresh air only works well on country roads.

[Anonymous]

Absolutely. My 2014 Honda Odyssey could freeze me out, even today.