Is my AC cold enough?

[Jonas]

I just measured my AC temp with a thermometer inserted 2-3 inches into the center vent, fan on low, recirculate on, 96 degrees outside, partially in the sun, vent temp is 46 degrees at idle. Is that as good as it gets or is something off? Thanks.

 

[2010Civic]

I would consider that pretty normal.

 

[The_Jeff]

That sounds good to me. Crank that fan up and go for a drive and it'll be a few degrees less.

 

[Rand]

Without knowing more info such as if it was on recirc(and air temp inside car) or fresh air,

I'd say thats pretty good at idle with 96F outside.

 

[Nick1994]

Test again while driving. My Camry is 40 degrees at the vents even on high, at 118 degrees outside. My Genesis is 40-45.

 

[Jonas]

That sounds good to me. Crank that fan up and go for a drive and it'll be a few degrees less.

Test again while driving. My Camry is 40 degrees at the vents even on high, at 118 degrees outside. My Genesis is 40-45.

The temp drops about 2-3 degrees while driving. Also, my thermometer reads about 50 with the fan on high. I've read that's normal for the temp to decrease with more air flow.

 

[GSCJR]

You're correct; It sounds like it's working as intended. The faster the blower spins, the warmer the air becomes.

 

[Jonas]

Without knowing more info such as if it was on recirc(and air temp inside car) or fresh air,

I'd say thats pretty good at idle with 96F outside.

recirc is on. It doesn't go below 60 with it off.

 

[Jonas]

Thanks everyone. I read somewhere the Vibe AC is not the same/not as good as the Corolla/Matrix AC. One thing I do know is that my Vibe AC only takes 16 oz of refrigerant.

 

[Yah-Tah-Hey]

Any AC system capable 30F difference between ambient and passenger compartment is working as designed. 50 F difference is a dream.

 

[Jonas]

Any AC system capable 30F difference between ambient and passenger compartment is working as designed. 50 F difference is a dream.

I'll check the cabin temperature again. I checked earlier today with the thermometer in the cup holder and it was about 82. Then again, the cabin is around 130 when i get in in the afternoon.

 

[Tman220]

Do those vehicles have variable displacement AC compressors? If they don't, expect less performance at idle. They are usually charged and sized to a point to work the best while driving down the road.

Also even with variable displacement compressors you will not blow as cool air at idle just because even if your cooling fan on high it's not moving as much air over the condenser compared to even driving 45-50 mph

 

[Jonas]

Do those vehicles have variable displacement AC compressors? If they do, expect less performance at idle. They are usually charged and sized to a point to work the best while driving down the road.

Also even with variable displacement compressors you will not blow as cool air at idle just because even if your cooling fan on high it's not moving as much air over the condenser compared to even driving 45-50 mph

Yes, I believe it's variable displacement with a control valve. I am experiencing less performance at idle, though. It cools down 2-3 degrees while driving.

 

[Jonas]

Well, it's not cold enough. Sun out and idling it blows around 55 degrees. Cloudy, while driving it gets down to about 46 degrees. 95 degrees outside again today. Any ideas?

 

[mightymousetech]

To test properly, set to “max a/c”, and hold the engine at 3000 rpm and take a temp reading.

Repair instructions will have charts on what temp is expected based on ambient temp and humidity.

 

[Jonas]

To test properly, set to “max a/c”, and hold the engine at 3000 rpm and take a temp reading.

Repair instructions will have charts on what temp is expected based on ambient temp and humidity.

Thanks. I'm still trying to find that info. It makes sense to determine if the ac just sucks or if something could be wrong first. Any tips on where to find free repair manuals?

 

[Nick1994]

Well, it's not cold enough. Sun out and idling it blows around 55 degrees. Cloudy, while driving it gets down to about 46 degrees. 95 degrees outside again today. Any ideas?

When was it last charged properly with an A/C machine? A/C systems do leak a tiny bit which is normal, they may need to be evacuated and recharged every 5-6 years.

 

[tyman]

When I took the CR-V in a few weeks ago due to not cooling, they said it was low and topped it off, and that it was blowing 42* at the vents.

 

[Jonas]

When was it last charged properly with an A/C machine? A/C systems do leak a tiny bit which is normal, they may need to be evacuated and recharged every 5-6 years.

Compressor replaced and re charged just over a month ago.

 

[Jonas]

When I took the CR-V in a few weeks ago due to not cooling, they said it was low and topped it off, and that it was blowing 42* at the vents.

I added som refrigerant and it got colder at idle, but shut off when I started driving. I'm pretty sure it's full.