I have a question if you would answer it please. Since there is so much more interior space inside compared to a car. I was wondering how good the air conditioning, and heating is for the V8 4WD 4 Runner. I would really like to hear from just owners of the 2006 model year, unless no change has taken place to the HVAC in older models. (2003 to 2006)
Air Conditioner & heating for 2006 model year
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Expat
Banned
Compared to what? There are so many brands of "cars" to compare it with, unless you know the specific vehicle being compared to, how can you make any valid comments.
For example I know my 4Runner cools down quicker than my wifes Corolla, but there are factors - color of the car as one simple example, age of the cars (technology = efficiency) as another.
An 80's Porsche 911 has pretty poor cooling compared to a Honda from the same period - warm (Asia) vs cool climate (Europe) priorities........
For example I know my 4Runner cools down quicker than my wifes Corolla, but there are factors - color of the car as one simple example, age of the cars (technology = efficiency) as another.
An 80's Porsche 911 has pretty poor cooling compared to a Honda from the same period - warm (Asia) vs cool climate (Europe) priorities........
greasefingers
New member
There is more interior space in a Suburban or minivan, & they have no problem. In general: the larger the vehicle that larger the evaporator, condenser, & compressor.
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I can't say anything for heating because I just had my '06 for a month now, but the cooling seems to work as well if not better than the car it replaced, a Nissan 350Z. Both have black interiors and the Z had that large glass on the hatch. I think the air conditioning does an excellent job of cooling and my passengers have no complaints with the rear vents in the console also.
Jeff Kleb
New member
4Runner A/C
IMHO, it works just fine. I have no issue with the amount of cold air it puts out, but find the operations/controls somewhat cumbersome.
I won't say that Ford and Nissan make better vehicles than Toyota, but the A/C controls are much simpler to use and operate. I also find that the 4Runner always defaults to the "recirculate" mode when you turn off the key. A minor gripe, but still one of those things that frosts my grommet.
:bash:
The rear-seat passenger (usually my son) does like the vents behind the center storage console/armrest vents which effectively help to cool him down when we get into a hot car that has been sitting outside.
In the colder months, the heat works just fine as well.
P.S. Out of all the cars I have owned during the last 25 years, I think the coldest A/C was in my 1978 Oldsmobile Ninety-Eight. It would actually toss out snowflakes from the air vents! I had a 1995 Mustang GT that also had some seriously cold A/C.
:bigok:
IMHO, it works just fine. I have no issue with the amount of cold air it puts out, but find the operations/controls somewhat cumbersome.
I won't say that Ford and Nissan make better vehicles than Toyota, but the A/C controls are much simpler to use and operate. I also find that the 4Runner always defaults to the "recirculate" mode when you turn off the key. A minor gripe, but still one of those things that frosts my grommet.
:bash:
The rear-seat passenger (usually my son) does like the vents behind the center storage console/armrest vents which effectively help to cool him down when we get into a hot car that has been sitting outside.
In the colder months, the heat works just fine as well.
P.S. Out of all the cars I have owned during the last 25 years, I think the coldest A/C was in my 1978 Oldsmobile Ninety-Eight. It would actually toss out snowflakes from the air vents! I had a 1995 Mustang GT that also had some seriously cold A/C.
:bigok:
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Expat
Banned
Jeff is on the mark. My kids think the rear a/c is pretty effective. The controls suck.
I have noticed in the past week when the SFV temps have been above 100 every day (120 yesterday!) and on some trips to desert areas like Death Valley and Anza Borrego that the a/c has to running all the time at full blast.
I don't believe the a/c in the 4Runner is as cold as a few Mitsubishi cars and wagons I've had previously.
In other words, its ok but I'd like it to get freezing cold at times, which it doesn't. The heating system is awesome - but then I live in sunny SoCal!
I have noticed in the past week when the SFV temps have been above 100 every day (120 yesterday!) and on some trips to desert areas like Death Valley and Anza Borrego that the a/c has to running all the time at full blast.
I don't believe the a/c in the 4Runner is as cold as a few Mitsubishi cars and wagons I've had previously.
In other words, its ok but I'd like it to get freezing cold at times, which it doesn't. The heating system is awesome - but then I live in sunny SoCal!
boston_kevin
New member
greasefingers said:
Yes, but the Suburbans have dual compressors and a larger heater core. The second compressor is not belt driven, so it sits over the rear axle.
The larger the interior space, the longer it will take to heat or cool evenly. For the driver's space, I do not notice a huge difference between my 4Runner and my neighbor's Maxima. It's those finicky rear-seat passengers that want more heating and cooling faster, but even so, I find the HVAC system on the 4Runners to be quite efficient.
I bought mine this spring, so I don't know about the heating. I'd say the A/C is good, but when it was in the 90's last week, it did take a little longer to cool off the car. I'd expect that given the size of the interior. The sunroof is huge, and I usually keep the shade closed in the summer to help keep the sun out.
All trim levels have automatic climate contol as a standard feature. That's awesome if you're used to climate control, and it's bad if you're used to playing with the temperature knobs all the time. While I agree the controls suck, I haven't touched them in months. I leave it on "Auto" at 73 degrees, and the computer does just fine. It will put the system into recirculate mode at first, but that's the most efficient way to cool the air quickly. After a few minutes it will automatically switch back to fresh air.
All trim levels have automatic climate contol as a standard feature. That's awesome if you're used to climate control, and it's bad if you're used to playing with the temperature knobs all the time. While I agree the controls suck, I haven't touched them in months. I leave it on "Auto" at 73 degrees, and the computer does just fine. It will put the system into recirculate mode at first, but that's the most efficient way to cool the air quickly. After a few minutes it will automatically switch back to fresh air.
007Runner said:
it's 100+ degrees out here in denver nowsdays and my 06 t4r does A/C cooling just fine. In fact, i almost want to eat/sleep/live inside my t4r cuz i cant afford to keep my house as cool as my t4r
as for heating, it was never an issue, even at the coldest weather. most modern cars will have no problem with heating unless it's Ford. But i've occasionally ran into cars with weak A/C cooling and my t4r isn't one of them.
Thank you for the replies. I must say that I am surprised by the knowlege of some of the answers. My question got answered and then some. If the system can keep the inside cool at a outdoor temp of 100 that is good enough for me.
I think the wife is going to go for the 4Runner instead of the Rav4. At breakfast I caught her reading the 4Runner booklet, and I saw the Rav4 info in the trash under some egg shells.
She looks at me and says, remember that blizzard we had, do you think the 4Runner would be able to go in 28 in of snow, I say to her if we lock the differential I think it might do just fine, but I know for sure the Rav4 is just plain stuck. She says are you sure, I told her I am positive the Rav4 is worthless, but the 4Runner will at least have a chance, it has low range and we can lock the differentials, mind you this type of storm is about a one in every 10 year event. Plus we have warnings galore. She started asking me about colors
This for sure will be the next car. She got me thinking, I really do wonder how much snow the 4Runner can really get through? Last winter we both saw a older 4Runner blast through 16 inches plus the plowed snow at the end of the driveway, that was impressive.
I think the wife is going to go for the 4Runner instead of the Rav4. At breakfast I caught her reading the 4Runner booklet, and I saw the Rav4 info in the trash under some egg shells.
She looks at me and says, remember that blizzard we had, do you think the 4Runner would be able to go in 28 in of snow, I say to her if we lock the differential I think it might do just fine, but I know for sure the Rav4 is just plain stuck. She says are you sure, I told her I am positive the Rav4 is worthless, but the 4Runner will at least have a chance, it has low range and we can lock the differentials, mind you this type of storm is about a one in every 10 year event. Plus we have warnings galore. She started asking me about colors
This for sure will be the next car. She got me thinking, I really do wonder how much snow the 4Runner can really get through? Last winter we both saw a older 4Runner blast through 16 inches plus the plowed snow at the end of the driveway, that was impressive.
boston_kevin
New member
I've been through 26-30" of snow here in the Northeast without much problem (little slippage of the tires). If I had better tires (still have the stock Dunlops), I probably wouldn't have had any issues. If you decide on the 4Runner, ask the dealer to swap out the tires (if you have Dunlops) for Michelin's Cross Terrain or Duelers.. Anything but Dunlops!
I should mention that the VSC/TRAC systems keep me in control at all times, and I have never been stuck.
I should mention that the VSC/TRAC systems keep me in control at all times, and I have never been stuck.
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I bought mine in March, so I can't comment on cold weather (to be fair, we really don't get very cold weather here in Atlanta), but I can comment on how the AC is doing this summer with the mid to high 90's weather we're already having. The car has cooled down very well and stays cool when the AC is on. I used to not be a fan of the auto AC setting in other cars I've owned, but I really like it in the 4Runner. I just keep the temp at 70 and leave it on auto and the car takes care of itself. Very nice.
