Need a consensus on a/c system

[toyo]

Now that it has started to get hot in Atlanta, I am using my a/c alot for the 1st time.
I have noticed that the difference between fresh and recirculate is about 15-18 degrees. I use a HVAC thermometer to determine this. When the vehicle is at idle at a light, in fresh mode, it only blows around 60 degrees.
If anybody is in a hot climate, check it out and see for me. Of course dealer says its normal.

 

[Iowa4Runner]

Using fresh mode in hot humid weather puts a huge load on your air conditioner. It not only has to drop the air temp, but is has to drop the dewpoint of the air from ~75 to 50 or 60. Every car I've owned does the same thing your 4Runner is doing. And I might dare to say that if your air conditioner doesn't show a temp difference between recirc and fresh on a hot muggy day at idle, it might be oversized. Now whether 15-18 degrees is normal or average or not, that's tough to say. But the fact that there is a difference doesn't necessarily mean your A/C is having problems. So unless you have a need otherwise, use recirc and you'll be cooler, drier, and you'll work the A/C less.

 

[darktiger]

I noticed when I use recirc, I stay cooler, drier, etc. So mine stays on 100% of the time. Atlanta has the same temp as San Antonio and about the same humidity. I use to live in Griffin, so I know...........

 

[Ghost Rider]

No problems with the AC freezing in recirc?? My WRX always did, so I left it on fresh air all the time... Because of that, I leave the Ghost on fresh, too...

I'll try recirc for a few days and see if it freezes up... Plenty of humidity here in DC lately...

 

[sire]

I always use the fresh air mode in mine because of previous problems using recirculation all the time, unless I am driving through smoke or other stuff.

The constant use of recirculation set conditions for mold and mildew to appear in the ac system. I would get into the vehicle after a day in the sun and you would get hit in the face with that mold odor.

From what I recall to avoid this from occurring they recommend you periodically use the fresh air system to avoid mildew. The fresh air would dry things up.

I knew some people who would pour stuff into their vents to try and get rid of the mildew odor. For sure if it was me I would change it to fresh air prior to getting to your destination.

Heck, even using the fresh air the 4runner system appears to have the best ac system than any previous vehicle I have owned.

To each his own of course.

Mike

 

[toyo]

Well the dealer looked at my car yesterday, and they said all is fine. My digital them does not go below 60 when the a/c is in fresh mode while the vehicle is stopped. That just isnt correct. I will take it to another dealer and see what they say.

 

[Mark86]

I heard a couple of months ago on CNN news that you should not leave your AC on recirculate mode for a long period of time. They say that causes carbon monoxide in the cabin and could lead to death. Since I heard that, I usually leave it on recirculate until it cools off and then I switch it to fresh. I do not know if that is true though. Has anyone else heard about this?

 

[bluewolf]

Our 4Runner wants to toggle between recirculate and fresh air. In fact, I thought it was odd at first that I would get in, start up the vehicle, and the recirc air button would be on when I didn't leave it on. I asked my tech, and he said it was normal, and will come on automatically depending upon the relationship between the inside and outside air temp. It usually automatically on recirc, for example, if I get into the vehicle on a hot day and the cabin temp is quite hot. It usually goes back off as soon as the cabin temp gets down to a more comfortable level, then it will come on and go off periodically. The auto-recirc feature happens in both the auto and manual hvac modes.