Pro tips for the AC when it's over 100?

[mrt6644]

This is probably my one complaint about the 4Runner, the AC system.

1: I don't think the fan is very effective. Everything less than Full or just below full setting is very weak and not noticeable.
2: The air isn't that cold. My wife's BMW is sooooo much better. Much colder air, and much more powerful fan.
VW AC as well.
I don't know why the skimp on the AC.

 

[SATSTRAIL]

I live in Phoenix Arizona where it is smoking hot through the summer, 115 average. Lately it's been around 118°. Yes it takes a little bit of time to cool down the interior of the Toyota but overall I've been pretty happy with its performance. Jump in an Infiniti QX56/QX80 and you'll appreciate your 4Runner more... And you payed less than half as much.

 

[(none)]

This is probably my one complaint about the 4Runner, the AC system.

1: I don't think the fan is very effective. Everything less than Full or just below full setting is very weak and not noticeable.
2: The air isn't that cold. My wife's BMW is sooooo much better. Much colder air, and much more powerful fan.
VW AC as well.
I don't know why the skimp on the AC.

Guess this is what needs to be clarified. Is everyone referring to the air coming out of the vents not being cool enough (temperature wise) or the air out of the vents not being strong enough (volume wise)?

For the first issue, I can occasionally see that. I blame that on only having the mechanical fan doing engine cooling and condenser cooling duties. If the coolant isn't warm enough and you are at a low speed, the fan isn't pulling a lot of air through the condenser which can increase A/C temps. Many vehicles (such as the lexus GXs cousin) run an aux electric pusher fan on the front of the radiator to help with this issue. Once everything is good and hot, it isn't as much of an issue, as the fan engages and pulls quite a bit of air. Also not as much of a concern on the highway due to all of the airflow.

The 2nd issue could be caused by a blocked cabin filter, but also the controls contribute to this. Usually starting off with only the dash vents on helps. Recirculation mode is automatically selected above a certain outside temp and helps cool things down inside, but when moving quickly, turning off recirc will increase airflow as you now get the pressure of the outside air as well. but now you are introducing warmer air to the system.

 

[Ron4RNevada]

Mine seems fine. Been above 100 the past few days. I don't do anything different than when it's cooler - It just takes a couple minutes longer than normal til comfortable.

Doesn't matter if I'm on the highway, in traffic in Reno or crawling at five mph off-road. Only difference is that I reach up and aim the vents towards me a bit more. Actually I think recirc should only be used the first two minutes - regular venting seems to work the best.

 

[DesertCanyons]

AC not cooling and your fridge

I had this problem last week. Discovered I had turned the vent dial half way between dash and foot to defroster or something. Once I set it right it seemed to work much better. It's been hot here in So Cal lately.

Hint: If you're running a fridge inside the car it's heating the interior cab space. A fridge, like any auto AC unit, is just a heat exchange unit. It takes the heat from inside the box and transfers it to the air space around it. Your car does the same thing, exchanging heat to the great outdoors. It cools lots of air and returns the heat out to the radiator where the compressor returns the coolant, which expands in the interior coils and gets cold, cooling the interior in the air path of the fan.

All AC works the same way. Your house has the condenser, coils, fan and compressor on the outside and a fan coil unit inside, Usually in the central forced air unit, the air exchange box and ducts inside your house.

There's no free cold air south of the artic circle. eace:

 

[TK-422]

I would only get a white/Silver/Gold vehicle in SoCal. I drive a dark blue van for work and it sucks how hot it gets inside.

I also have a sunshade made for the 4Runner. It's gold on one side and black on the other. It was expensive compared to the generic ones but fits right on the windshield. Gold Series 4Runner Windshield It also helps for privacy when camping.

 

[kenwilliams0803]

I live in Phoenix Arizona where it is smoking hot through the summer, 115 average. Lately it's been around 118°. Yes it takes a little bit of time to cool down the interior of the Toyota but overall I've been pretty happy with its performance. Jump in an Infiniti QX56/QX80 and you'll appreciate your 4Runner more... And you payed less than half as much.

I can agree, as someone whose wife drives a QX56. The A/C in it is pretty bad, even when freshly charged. And there are no mechanical issues with it. Makes my 4 runner look like an ice box.

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

 

[Forest RnR]

I am a Phoenix native, and the summer sucks. Not much to do about it other than have access to a pool, drive to the trees (MR, Flagg, White Mountains) or make friends with someone that owns a boat. My advice if the car has been parked is have the back windows open for 1-2 minutes to blow out the super heater air that is stuck inside, then crank the A/C until late October early November. Oh and get your house A/C serviced annually, this can save you a bunch of money and pain down the road.

 

[Muzzle of Bees]

Some of the comments are funny. Yep, I will go right out and get a pool for me to swim in my 4Runner. I dont think the AC in the 4Runner in not properly piped. It seems the front gets all the air and the back hardly gets any air. There may be a way to adjust the vents so the air flows to the back to cool the but I do not have all day to perfectly adjust them.

 

[Forest RnR]

Some of the comments are funny. Yep, I will go right out and get a pool for me to swim in my 4Runner. I dont think the AC in the 4Runner in not properly piped. It seems the front gets all the air and the back hardly gets any air. There may be a way to adjust the vents so the air flows to the back to cool the but I do not have all day to perfectly adjust them.

So insightful, yes, I meant for the OP to swim in his 4R. That was a basic tip regarding summer survival. The windows down for a minute after being parked is the real suggestion.

 

[2flyfishin]

Today coming back from SoCal going through Baker. The 4runner said it was 111, the world's biggest thermometer said it was 113, and a.c. fan was set one notch above low and I was quite comfortable. For the ones who are having trouble cooling your runner down, I think you need to have your ac's serviced.