Air conditioning - Is it powerful enough?

[BigBob]

Now it has finally warmed up in the UK (about 25c today), Ive noticed the car has really struggled to cool the interior. Aircon definitely isn't in eco mode. Grey car, black seats, tinted windows, pan roof.

I'm sure most of the Texan's and Californians on here would view these temperatures as quite cool, so I can only imagine they would be really yelling if the aircon is coping like mine is.

One thing I did notice is the air temperature gauge in the car is about inline with what weather apps are calling the temperature. However, we all know cars that have been sitting in the sun get quite a bit hotter than that and my other car, parked next to it, has the temperature about 10c higher.

So, would it make sense that the aircon isn't working very hard as the car thinks it's cooler than it actually is - i've no idea if the aircon would be using the same temperature sensor? Or perhaps the aircon is just crap, or maybe it needs some maintenance?

Short version:
Everyone happy with power of their aircon?

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[Scandinavian]

Now it has finally warmed up in the UK (about 25c today), Ive noticed the car has really struggled to cool the interior. Aircon definitely isn't in eco mode. Grey car, black seats, tinted windows, pan roof.

I'm sure most of the Texan's and Californians on here would view these temperatures as quite cool, so I can only imagine they would be really yelling if the aircon is coping like mine is.

One thing I did notice is the air temperature gauge in the car is about inline with what weather apps are calling the temperature. However, we all know cars that have been sitting in the sun get quite a bit hotter than that and my other car, parked next to it, has the temperature about 10c higher.

So, would it make sense that the aircon isn't working very hard as the car thinks it's cooler than it actually is - i've no idea if the aircon would be using the same temperature sensor? Or perhaps the aircon is just crap, or maybe it needs some maintenance?

Short version:
Everyone happy with power of their aircon?

I have not had any problems at all with my aircon here in south of France. And we have had days with more than 35 degrees for week or so. Precooling helps and if I don’t I need to have the aircon in normal mode and switch to ECO once cooled down.
I would think you need some maintenance checks or your system

 

[ciaranob]

Yep sounds odd as even here in 'stupid' hot and humid TX my aircon has coped well even in our August heat!

Curious if you have the thermal insulating glass option? Not saying thats the issue at all but I was somewhat surprised last summer in Houston in a Macan loaner when Taycan in for service that clearly did not have this glass and the heat effect was very immediately apparent after arriving same day in same heat in my Taycan. BUT of course def an extreme example and poss. the differences not so much in less hot climates.

 

[BigBob]

Yep sounds odd as even here in 'stupid' hot and humid TX my aircon has coped well even in our August heat!

Curious if you have the thermal insulating glass option? Not saying thats the issue at all but I was somewhat surprised last summer in Houston in a Macan loaner when Taycan in for service that clearly did not have this glass and the heat effect was very immediately apparent after arriving same day in same heat in my Taycan. BUT of course def an extreme example and poss. the differences not so much in less hot climates.

Just regular glass.

 

[ciaranob]

Just regular glass.

In your hottest/hotter days there will be a small hit nothing this option re cooling the car down but I think you are referring AC performance after driving some distance and where the cabin should be properly cooled and stable (correct?) - if not the case , I'd agree with Peter in that it may need looking into. Did you by chance also have the defective Heater issue i.e. is this possibly linked?

 

[BigBob]

In your hottest/hotter days there will be a small hit nothing this option re cooling the car down but I think you are referring AC performance after driving some distance and where the cabin should be properly cooled and stable (correct?) - if not the case , I'd agree with Peter in that it may need looking into. Did you by chance also have the defective Heater issue i.e. is this possibly linked?

Yes, basically taking 20 minutes or so of driving time with the aircon on maximum before the cabin is cool enough to consider turning the AC down a bit. I did find that changing the vents from 'diffused' to 'focused' did help a bit as more air coming out of the central vents.

 

[f1eng]

Mine is fine in this weather. Green car, purple interior, ally roof.

I am sure the A/C system does not use the external sensor control the inside temperature.
The reading on a stationary car standing in the sun will depend where the sensor is fitted to the outside of the car and whether it is on the shady side or not. No idea where it is on the Porsche on most cars I have had it is behind the front number plate.

 

[Hirschaj]

I'm sure most of the Texan's and Californians on here would view these temperatures as quite cool, so I can only imagine they would be really yelling if the aircon is coping like mine is.

I live in central TX. My AC is powerful and cools my car in a few minutes even on the hottest days. Seems like something is not right with yours.

 

[BigBob]

Thanks. It's due a service in 5000 miles, so i'll tag it on to that visit. My experience of getting AC fixed in most cars has generally been ' we put a probe in and its fine' when it isn't. I also expect when it goes in for a service, the weather will be really cold!

Thanks for the help all.

 

[Scandinavian]

Thanks. It's due a service in 5000 miles, so i'll tag it on to that visit. My experience of getting AC fixed in most cars has generally been ' we put a probe in and its fine' when it isn't. I also expect when it goes in for a service, the weather will be really cold!

Thanks for the help all.

Do you have a temperature probe? A digital steak thermometer or an accessory to a multimeter or an infrared thermometer?

In such case you could put it in front of the vent when the aircon is running. And we could do the same by setting the temperature to the minimum. That should tell directly

 

[BigBob]

Do you have a temperature probe? A digital steak thermometer or an accessory to a multimeter or an infrared thermometer?

In such case you could put it in front of the vent when the aircon is running. And we could do the same by setting the temperature to the minimum. That should tell directly

I'll give that a go and revert. The air coming out is certainly cooler, just doesn't seem to be enough of it/blowing hard enough (especially on diffuse).

Side question - with the AC set to 16c, Does that mean the air temperature being blown out should be 16c, or does it mean it will blow as cold as it can until the cabin temperature gets to 16c and then goes to 16c itself to maintain cabin temp?

 

[ciaranob]

Yikes - I know it's redundant but a temp of 60F (16C) would be winter cold in our Houston cars - my in-car AC right now set to ca 75F (90 exterior and soon to be topping 100F). Defogging of course a whole other issue.

 

[BigBob]

Yikes - I know it's redundant but a temp of 60F (16C) would be winter cold in our Houston cars - my in-car AC right now set to ca 75F (90 exterior and soon to be topping 100F). Defogging of course a whole other issue.

I agree, 19-20c is about right. However, having to set it to 16c for 20 minutes to get the car cool enough to then slowly raise the ac temperature to about 19~20 for the rest of the trip.

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