Underwhelming A/C

[1BadRS]

Yesterday was really the first time I needed to use the A/C and wow, it was super disappointing. The feeling was like when people that turn on the vented seats, thinking they are air conditioned seats. Something has to be wrong, but it would be nice to hear some feedback, as I'd like to know if others feel the A/C is similar to other cars. Our 2023 Nissan Titan has no problems making it cold enough you want to turn it down or shut a vent. Completely opposite experience with this Cadillac. So much so, I wouldn't even want my wife in the car with me, or it would be a complaining session the whole way!

 

[conipc]

My 5BW will freeze you out it you let it. 4BW did the same. In Texas, so it's not an easy job....time for your a/c check

 

[jbawden]

Was the car in the hot sun all day? When everything is preheated deep into the dash, it can take a spell to cool all that mass down. If it was in a garage and still not cool, then you might have an issue. I think a few have reported issues in the past, but I recall it was 5's that had the issue.

 

[Finally-a-V]

My 5 does a very good job here in AZ. Now, if it sits in the sun, say while shopping, it does take a bit to really cool off, but no complaints. My Yukon is insane with the cold air. 112 yesterday and I had to turn it up to 75. Cools super quick even sitting in the sun.

Don't let the dealer push you off. Keep annoying them. My Expedition NEVER had decent AC. It was checked multiple times and everything was "normal". I'd have it down to 66 or 68 and it would barely keep up. It sucked.

Yes, all three are/were tinted with sunroofs.

 

[RDATLTE]

Was "auto" engaged?

 

[Brezy12]

I was just thinking about this yesterday in the Vegas heat the AC is def underwhelming and i have 5% ceramic heat rejection on the sides and 50% on the front windshield.

 

[ukcats12]

Never had an issue with the AC. And the ventilated seats are just that, ventilated, not cooled. I’ve never sat in a ventilated seats that really felt like much. That said, they do a fine job at keeping my back from sweating in the summer.

 

[1BadRS]

Thanks for all the responses!

Yes, the car was outside and I would expect it to take a little bit to stabilize the temperature, but it didn't get any better my whole 25 minute drive home. I've also got no sunroof and tinted windows, except for the windshield.

I think initially "auto" was engaged, but I changed everything I could to get it to actually cool the car down.

I wasn't complaining about the vented seats, I know they are just that vented, not air conditioned. When I first start up the car in the garage the vented seats work/feel nice. I was using that as an example that you would never mistake vented for air conditioned and that is what my car feels like coming out of the HVAC system.

I've got to schedule my complimentary oil change, so I will mention this when I bring it in. I've also got a really annoying pulsating brake pedal when you are just normally using the brakes. Overall I love the car, just need a few of these quirks addressed.

 

[CBH]

It should definitely have you cool in 25 minutes. Hope they can track it down and fix it.

 

[668LT4]

I do suspect there is an issue. If there is one thing I would rave about in all my GM vehicles, cars and trucks, it is the A/C. Seat coolers, meh, not as good, but the A/C has always been great.

 

[Dougyfd]

Put a digital thermometer in the vents and observe temp. Should be between 40 and 45 degrees.

 

[DonD]

No complaints at all over the AC in my 4BW. Don

 

[FLYARMY]

I was also wondering if my "ventilated driver seat" even works. I can hardly feel anything. Now, my Kia Telluride will freeze your nut sack !

 

[rubberduck]

109F in Arizona over the weekend and AC in the 5BW works great. Ventilated seats also work well enough. The key is setting the AC to split between floor and dash vents. The seats suck air from underneath.

For those that live in a cooler climate, should really be running the AC on a regular basis. The seals in the compressor will fail prematurely without operation.

 

[G.Newt]

When you say tinted windows, are they ceramic? And what level of heat rejection? I always get the highest heat rejection offered. Also have a windshield sunshade and the top 1/3 of my windshield is also tinted. Here in Texas, my 4BW will cool the cabin down pretty nicely.

Try this:

• When first getting in, roll the windows down and do NOT turn on the circulation when cutting the AC on.
• After the hot cabin air has escaped, close the windows and turn on circulation.
• Adjust temp to the 60's but not "LO".

 

[BKC1]

What engine RPM do you drive at? If you're lugging the engine around, the A/C compressor won't have the RPM needed to work efficiently.

On the LF4, you should be cruising at 1800-2500 RPM. It really, really likes 2100-2300 at light to medium load.

My ATS-V cools off in less than 2 minutes.

 

[Melon]

When you say tinted windows, are they ceramic? And what level of heat rejection? I always get the highest heat rejection offered. Also have a windshield sunshade and the top 1/3 of my windshield is also tinted. Here in Texas, my 4BW will cool the cabin down pretty nicely.

Try this:

• When first getting in, roll the windows down and do NOT turn on the circulation when cutting the AC on.
• After the hot cabin air has escaped, close the windows and turn on circulation.
• Adjust temp to the 60's but not "LO".

I usually open the sunroof a bit, and yeah, putting it on LO just turns the fans on super high. Give the system a min to cool the evap core and air ducts behind the dash.

Tint helps a ton.

 

[jakespeed]

there's a solar sensor on top of dash between defrost grilles
if it's covered, hvac may not function correctly

 

[1BadRS]

Thanks for all the feedback and suggestions! I do think the A/C has a real issue and it isn't user error. Too bad, as I would have loved it to have been something stupid I was doing.

I have no clue about the tinting, just that it has it and it was installed by the dealer. The rear seat windows and back window are the same shade and pretty dark. My front windows have a lighter tint on them and I see nothing on the windshield. I will invest in a sun shade for the windshield as that worked very nice on the Corvette I had.

A/C problems or not, I'll also try driving at a little higher RPM, as I have tended to keep it under 2K while cruising around town. I usually shift between 3K-4K, but once I am at speed, I try to keep it as low as possible. I'm usually in 6th before I hit 60 and find the highway cruising RPM's higher than my liking and would really love that 7th gear that my Corvette had. However, I read in another thread where a 5BW guy never wants to use his 6th gear and his MPG's don't seem to be that impacted by the higher RPMs. Sorry for going off on a tangent in my own thread!

 

[BimmerFan]

I live near the OP and my black/black car sits outside when I'm working, and yes, it takes quite a while for it to cool down. Usually about a minute or two before I get home (40 minute commute) I'm starting to get comfortable. But mostly it's just the heat continuing to radiate off of the interior bits, all of which are black. If I can park in the shade, it's really not an issue.

I could park under a tree at work, but then I'll get sap and bird poo all over it, so like everything else, it's a trade-off.