Is your LS/LT aircon rubbish?

Mullett · 16-02-2009, 08:51 AM

Has anyone found that the aircon in their LT is pretty weak? Mine's totally blown away by the camry/corolla/hilux etc that i drive for work...I'm wondering if it's short on gas or something, or if this is normal...it works well enough, but it's trying it's heart out to keep up.

-RM.

Loris · 16-02-2009, 09:39 AM

mine takes a while to get up and going, but it does the job.. ive definitely seen better aircons on different cars though

Fredo · 16-02-2009, 10:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mullett

Has anyone found that the aircon in their LT is pretty weak? Mine's totally blown away by the camry/corolla/hilux etc that i drive for work...I'm wondering if it's short on gas or something, or if this is normal...it works well enough, but it's trying it's heart out to keep up.

-RM.

No issues with mine so far Mullett.
Its an '05 LS that I bought just at the start of summer and I'm in Brisbane - no probs to date.
Fredo

_2:

BrisVegas · 16-02-2009, 01:55 PM

mine's fine. Dec 06 Zetec manual. I live in Ipswich, which is hotter than the face of the sun, but rarely need to run it on more than 2-3 fan setting. I run it on recirc most of the time though as i can't stand sucking fumes.

Velociraptor82 · 16-02-2009, 01:58 PM

a/c in mine is pretty pathetic... you need to aim it right into your face or you'd think its not turned on. lol

does anyone know ways of improving it???

Randy_G · 16-02-2009, 02:07 PM

Mine works great. I have noticed that the fan moves more air when in recirculation mode, and that it cools down a bit quicker. I also use the global down feature for the windows when walking to my car.

BlackLS · 16-02-2009, 03:33 PM

The best for cooling is putting it on recirc, and move the blend door to half face half feet. Fan setting 3 or 4.

I've found the aircon just ok. I guess the target market area wouldn't dream of having 40+ degree heat.

Also keep in mind there is a RPM and a throttle position shutoff with the aircon. If you keep flooring it the aircon will be off for a lot of the time.

Stugots · 16-02-2009, 04:00 PM

Just Got back From QLD after having a corolla for the weekend. The air con in that thing seems to be more effective than the Focus but the Ford one is still ok. I find it chills the feet better than the upper sections.

The heater in the Focus on the other hand is a beauty.

The Toyota Corolla is a gutless, ugly, disgusting car. Only thing it has going for it is cabin storage space. Didn't even have steering wheel mounted audio controls.

Turbodiesel · 16-02-2009, 05:54 PM

I've been cool in the recent 40+ degree heat without any issues on fan speed 2. I usually switch between recirc and outside so I get some fresh air in.

Mr Hardware · 16-02-2009, 06:07 PM

Quote:

Mine's totally blown away by the camry/corolla/hilux

You'll never beat toyota aircon. Best in the industry, full stop.

819_FLY · 16-02-2009, 11:09 PM

Yeah as mentioned above, big error people do is have recirculate turned off and have it purely on the face. Your feet are were you draw most of the heat from so have it split between feet and face and you will cool down alot quicker, also have recirculate on. People also have a tendency to crank the fan up to high, although you think it will cool the car down quicker you are cooling the car down at the same rate as that on 1 or 2, just the wind chill factor is making you think it is working better, good tip with a hot cabin, get in start the car up, get the aircon on and drop your windows for a minute or two whilst driving, this will help circulate the hot air out of the cabin and let the chilled air take place aswell as give you freedom from the hot stuffy air that builds up when your car is off and locked up in the sun.

Living in North Queensland and working in hot workshop everyday I have come to understand aircon a bit better and utilise it when I can, however I don't sleep in it, because I always end up with a cold....

Mullett · 16-02-2009, 11:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlackLS

The best for cooling is putting it on recirc, and move the blend door to half face half feet. Fan setting 3 or 4.

I've found the aircon just ok. I guess the target market area wouldn't dream of having 40+ degree heat.

Also keep in mind there is a RPM and a throttle position shutoff with the aircon. If you keep flooring it the aircon will be off for a lot of the time.

Really? Mine's GUTLESS with the AC on at full throttle, there's a noticeable jump when you press the A/C button while you're on WOT.

Recirc is the best, but i don't like leaving it on too long, because you're basically pulling the oxygen out of the car, with 4 people in there it's surprising how quickly the 02 level can drop, it can lead to blackouts, poor concentration etc (crap you learn when you do a lot of long-distance driving :P) The worst by far is people who drive at night with the heater cranked up on recirc...heater should NEVER be on recirc, it already causes a lot of accidents in long-distance driving...anyways, I'm ranting!

And agreed, toyota AC is by far the best.

-RM.

~Spyne~ · 17-02-2009, 06:17 PM

the cool down time of the a/c in my focus is really good (coming from a vr commo previously)
the only quibble i have is that the centre vents cant be directed horizontally enough to actually hit me in the centre of the face or chest...kind of just gets the left side of my body

mudwaa · 17-02-2009, 08:01 PM

Seems to work ok but nothing compared to a Pulsar SSS i had where i had to keep taking my hand of the wheel to avoid frostbite.

fairmont1998 · 18-02-2009, 12:01 PM

Cools very well, but the fan noise is biblical.
The XR4 is much quieter.

melbzetec · 18-02-2009, 12:08 PM

My aircon (LR) just kept giving up the ghost on those 40+ degree days we had in Melbourne. Would go for a while , then start pumping hot air.

I thought it needed re-gassing, but it would work fine next morning.

I know NOW to have it on recirculation!

Do you think it has a problem? Or just expecting it to do to much?

Tj-zetec · 18-02-2009, 12:50 PM

I had similar weather up here the same week you did steve and mine was struggling a bit. Once it cooled down it was ok, but with 45DEG blasting in the windows it didn't put up much of a fight. But it remains constant so you could have a problem steve. I barely ever use air-con, i prefer fresh air blasting in. Unless its stupidly hot of course.

And I ALWAYS put the a/c on recirc to begin with, and when it gets too cold i'll open it up to fresh air.

BlackLS · 18-02-2009, 01:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mullett

Really? Mine's GUTLESS with the AC on at full throttle, there's a noticeable jump when you press the A/C button while you're on WOT.

Try mimiking a kickdown on the throttle as if you have an auto. I think its noticeable in first gear stop/start traffic, or revving freely in neutral.

Fast Eddie · 18-02-2009, 01:28 PM

I too was in Sthn.N.S.W. and Melbourne in the aforementioned weather. No real issues at all with my air-con in my LR although normally on interstate drives I only have the fan on 1 but did turn it on 2 the further south I drove. It's actually never been re-gassed or "serviced'. I'm a believer in Window Tint as I've had it on all of my previous rides.

Steve, considering the extreme temperature I think everyone's might have been struggling. Off Topic, all the Motel's I stayed in, most of their a/c was either pathetic or really pathetic. Has your Focus' a/c ever been tested??

melbzetec · 18-02-2009, 02:41 PM

Quote:

Has your Focus' a/c ever been tested??

No it hasn't Eddie.

My problem is I reckon if you ask someone to test the aircon, they'll always tell you it needs something done!!!!!

Cynical bastard aren't I?

BlackLS · 29-04-2009, 02:00 PM

I just got my car back from Ford, a aircon pipe coming from the compressor had split. New pipe, regas and $350 later and aircon is working again.

I think the pipe splitting may have to do with the breaking a pipe bracket after running over a steel "hat" that they place at T intersections.