- #39 of 62
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Re: A/C Problems? [tdkeator]
by tidester HOST
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Jun 26, 2009 (10:15 pm)
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Replying to: tdkeator (Jun 26, 2009 8:59 pm)
In addition to the temperature of the air conditioner's output, the other factor that matters is the flow rate (volume) of the output. For example, if your QX56 is putting out twice the volume at 60° as your XC90 puts out at 40° you may be just as comfortable in your QX56.
tidester, host
SUVs and Smart Shopper
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- #40 of 62
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Re: A/C Problems? [tdkeator]
by zone4
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Jun 27, 2009 (3:05 am)
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Replying to: tdkeator (Jun 26, 2009 8:59 pm)
Since your QX56 is larger it may not cool the cabin to 40 degrees because the cool air has a larger area to cool. And since your SUV is larger it also produces more heat (when driving) which in turn will cause it not to cool up as fast. Then again maybe the vehicle was built to cool only to only 60 degrees. While test driving two other new vehicles I noticed they only cooled to 60 degrees also. Cooling the vehicle to 45 degrees will probably affect the MPG (which is already bad) which is why it stops at 60. I hope this helps. 
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- #41 of 62
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Re: A/C Problems? [zone4]
by tdkeator
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Jun 27, 2009 (5:06 am)
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Replying to: zone4 (Jun 27, 2009 3:05 am)
Thanks. So are you and Tidestar opining that perhaps 60 degrees is correct? The ambient temperature is comfortable in the cabin when outdoor temps are below 95. But above that, it is stuffy. I realize it is hot and A/Cs struggle to keep up, but even at 105 degrees, my Yukon and Volvo get the cabin cold. I think a $60,000 QX56 should be able to do the same, and that this is a design flaw with QX56's. I found a similar line of complaints for the 2005 Nissan Armada. See Nissan Service Bulletin ITB05-041B on the Nissanhelp.com website. Thanks for your responses.
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- #42 of 62
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Re: A/C Problems? [tdkeator]
by tidester HOST
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Jun 27, 2009 (10:31 am)
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Replying to: tdkeator (Jun 27, 2009 5:06 am)
But above that, it is stuffy.
What I wrote was only a suggestion. The proof is in the comfort of the passengers and you're saying that the overall cooling is inadequate. I've never driven a QX56 so I will certainly defer to your hands on experience.
tidester, host
SUVs and Smart Shopper
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- #43 of 62
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Re: A/C Problems? [tdkeator]
by zone4
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Jun 30, 2009 (6:18 pm)
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Replying to: tdkeator (Jun 27, 2009 5:06 am)
I think 60 degrees is correct. I saw a picture on the Mercedes-Benz website that an $87,000 Mercedes -Benz SUV only cools to 60 degrees. That's the lowest reading posted on the knob. Although some vehicles may cool to a lower temperature I think it depends on the vehicle itself as to how low it will cool. However, I agree with you in wishing that vehicles would cool below 60 degrees. I'm a heavy sweater and in Georgia the heat and humidity can become quite unpleasant during the summmer. 
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- #44 of 62
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Re: A/C Problems? [zone4]
by tdkeator
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Jun 30, 2009 (7:24 pm)
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Replying to: zone4 (Jun 30, 2009 6:18 pm)
Actually, 60 on the nob is supposed to indicate the internal cabin temperature, not the temperature of the air at the vent. The air coming out of the vents needs to be much colder than 60 degrees to blend with warmer cabin air to produce a temperature of 60 degrees in the cabin. Industry standard is 38-48 degrees at the vent. Unfortunately, on hot days, the QX56 is no where close.
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- #45 of 62
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Re: A/C Problems? [tdkeator]
by zone4
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Jul 03, 2009 (5:03 pm)
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Replying to: tdkeator (Jun 30, 2009 7:24 pm)
I already knew that 60 degrees on the knob represented the cabin temperature. However, I disagree with your statement that the air coming out of the vent needs to be much colder than 60 degrees to blend with the warm air. If the outside temperature is 20 below zero the temperature inside the cabin is not warm but cold. You can still turn the air conditioner on if you wanted too (even though that would not be a good idea) and it would not mix with warm air to produce a temperature of 60, 70, etc. degrees because the outside temperature is too cold. It has nothing to do with the air temperature inside the vehicle. The air conditioner will put out enough cold air to make the cabin the temperature you chose assuming the outside temperature is not too extreme.
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- #46 of 62
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Re: A/C Problems? [zone4]
by tdkeator
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Jul 03, 2009 (7:40 pm)
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Replying to: zone4 (Jul 03, 2009 5:03 pm)
The point is that the industry standard vent temperature, using a thermometer, is 38-48 degrees using recirc mode after 10-12 minutes. The nob temperature is irrelevant. The QX56, at a whopping 60 degrees, fails miserably. I took mine back and got a Yukon that blows 42 degrees while it is 100 degrees outdoors. I really wish I didn't have to make this choice. It is ridiculous to have to take back a $61,000 luxury vehicle because the A/C is insufficient. This is one of the dumbest flaws I've ever encountered. Its like building a beautiful new 50-story skyscraper but forgetting to install elevators. And I don't think it was just a problem with my vehicle - I test drove another brand new 2010 and it gave the exact same readings at the vent using my thermometer. Unfortunately with a wife and little kids I can't sacrifice A/C for the other bells and whistles the QX has to offer. If Infiniti fixes this flaw, I'll trade in the Yukon for the Infiniti in a heart beat.
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- #47 of 62
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Re: A/C Problems? [tdkeator]
by zone4
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Jul 04, 2009 (12:39 am)
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Replying to: tdkeator (Jul 03, 2009 7:40 pm)
I disagree with you again. If the knob temperature was irrelevant then there would be no need for automatic climate control where each passenger can set "their" air conditioner to their desired temperature. Although I still can't see why people choose this because if one passenger set their temperature at 60 degrees and another sets theirs at 75 degrees the air would still mix in the cabin and not give them their desired temperature. I know for a fact my vehicle's vents cannot cool to 38-48 degrees especially when it's hot outside. In fact when it's really hot I wonder if it's cooling at all(Yes, it has freon). Kudos for you for taking your QX56 back. I was thinking about purchasing one but now maybe I won't.
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- #48 of 62
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Re: A/C Problems? [zone4]
by tdkeator
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Jul 04, 2009 (5:47 am)
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Replying to: zone4 (Jul 04, 2009 12:39 am)
I meant that the lowest nob temperature isn't necessarily the lowest air temperature at the vent. There's a distinction. My 2003 Yukon, 2009 Yukon, and former Volvo XC90 all said the lowest they would go is 60 on the nob (or LCD). Yet, they all cooled air to 40-45 at the vent.
I would say buy a $5 A/C thermometer at Autozone and take it on all of your test drives. Drive a QX56 on a day above 90 and see if it cools the cabin air, but more importantly see how you feel inside. To me, it felt hot even after 20 minutes, and the thermometer (60) backed me up. The rear air (after traveling about 4 feet through the roof of the vehicle) actually came out hot - 71 degrees.
FYI - I drove a Sequoia as well and it didn't cool below 55, which was OK but not ideal. I don't know what kind of A/C equipment GMC uses, but as I've said again and again, my new Yukon will get down to about 42 after 5 minutes on the hottest Texas days. I will never overlook the A/C again when buying a new vehicle. Luckily I bought the QX56 in June when I could catch the flaw quickly. Had I bought last winter or spring, I would be sweating like a pig while cruising in syle.
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