2010 4.6 -- can we make the AC colder?

[MarsellusWallace]

Hi all, with these 100 degree days in CA I'm finding the AC to be just not cool enough. I tried giving my Genesis a dose of R-134A from a can but it didn't need very much. Any tricks to make it colder?

 

[Mark_888]

Like many older German cars, many people in hot climates complain about the Genesis AC (at least for the 2009-2014 first generation Genesis).

Make sure to replace the cabin air filter at least once per year. It is located in the glove box. Don't use a fancy filter, just a plain paper one is best for maximum air flow (either the OEM filter or at an auto parts store). There are YouTube videos and other threads on this forum that explain how to replace it, but can be a little tricky (hint: when removing tabs inside the glove box to lower it, keep the door closed as much as possible with just enough room for your hands to get inside).

Having a good ceramic tint job also helps, but probably not cost effective on a 2010 model with limited life remaining. But make sure to use a windshield sun reflector when car is parked outside.

 

[PMCErnie]

Hi all, with these 100 degree days in CA I'm finding the AC to be just not cool enough. I tried giving my Genesis a dose of R-134A from a can but it didn't need very much. Any tricks to make it colder?

Don't be cheap. Get your AC checked by your dealer, or a good AC specialist. Seals dry out; gas leaks. Systems need maintenance and repairs.

Also, it's never too late for a proper tint job if you are planning to keep the car.

 

[beachbaker]

We were recently in Las Vegas and noticed when the temperature was 112 degrees the ac seemed to not perform well. We discovered by setting the auto button to the left of the ac button there was noticeably better cooling. Also, when we got back I changed the cabin filter and the volume of air was better as well. The cabin filter is easy to change just check out the help videos available. Curt

 

[Audio]

Don't be cheap. Get your AC checked by your dealer, or a good AC specialist. Seals dry out; gas leaks. Systems need maintenance and repairs.

Also, it's never too late for a proper tint job if you are planning to keep the car.

As another Gen1 owner, I'll say right now, he probably doesn't have an issue that he's "being cheap" on. The AC in these cars is honestly just weak. The 1999 Honda with 156k miles on it that I'm driving has stronger, colder ac. I've seen multiple people on here complain about the same thing. The AC in these cars flat out sucks.

 

[Legacy]

Maybe a trip to the A/C magician is in order for the OP, to check and assess the system properly. My 2010 is as black as a car can be, and the Summer Heat and Sweatfest is back in the Carolinas. My windows have a 35% tint, except for the windshield. Even though it's 93F outside, with a dewpoint of 71F, my Genesis stays comfortably cool, almost cold, according to my wife. I don't have a proper thermometer to check vent temps, but the air is definitely cold. It only seems to warm up a little if I'm stuck in traffic, on hot pavement, surrounded by other cars, and no air moving across the radiator/condenser. Even then, it's hardly noticeable. Visited Phoenix last year and, on a 113F day, the car was as cool as normal. And this is a black car! Maybe my car is the exception to the rule, but at 77,500 miles, I've never had a problem. I did notice a difference in the cooling after I had the windows tinted, however.

I have a 2014 F150 SuperCrew, bright white, and it doesn't cool as well as the Genesis. Granted, the truck's interior volume is much greater than the Genesis, and it takes a while to cool down that large a room. Go over to one of the Ford truck forums and listen to the A/C complaints about these trucks. If I'm traveling and the forecast is for hot, humid weather, the Genesis gets the call. A competent A/C mechanic will be able to diagnose a potential problem, but I have no complaints with my Genesis

 

[Future Owner]

My 2009 Genesis has excellent AC; just set it on Auto, and forget it.

(As a general rule, though, these modern cars have inferior AC to 70s model American cars that used real Freon, instead of the environmentally-correct crap. Specifically, the idle performance is not as good.)

 

[PMCErnie]

As another Gen1 owner, I'll say right now, he probably doesn't have an issue that he's "being cheap" on. The AC in these cars is honestly just weak. The 1999 Honda with 156k miles on it that I'm driving has stronger, colder ac. I've seen multiple people on here complain about the same thing. The AC in these cars flat out sucks.

The Genesis AC is not its best feature, but a proper ceramic tint job makes it a whole lot better. Same thing with proper servicing. Sounds like you never tried either fix. Sorry for your situation.

- - - Updated - - -

We were recently in Las Vegas and noticed when the temperature was 112 degrees the ac seemed to not perform well. We discovered by setting the auto button to the left of the ac button there was noticeably better cooling. Also, when we got back I changed the cabin filter and the volume of air was better as well. The cabin filter is easy to change just check out the help videos available. Curt

Huh?! The AUTO button probably turned on the Recirculating Air feature. You know about that, right?

 

[Audio]

You're right, captain cocky responses. I didn't think to "properly service" a non-leaking, fully charged AC system with no defects. Nor did I think "Man, i really should remove the perfectly good tint for a newer technology to overcome the fact that the AC system performs poorer than an 18 year old non-tinted mini van". You got me there, smart guy, you sure got me there. Stroke that ego.

 

[PMCErnie]

You're right, captain cocky responses. I didn't think to "properly service" a non-leaking, fully charged AC system with no defects. Nor did I think "Man, i really should remove the perfectly good tint for a newer technology to overcome the fact that the AC system performs poorer than an 18 year old non-tinted mini van". You got me there, smart guy, you sure got me there. Stroke that ego.

I think the heat may have gotten to you. Time to consider a car with better AC. By the way, ceramic tint was available when your 4.6 was new.

Those folks who want to investigate and improve their AC performance are the audience that my comments were intended for.

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[kn5owa]

Hi all, with these 100 degree days in CA I'm finding the AC to be just not cool enough. I tried giving my Genesis a dose of R-134A from a can but it didn't need very much. Any tricks to make it colder?

On older GM cars, when you turned the A/C to Max setting - the system went to recirculate mode automatically.

So do that manually - if you can.

As, I write this - it is 97 deg outside - and recirculate makes a big diff.

And, I never, ever use the AUTO function on either of my Hyundais

 

[landtuna]

Hi all, with these 100 degree days in CA I'm finding the AC to be just not cool enough. I tried giving my Genesis a dose of R-134A from a can but it didn't need very much. Any tricks to make it colder?

I've owned my Gennie in Phoenix since new and never had a cooling issue even with outside temps approaching 120F. Window tinting does help but also remember to give the AC time to cool the inside after sitting in the sun. Inside temp may be in excess of 140F and it will take 5-10 minutes for the AC to cool the inside air. The best approach is to crack your drivers window an inch or two and leave the A/C in "outside air" mode until the air blows cold then hit the "recirc air" button and close the window. If you drive it immediately in stop and go traffic it will not cool very quickly as it needs air flow through the condenser to work.

 

[Roc 5.0]

I don't know too much but have 5 vehicles and the Gens a/c is as good as any. You must use the recir feature to insure fullest degree of A/C. My thermo temp gauge reads 36 degrees at vents in DC 95 degree weather this week.. Can't get too much cooler or coil will freeze up. You will find that after original cool down use lowest setting of fan that feels comfortable. Coolest that way. Not as great as 90's big Fords but better than all my friend BMWs and Mercs. Yes, tint and back shade help when you have a black car. Anyone with a black car, regardless of make, park in shade if possible. Will cool down 50% faster. Can do the thermo on hood to see difference or even a white car. Black absorbs like crazy!!

 

[kn5owa]

You must use the recir feature to insure fullest degree of A/C., park in shade if possible. Will cool down 50% faster.!

Amen: park in shade, use recirc. mode

If still not cool enough - then a service check is called for

Amazon sells an I.R. temp checker for about $15 that is quite useful for checking the register (vent) temps also -- Made by Etekcity

 

[Legacy]

My curiosity got the best of me, so I bought an IR thermometer. It's not expensive (Harbor Freight) and not the last word in absolute accuracy, but my Genesis vent temps get as low as 37F. The temp setting was at the lowest number, on a 95F day, moving and in the sun. That's not bad for R-134, damn shame it doesn't work as well as R-12 used to perform, but still okay for a black car.

For comparison, i did the same test with my white F150. The best I could get the vent temp to was 41F, still not too shabby. And once the "big box" cools down, it's comfortable. I wouldn't want to get either vehicle so cold at the vents as to freeze over the system, like I did years ago with an Oldsmobile. Yeah, I miss R-12 and love my "cooled" seats.

 

[Sluh]

I owned two 2012 4.6s first one got totaled from being rear ended, I bought the same year/trim with lower miles adding few thousands to insurance money.
I'm an engineer by education, mechanic by soul and self taught AC technician as well with all the proper gear in my garage. Living in Atlanta I confirm, that 1st gen AC is plain weak. Weakest of all cars we ever had. On first genesis I went evacuating and recharging, changing TXV, thinking something is wrong. Did not improve a thing. Second genny is the same weak and nothing can be done. Just suck it up. This time I went with platinum exterior color instead of black and it helped a bit. I don't like tint and would better change the model/make next time. I assume AC is underpowered in order to squeeze few more tenth of mpg for EPA test.
Genesis uses electronically controlled displacement compressor, the only theoretical fix would be a software hack to change the logic, but that's too much hassle to crack.

 

[PMCErnie]

Sluh, your comfort would definitely improve with ceramic tint. My tint is not dark, but a very light and clear blue (see below). At least go to a tint shop and get an estimate. You have no idea what you are missing.

 

[Gunkk]

Ernie, how's the blue w/ polarized sunglasses ... annoying or ???

 

[PMCErnie]

Ernie, how's the blue w/ polarized sunglasses ... annoying or ???

I ALWAYS wear polarized sunglasses. My Llumar clear Air Blue 80 tint would only be a problem if the windshield was tinted. Mine is not. It's not a problem in the other windows. Just get a sample of it at a tint shop and test it for yourself. Hang it on your side window and look out.

 

[Rey]

All AC systems in modern cars have two modes: recirculating and fresh air. If it is really hot, just set the AC to recirculating. Generally, if the system is in the so-called "auto" mode it will startup on a hot day with recirculating. That cools the car done much faster. When the system reaches desired interior temp it switches to fresh air.
Years ago ACs were typically "add-on" units (1964-66 Ford Mustangs) that hung below the dash. Most of these units had no provisions for fresh outside air. They were all recirculating. It worked pretty well. Had a BMW with this system in the 70s and never felt the air to be "stale" even on long road trips - and I was a heavy smoker then.