Interesting Item about the Equus AC...

[thefoodieguy]

Good Evening Everyone,

I have been considering putting my Acura RL out to pasture. Although she is nearly ten years old, she drives well and has never given me any major issues. I was considering the GS 350, the Infinity Q70, and the Equus. Ahh the Equus . Honestly, the minute I sat in into her soft vented front seats, I was in heaven . I love every aspect of this car except for one item…the air conditioning .

The first time I went on a test drive, I thought to myself, this does not seem to be as cold as my nearly ten year old RL. Then I bought a thermometer and tested it on my next visit. When the Equus first turns on (and while it is NOT in motion), the air blows just at 60 degrees. When you are moving and the full engine is engaged, it blows at nearly 40 degrees…and there lays my frustration.

I live in Texas and when 60 degree air conditioning in a 120 degree car (that’s been in the summer sun), really does not cut it. Mind you, once we are on the highway and moving, it’s cold (just shy of 40 degrees). However, at the onset of a drive, it’s a disappointment. Although I had planned to always start the car ten minutes before leaving to an appointment (via BlueLink), I am still saddened by the notion that the air will still not really be cold until I start moving at higher speeds or on the highway. With 429 Horsepower, I think that Hyundai could have allotted more power to run the air compressor from the start up. My RL is blowing 39 degree air within 15 seconds of ignition while in park or stopped.

Conclusion – I love the car more than the Lexus and Infinity; however, the air conditioning issue is of serious concern…time it takes for the car to blow cold air and have cold vented seats. I wonder if the 2015’s may have a that fixed. Until then, I will postpone my purchase and hope that there is a fix.

Be Well...

 

[Mark_888]

Both the Genesis and Equus have had complaints about the AC similar to yours. For many years, German cars suffered the same symptoms. The fact is that in Korea (and Germany) it doesn't all that hot in the summer.

A high quality tint job will go a long way to solving the problem. High quality means using a tint films like Formula One Pinnacle (a nano-ceramic tint film). There are other brands that also make nano-ceramic films as well. Do not install a smoked or charcoal tint film, unless you are a pimp, or live in the northern states or Canada.

 

[PMCErnie]

I wouldn't be surprised if the Lexus and Infiniti have the same kind quirks as the Eqqus. I am guessing that it is mpg savings-related.

 

[Mark_888]

I wouldn't be surprised if the Lexus and Infiniti have the same kind quirks as the Eqqus. I am guessing that it is mpg savings-related.

I believe that Toyota/Lexus (and probably Nissan/Infiniti) long ago adapted to USA weather and sunshine conditions. Not sure what the root cause is, but I just assumed it had something to do with proper insulation of the cooling ducts away from a steaming hot dashboard that has been sitting in the sun. But I am not sure about that.

 

[thefoodieguy]

Hey Mark 888, sincerely appreciate the auto tint recommendation. That will be installed on my next car purchase.

 

[thefoodieguy]

I am going to take another test drive in the Infinity and Lexus with my trusty thermometer. I will let you all know! I would think that auto makers should realize that spending $65k+ for a car means more about the comfort and luxury, as opposed to an extra 1 mpg.

 

[Mark_888]

I am going to take another test drive in the Infinity and Lexus with my trusty thermometer. I will let you all know! I would think that auto makers should realize that spending $65k+ for a car means more about the comfort and luxury, as opposed to an extra 1 mpg.

I don't know about Lexus, but I once owned a Toyota Camry for 11 years that had cold A/C right after start up. I never once had the A/C serviced or Freon added. The car had 88K miles when I got rid of it.

 

[YEH]

It can get quite hot and humid in SKorea (not a good combo), but Koreans, like many persons from overseas (like the foreign players on the Spurs when the AC went out during the NBA Championships) are probably used to more moderate use of AC.

Also, the Equus wasn't developed for overseas markets; it would be interesting to see if the 2G Genesis has a more substantial AC unit.

If Hyundai hasn't made the upgrade, they should (and for the next Equus) as the American SW will only continue to get warmer and as Hyundai will be selling the Genesis in Australia.

Also, the Middle East is a big market for the Genesis and Equus (aka Centennial).

 

[Mark_888]

It can get quite hot and humid in SKorea.

Seoul, South Korea is about the same latitude as San Francisco. The Seoul metropolitan area has over 25.6 million and is home to over half the South Korean population. Much of Korea is humid, but that just blocks the sun's rays and prevents the car dash from getting blistering hot, one of the main reasons why A/C units perform poorly. Another thing that keeps the sun off their cars, is that much of the population lives in highly urbanized area, with tall buildings, and sun doesn't have as big an effect on parked cars in that kind of setting. Yes, I have been to Seoul several times.

 

[YEH]

Seoul doesn't have the same climate as SF - warmer (as is the bay area once you start getting away from the ocean) and much more humid.

Seoul is going thru a heatwave (miserable w/ the humidity) w/ parts of SKorea hitting the 100 degrees mark.

And tall buildings or not, they don't always block the sun rays (as if people living in Seoul don't drive elsewhere or that Seoul only has tall buildings) and cities are actually heat traps.

Also, it's not like humidity cuts down on the need for A/C (arguably need it more) and humid air makes A/Cs work harder.

______________________________

Help support this site so it can continue supporting you!