Air conditioning-how good is it?

[sgparnes]

Cooled seat

Does the seat use the interior air to cool the seat? I noticed when it was very hot the seats did not seem to cool until the vehicle temperature cooled down some. I don't know if the seats are hooked up directly to the AC vent system.

 

[jrmexplorer]

Does the seat use the interior air to cool the seat? I noticed when it was very hot the seats did not seem to cool until the vehicle temperature cooled down some. I don't know if the seats are hooked up directly to the AC vent system.

I was wondering that myself. I stuck my hand underneath the seat, and it feels like the seats are "ventilated" not "cooled" - i.e. they use the cabin air and not any active cooling. I could be wrong though.

 

[RandyH2]

Now that the heat wave is close to ending here in SE Michigan I would like to know how the A/C is/has been working for other folks.

My experience has been mixed. During a long highway drive in mid-day sun the system seems to work fine, though I wish the auto setting were a bit more active in directing air flow away from my hands and face to maintain temperature.

When it comes to quick cooling when I first get in the car, the system seems to be slow. Whatever the reason, and I know the cabin is a large space but I have a white exterior and tan interior, the system definitely doesn't cool off as quickly as I would like.

 

[Remeny]

Down here in Texas we've had some miserable heat for a few months now and my Explorer has done a fantastic job of cooling down quickly and keeping up with the heat on long trips. I park my X outside all day at my office (no shade) so when I get into it at the end of the day, I usually roll all my windows down for about 30 seconds to let the hot air out. This might help?

 

[dukky]

I'm in Tx as well, and my 01 does great. Cools down quickly and keeps it cool. Not sure on the gas mileage difference, just got it in late spring/early summer so haven't really done much driving without a/c on.

 

[tmilicia]

This weekend it was 97 degrees (107 heat index) here in Ohio and the A/C stayed nice and cool while pulling our camper around with the Explorer. We were probably pretty close to capacity with the camper loaded and 7 passengers in the Explorer too. I even had complaints that the rear passengers got too cold with the rear A/C running and had to turn it way down.

 

[vulnox]

We are near Kansas City, and it has not dropped below 100 in the past couple weeks except at night. We had a 2010 Fusion up until Friday when we got our Explorer. The fusion had a great AC but this Explorer is a lot better. Maybe it's because it was just built in Early July so it has the right fans on it, but it has not let us down yet. And it cools down after sitting out very fast.

We don't have AC seats, which I wanted, but instead found if you lightly open the rear overhead vents and aim them at your seats, you get cool air going down your back. I leave the rears on set to about a 3 or 4 on the fan setting and it feels damn good. Close to what we experienced with the Limited we tested, minus the added limited cost.

It takes a few minutes to get them lined up, but it works wonders for us.

 

[RandyH2]

"...if you lightly open the rear overhead vents and aim them at your seats, you get cool air going down your back. I leave the rears on set to about a 3 or 4 on the fan setting and it feels damn good."

That's a great idea! Thanks for sharing.

 

[rbell]

I live in MD and it's been hot, like most of the country, and my front AC works okay. When it's a 100 degrees outside, I'd like the AC to blow cold, not cool, but that's what I'm getting. I tested the back fans and those blow luke warm, never cool or cold, so I'm guessing I have a fan issue? Mine hasn't overheated (knock on wood) but I'm getting tired of this thing and I've had it 8 months. I would say it's been in the shop a total of a month and a half for a multitude of reasons and goes in again this week. I've been talking with Ford Customer Care and they've been nice and helpful, but I'm over it, I'm paying a lot of money for something that I question what's going to happen next every day.

 

[Remeny]

I live in MD and it's been hot, like most of the country, and my front AC works okay. When it's a 100 degrees outside, I'd like the AC to blow cold, not cool, but that's what I'm getting. I tested the back fans and those blow luke warm, never cool or cold, so I'm guessing I have a fan issue? Mine hasn't overheated (knock on wood) but I'm getting tired of this thing and I've had it 8 months. I would say it's been in the shop a total of a month and a half for a multitude of reasons and goes in again this week. I've been talking with Ford Customer Care and they've been nice and helpful, but I'm over it, I'm paying a lot of money for something that I question what's going to happen next every day.

I haven't had the experiences you've been having, but I feel really bad for you. I hope it all works out.

 

[RandyH2]

I live in MD and it's been hot, like most of the country, and my front AC works okay. When it's a 100 degrees outside, I'd like the AC to blow cold, not cool, but that's what I'm getting. I tested the back fans and those blow luke warm, never cool or cold, so I'm guessing I have a fan issue? Mine hasn't overheated (knock on wood) but I'm getting tired of this thing and I've had it 8 months. I would say it's been in the shop a total of a month and a half for a multitude of reasons and goes in again this week. I've been talking with Ford Customer Care and they've been nice and helpful, but I'm over it, I'm paying a lot of money for something that I question what's going to happen next every day.

That sounds a lot like mine- it usually blows cool but not cold. My fans quit on me over the 4th of July vacation but started working again on their own and haven't acted up again so I am watching the temp gauge carefully.

When the fans quit working it will blow warm/hot air when the vehicle is not in motion. At least, mine did.

 

[MikeFreas]

That sounds a lot like mine- it usually blows cool but not cold. My fans quit on me over the 4th of July vacation but started working again on their own and haven't acted up again so I am watching the temp gauge carefully.

When the fans quit working it will blow warm/hot air when the vehicle is not in motion. At least, mine did.

You need to have your fans replaced. If they quit working once they most likely will again and are not operating correctly (enough RPM). The reason you will get cool air for a period of time when you stop is the A/C core is still cold. Eventually it will warm up and blow warm air unless the fans are working or you are driving at highway speeds.

 

[Abrego702]

Sin City Las Vegas here 110 degrees today and the ac in the explorer is super cold. Luv that ****znit!!

 

[RandyH2]

You need to have your fans replaced. If they quit working once they most likely will again and are not operating correctly (enough RPM). The reason you will get cool air for a period of time when you stop is the A/C core is still cold. Eventually it will warm up and blow warm air unless the fans are working or you are driving at highway speeds.

Replacing the fans seems like the prudent thing to do. I am hoping the "fixed itself" is 100% and long-term. Also, since the dealership has a "we have to see it to fix it" policy and the fans are spinning I assumed they wouldn't touch it- I had not thought about them spinning at less than 100%.

Cory, any recommendation in this situation?

Thanks,
Randy

 

[gdecamp]

A/C works great and it was 103 here last week. Love the A/C in the seats too, keeps my butt cool!