Tesla AC -> cool?

[HaulingAss]

My M3P is doing fine at 100+ the last week. Not sure why others aren't getting the same result as me, but if I turn it down, it gets colder... I'm at 1Y and 15K miles. No complaints at all.

I overheat easily and that's been our experience with both our Model 3's, they keep their cool very well and cool down quickly after being parked in the sun.. We also have a F-150 we have brought to 3 different Ford dealers and all have told us the same thing: The A/C is working properly, that's just how they are. The problem is, on hot days the engine compartment becomes a furnace. If you are stuck in traffic all that heat is spilling over the radiator and it basically doesn't work. The cab overheats with the combined heat of the sun beating down on the metal roof, the firewall becomes heat soaked and radiates heat into the cabin and the A/C can't keep up, even on the Max Cool setting. If you get on the highway it eventually becomes bearable but it doesn't take long for it to become an oven if the traffic comes to a stop. It's been like this since day one when the truck was brand new.

The Model 3's on the other hand are cool as a cucumber. I wouldn't say they are ice cold but there is something about not having a hot engine manifold a couple feet in front of you that makes it seem even cooler than it is. When I say it's not "ice cold" that's a reference to the air coming out of the vents. I've had ICE cars that had colder air coming out of the vents but they did not feel as cool as the Model 3 which feels cooler than an ICE car and I don't want to set it below about 67 because it will become uncomfortably cold.

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[BillyGee]

Thanks CG, whats the purple line?

Purple line is consumption rate per mile, lower is better.

 

[Halemarine]

Could some current owners of Teslas tell me if the air conditioners are Cold? Its a scorcher this year with hotter years ahead. And, is the tesla AC dependable, thanks folks.

I live in Virginia with temperatures in the 90s. My 2021 Model Y (Miss M) has been able to keep us cool and comfortable!

 

[Halemarine]

Are Tesla air conditioners as cold as I.C.E. vehicle's air conditioning?

Yes very much so!

 

[Halemarine]

No, they are not. They do their best, and you will be comfortable, but you will not be ice cold. Especially if you are heading east on a hot morning or west on a hot afternoon. All the more so if it comes at the cost of keeping the battery in peak working order. All the glass in the cars, in sunny/hot climes, is not a benefit. We have had to tint and screen from the first few months of ownership. It would be nice to have them more "open" (brighter/not dark) in the winter, but that is the cost of living in Central Texas...

Dependable? Absolutely. Ours has been completely bullet proof and confidence inspiring for long/short trips, to include ones that my wife takes alone and doesn't concern me at all. I also know that if something goes wrong, Tesla will stand by its product and we will be fine. Not even a question.

One man's opinion after 35k miles. I am sure you'll get many more.

SS

Living in Virginia with average highs in the 90s and heat index over 100° . We haven't any issues with our 2021 Model. It is equipped with the first generation Heatpump. I was stationed at Fort Bliss Texas so understand Virginia isn't as hot as Texas or parts of Florida. I hope this helps answer your question.

 

[empiredown]

My CT will be living outside. If the glass does not reject heat sufficiently, I will be tinting.

You WILL be tinting down here, Partner... Trust a brother.

SS

 

[empiredown]

Living in Virginia with average highs in the 90s and heat index over 100° . We haven't any issues with our 2021 Model. It is equipped with the first generation Heatpump. I was stationed at Fort Bliss Texas so understand Virginia isn't as hot as Texas or parts of Florida. I hope this helps answer your question.

Very familiar with The People's Republik, having been an indentured servant there for the last 10ish years of my life before retirement and before fleeing to the Great(er) State... Bless you for living there. I know well the weather there and I know it gets uncomfy at times. It's not the true south and it's nothing like here. Enjoy it while you got it!

Tesla have UNDOUBTEDLY made and continue to make improvements on this stuff. It's why we all love them. I know we are in good hands. But don't expect a meat locker.

As discussed by someone else above, we too have a F-150, and it has gotten heat soaked from sitting in a parking lot with the HVAC on during one of the rare hot/humid days here (people think it gets humid here a lot, it doesn't) while someone, who shall remain nameless, walked every dang aisle in a Super H.E.B. By the time she who shall remain nameless returned to he who doesn't remain nameless, it was a nasty ride home... lesson learned (for me at least, she still feels the need to walk every aisle!). That said, we have almost as much glass in the greenhouse of it as a Y with its panoramic moon roof, big ass windows, etc. Ford does provide a nice, sliding cover for the roof though (ahem, Tesla! Please...) and we went even darker with the tinting. The AC in that thing (except for the one occasion above) WILL freeze you out. This is a PowerBoost and I can totally tell when it is diverting cooling to protect the battery... but still. The heated AND cooled seats also help! (ahem AGAIN, Tesla! Please...)

Good luck, y'all!

SS

 

[Jhodgesatmb]

Are Tesla air conditioners as cold as I.C.E. vehicle's air conditioning?

I have been leaving my dog in the 2022 Model Y on dog mode while kiteboarding lately. It is set at 69 and when I get back it is chilly in the car (mid 80s outside). I am told that it gets cold quickly. Often when I first get in the car it is hot because I don’t keep the AC on when I am not driving. I would say that it is at least as good as any ICE car I have ever had. I would not be surprised if they are essentially the same. I agree that ventilated seats would be a good idea though in Northern California I have almost never used them on my Lexus or Jeep vehicles.

 

[CyberGus]

...on hot days the engine compartment becomes a furnace. If you are stuck in traffic all that heat is spilling over the radiator and it basically doesn't work. The cab overheats with the combined heat of the sun beating down on the metal roof, the firewall becomes heat soaked and radiates heat into the cabin and the A/C can't keep up, even on the Max Cool setting. If you get on the highway it eventually becomes bearable but it doesn't take long for it to become an oven if the traffic comes to a stop.

When I drove my Miata in the 100°+ heat, over 80MPH, with the top down and A/C on, the engine temp gauge would slowly rise towards the red. It was more than the cooling system could handle.

Amazingly, I could circumvent the problem by turning on my headlights. The pop-up "bugeye" lights acted as air scoops, and cooled the engine compartment enough to make up the difference!

 

[Bill906]

Just thought of something…. Wasn’t there a somewhat cryptic tweet from Elon way back in the beginning about the vault being heated/air conditioned. If that is true, that may imply the AC is sized too cool all that space. So when you’re just conditioning the main cabin, the AC should be more than enough.

I know, lots of “if’s” and speculation.

 

[firsttruck]

Just thought of something…. Wasn’t there a somewhat cryptic tweet from Elon way back in the beginning about the vault being heated/air conditioned. If that is true, that may imply the AC is sized too cool all that space. So when you’re just conditioning the main cabin, the AC should be more than enough.

I know, lots of “if’s” and speculation.

Yes, there was a tweet by Elon. I don't think it was cryptic and to me was very clear. Now of course it was not official.

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LeX Acevedo @acevedo_lex · Dec 17, 2019

Can the #CYBRTRK pump the HVAC to the truck bed when the tonneau cover is closed for sleeping and camping? is there access from the 2nd row? Also does it have the bio defense filter system?

Elon Musk @elonmusk · Dec 17, 2019 · Replying to @acevedo_lex @AlexSibila @Tesla

Yes, probably & partially

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[happy intruder]

Could some current owners of Teslas tell me if the air conditioners are Cold? Its a scorcher this year with hotter years ahead. And, is the tesla AC dependable, thanks folks.

I have 2 Tesla's a 2020 Model S and 2019 Model 3......both a/c units put out very cold air.....the 3 had an issue where the back had HOT air coming out but after 3 trios to the SC it has worked perfectly.....The S has been without ant issues and very cold....I live in Irvine, Ca and weather here ranges from 78F to 100F during Jul and Oct.....I feel confident they will continue function well

 

[Challeco]

Are Tesla air conditioners as cold as I.C.E. vehicle's air conditioning?

The simple answer is yes. The complex answer is the refrigerant is the same. The pressures are the same, the difference between the octovalve based heat pump and a traditional air conditioner system in any other vehicle is the heat pump is reversible. The octovalve heat pump in my Model 3 has cooled down my car from an Oregon Summer and just as capably warmed my car in 20 degrees below zero in less than 10 minutes. It has been a wonderfully reliable feature in a wonderfully capable car regardless of the season. The physics behind both a heat pump and an air conditioning system is the thermal properties of a gas under pressure. Simply, squish the gas and it gives off heat, let the same gas expand it steals heat.

One more thing, each Tesla has a feature on the app that allows the car to cool automatically if the cabin temperature reaches an overheat threshold. So, even if you park your car in direct sun, the car can self regulate. It does use the battery though so be aware that it is just like running an engine to cool the car with A/C. Both use their respective fuel source. The Tesla app also allows you to control your car from your phone. So, if you want to cool the car before you leave work for the day, the app can do that and tell you in real time what the outside and interior temperatures are local to the car. You can also honk the horn, vent the windows, flash the lights, open and close the trunk.

 

[charliemagpie]

I am mesmerized by this cabin cooling issue.

What is the measure? Do you want to freeze the fish you just caught?

 

[Bill906]

the difference between the octovalve based heat pump and a traditional air conditioner system in any other vehicle is the heat pump is reversible.

Very true that using the AC system in reverse to heat the vehicle is one difference between the new Teslas and other cars. But to the point of this discussion, the other main difference is that in ICE vehicles, the pump is powered by the main engine. The power the pump takes from the engine is typically inconsequential compared to ICE’s inherent losses. Where on a BEV, the power used by the pump matters and can noticeably affect range. Tesla most likely does a very careful balancing act to size the pump to give the best cooling performance while minimizing losses.

In college I drove an ‘86 Buick Regal that had a V8 engine. If I left the AC on “Max” for to long I could turn that car into a meat locker. On a particularly hot humid day, I started it and left it running with the AC on to cool it off. Condensation started to form on the outside of the side windows. I still remember the chill I felt getting into that car that day. (Yes I realize the multiple layers of wastefulness in this story. But god, did I love that about that car.)

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