86 Air Conditioning

[bkharmony]

So I've had a brand new 2017 86 for two months now. Previous car was a 2013 TC. I prefer to drive with AC off as much as possible, but it's starting to heat up in Texas, so the last few weeks I've been running it during the afternoon.

Obviously this is subjective, but the AC seems really poor in this car. I would think it'd be easy to cool such a small cabin. Today it's 85, and driving around I'm beginning to break a sweat. It just never felt comfortable, even though I had the temp at coldest with recirculation on. My TC definitely cooled better.

Are these vehicles known for having weak AC systems? My thought was maybe the compressor is small to save weight. Do I need to check with Toyota Service, or am I just being a big wimp? We haven't even hit 90º yet, so I'm a bit worried.

[8RZ]

Weird, maybe check your freon level? Here in Florida mine has no trouble keeping me cool, I even up the temp since I get too cold at times.

[bababooey]

mine can freeze me out mid summer if given long enough cranked to max.

[Dadhawk]

As @8RZ and @bababooey say, I'd have it checked by the dealer. Mine will create icicles on your hands if you turn it up too high. I rarely run it over level 2 even on the hottest Atlanta day.

[FR-Sky]

are u sure? mine is hella cold even with level 1.

[Braces]

Something wrong with your car. I never had any issues when I had the car in 100 degree Phoenix.

[strat61caster]

imo it struggles if you're not moving, thermal insulation is poor in an effort to keep the weight low and you feel it, engine temps have a noticeable impact on your hvac system (great in the cold, crap most of the rest of the time). If you can maintain consistent speeds, (30+ mph) it does the job well, like others said downright chilly on max blast even in 105+ degree heat once the cabin gets cooled off it doesn't need to be on max blast to maintain it, but if you trudge along in stop and go traffic a lot I'm not surprised that you feel underwhelmed.


I maintain that the truck I bought for $1000 that was built 22 years before my FR-S had better AC.

[yelsew]

Originally Posted by strat61caster

I maintain that the truck I bought for $1000 that was built 22 years before my FR-S had better AC.

AAh yes, Probably the joys of the old R12 refrigerant before everything switched to R134a

[arrow34]

Funny, coming from a 2008 tc, I think the frs has better ac But then again, my ac compressor finally failed last year which made me switch to a frs... boo... I only miss the hatch from the tc. But I love my frs.

[nextcar]

Originally Posted by bkharmony

So I've had a brand new 2017 86 for two months now. Previous car was a 2013 TC. I prefer to drive with AC off as much as possible, but it's starting to heat up in Texas, so the last few weeks I've been running it during the afternoon.

Obviously this is subjective, but the AC seems really poor in this car. I would think it'd be easy to cool such a small cabin. Today it's 85, and driving around I'm beginning to break a sweat. It just never felt comfortable, even though I had the temp at coldest with recirculation on. My TC definitely cooled better.

Are these vehicles known for having weak AC systems? My thought was maybe the compressor is small to save weight. Do I need to check with Toyota Service, or am I just being a big wimp? We haven't even hit 90º yet, so I'm a bit worried.

Hmm... You state the AC is set at the coldest setting/recirculate, but what was the fan speed set to?

I agree with the others - the AC in this car is more than adequate - but unless you are moving some air the coldest setting will have little effect...

Good luck & "keep cool"!

[bkharmony]

Originally Posted by nextcar

Hmm... You state the AC is set at the coldest setting/recirculate, but what was the fan speed set to?

I usually prefer it at 2, but today I was switching between 3 and 4.

[strat61caster]

Originally Posted by yelsew

AAh yes, Probably the joys of the old R12 refrigerant before everything switched to R134a

A 4-banger in an engine bay designed for a V6 helps too. While an 86 is convenient to work on, it ain't all that spacious. Heat management is highly overlooked by the average Joe until the system fails.

[bkharmony]

Originally Posted by strat61caster

If you can maintain consistent speeds, (30+ mph) it does the job well, like others said downright chilly on max blast even in 105+ degree heat once the cabin gets cooled off it doesn't need to be on max blast to maintain it, but if you trudge along in stop and go traffic a lot I'm not surprised that you feel underwhelmed.

90% of the time I'm in start/stop traffic or inching along. Probably not the best conditions for an AC system.

[strat61caster]

Originally Posted by bkharmony

90% of the time I'm in start/stop traffic or inching along. Probably not the best conditions for an AC system.

Bingo, as far as I'm concerned your car sounds just like mine.

The price you pay for a ~2760 lb coupe.



Edit: The Scion TC weighs >3,000 lbs, what you get with that extra 250+ lbs is a better HVAC system for the passengers (more powerful A/C, better routing and insulation of the ducting), it's all about sacrifices when you build a car on a price point.