The AC will work MUCH better in hot weather when set to recirculation mode. Recirc doesn't completely cut outside air but it greatly reduces the amount and thus the load on the cooling system.

When coming into a superheated car (inside temp far higher than outside ambient) the AC system will cool much more quickly if you put the windows down for a short time to quickly shed the extra heat.

In stop and go/low speed driving staying in lower gears longer will keep the engine RPM up where the compressor is in a more effective operating range. With the auto for long lights shifting to neutral will help slightly and reduce transmission heating.

Even without the transparent roof (which I have) the Corvette has a lot of glass with a big windshield and rear hatch so think of it as a stylish and cool version of the much mocked AMC Pacer

 

Good point. I have noted better cooling with recirc on, and that includes 120 and above.

 

Thought it has auto recirculate?

 

Four thoughts:

1) The heat that comes in from the transparent top is significant. If it is sunny out the heat added to the passenger compartment while sitting or driving can be very high. If you have the transparent top, on those days that you know it is going to be hot and sunny install one of the suction cup mounted headliners onto the inside of the transparent top to reduce the heat gain. RPI Designs sells two different liners. I bought the more expensive of the two and am VERY happy with the look and the fit.

2) The maximum start up fan speed can be adjusted in the settings. If I remember correctly there is a High, Medium, and Low setting. It is designed to help keep the fan speed at a reasonable noise level. Obviously if the fan is running slower than it needs to be you won't receive the maximum cooling when you first start up the car and need it most. If it isn't already at High try it there for a few days and see if that improves your temperature control.

3) If you have ventillated seats they can help some too. For maximum effect try manually adjusting the AC to bi-level to get cold air blowing along the floor to the fan under the seat.

4) Make sure you have SYNCh'd the temperature that you desire with the passenger's setpoint if no one is in the vehicle with you. This should help to keep the controls and the system at their most efficient setting.

 

It will use recirculation in auto mode WHEN it thinks it needs to however it attempts to cool with minimal recirculation and you will get much faster response in most situations selecting recirculation manually. Recirculation in auto mode is a response to inability to cool sufficiently and under most conditions it won't engage this feature until it has already let the passenger compartment get warmer than desired.

The only negative I found to often using manual recirculation was when the car was new (mine is now just over 3 months old with 3,000 miles on it) the new material fumes inside were overwhelming but that has thankfully gone away now.

 

I find that if I take it off "auto" mode, and turn the fan all the way up at the 70 degree setting, it blows me out of the car even at temps far beyond 100 degrees....

 

Just tried it. 104 in AZ. Hit the recirculate button, pushed the bi-level button and the car cooled off much quicker. And the vented seats produced a cooler air floor. Certainly not COLD, but improved.

I still think there is a noticeable difference between the C7 and the C5/C6.

 

With all the windows tinted and a windshield UV/IR rejection coating, my car was vastly improved. Before all that I was constantly fiddling with fan speeds. Now I just leave it on auto and temp at 70F. I'm in south Florida with 96F average highs and the car sitting in the sun as I leave work.

 

The C7 is the only car I've owned that I haven't seen use recirculating mode when it's set to "auto". It's very odd to me that I have to switch to manual mode to get the recirc function to work.

 

I had the outside sensor crap out on me and replaced and the air works fine down here in FLA.

 

The ac in my 2016 vert is excellent. 95 degrees yesterday and I was actually cold. I set the temp to "lo" and auto and within a minute it's feeling good. I could see how the transparent top of a coupe would bake the occupants but otherwise not sure why anyone wouldn't feel cold .

 

It is possible the recirc annunciator light may not come on when recirc is commanded under automatic climate control so you may not know when recirc is being used under auto. I expect that auto, instead of going to max recirc, probably dynamically varies the blend between cabin/outside air so it isn't an "on/off" behavior but instead a continuum under full auto. I think the indicator is just for noting manual operation.

 

My C7 a/c indeed does not seem to cool as well as my C6 or C5 did. I use "auto" and leave it on 72, as it was designed to be used. This method worked great in the prior two cars, a marvel of HVAC engineering that I often bragged about.

The C7 a/c has worked noticeably better since I went into the Vehicle Settings and bumped the Auto Fan Speed up to high. At this setting, it works well enough that I can leave it on auto at 72.

 

Check out the Llumar Air line of window films. I went with Air 90 on my windshield and it makes a noticeable difference.

http://www.llumar.com/choose-a-produ...r-window-films

With that on the windshield, plus Llumar Ceramatix 30% on the sides and back, my A/C has no problem cooling the cabin after it's been sitting outside in the sun, or keeping the cabin cool on a drive.

 

More glass, thinner glass (to save weight) Carbon Fiber parts (thinner, lighter) means more heat will get through. Begs the question as to whether or not there is some kind of clear UV film for the windshield that can cut temps and the harmful UV rays while staying legal.

Even with the best tint on the market and a sunshade, after sitting in 100 degree heat in the sun for half a day, getting into the car it's still about 140 inside (as opposed to 160, big woop).

After the first 5 minutes of driving make sure the A/C is also on recirculation. The vette's should automatically do that I believe but I could be wrong. I'm more familiar with the C5..

 

No issue here, auto to 72 and it's fine. I do have tinted windows but never had an issue before the tint.

 

It's all about how much air is getting through to the engine bay. Getting stuck in traffic, the A/C is going to struggle. Get out on an open road for 10 minutes, and you should be freezing your *** off.

 

That's all I use during the summer except for the first 5 minutes. During that short time I run with the windows down and outside air coming in. An A/C is only designed to cool air temps by 20-30 degrees. When you turn on re-circulation is it cooling down already cooled air. So temps drop a lot faster and stay there.

 

I have similar at home. In a car it makes so much sense. Dark windows look cool, but for us pedestrians it is more dangerous crossing streets when you can't see the driver.

 

To maximize the cool, I just recycle the cabin air if its extremely hot outside. Works fine!