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Old Jun 27, 2020 | 04:48 PM
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Default AC temp

Took my 15 Z51 A8 (29K miles) out this afternoon in 95 degree outside air temp. AC was cool but didn't seem to be as cold as I thought it should be. Didn't seem to make any difference on how low I set it and had it blowing on bi-level. Has anyone had to have their freon topped off?
Is that the way it should be or maybe a problem? Didn't have a thermometer to check the air coming out of the ducts.
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Old Jun 27, 2020 | 05:16 PM
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It was 90F here today. My A/C (MY16) is very cold while moving, but less so when sitting in traffic. Not warm but it fluctuates with speed a bit.

Subscribeing...
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Old Jun 27, 2020 | 05:32 PM
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Agree with sitting in traffic the ac is not as cold. Are any of the vents closed? I don't know why but if one of the vents is closed the ac is not as cold.
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Old Jun 27, 2020 | 07:36 PM
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The less air moving through the condenser, the less efficient the cooling.

A trick I use to change to recirculated air if stuck in traffic during warmer times

Last edited by KenHorse; Jun 27, 2020 at 07:36 PM.
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Old Jun 27, 2020 | 07:56 PM
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Originally Posted by xtroms
Took my 15 Z51 A8 (29K miles) out this afternoon in 95 degree outside air temp. AC was cool but didn't seem to be as cold as I thought it should be. Didn't seem to make any difference on how low I set it and had it blowing on bi-level. Has anyone had to have their freon topped off?
Is that the way it should be or maybe a problem? Didn't have a thermometer to check the air coming out of the ducts.
Kinda hard to top off on the fly with out maybe causing damage because it doesn't hold much to begin with (16oz). 38-42 degrees is optimal coming out of the vent.

Last edited by Let It Ride; Jun 27, 2020 at 07:57 PM.
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Old Jun 27, 2020 | 10:47 PM
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If you haven't tried using the recirculating air setting as Ken mentioned, givee it a try. It can make a difference.
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Old Jun 27, 2020 | 11:51 PM
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The default is recirculating..... C7s have known poor HVAC performance.... don't know about the '19s as I just got mine. My '15 and several friends with '15 C7s had problems.... dealers (plural) go "Huh?" The '19, thus far, seems fine....
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Old Jun 28, 2020 | 07:09 AM
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My 14 coupe had a good AC setup, my 14 Vert does not.. Had it serviced and recharged and it helped a little but not much, I like that they added the oil in to make it last longer...
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Old Jun 28, 2020 | 09:24 AM
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It seems like on both of my 2019's the AC just stops being cold for no reason. Then I play with the temperature dial and it comes back. Not sure why it does this.
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Old Jun 28, 2020 | 02:40 PM
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Originally Posted by xtroms
Took my 15 Z51 A8 (29K miles) out this afternoon in 95 degree outside air temp. AC was cool but didn't seem to be as cold as I thought it should be. Didn't seem to make any difference on how low I set it and had it blowing on bi-level. Has anyone had to have their freon topped off?
Is that the way it should be or maybe a problem? Didn't have a thermometer to check the air coming out of the ducts.
I typically don't use bi-level if it's hot. Using that setting to cool the floor to make the seat ventilation more effective?
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Old Jun 28, 2020 | 02:53 PM
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Live & learn! Found if I go to auto or dash vents only AC works fine but not in bi-level.
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Old Jun 28, 2020 | 03:02 PM
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I just hit the auto button. Works every time.
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Old Jun 28, 2020 | 03:28 PM
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Simply have the refrigerant checked.
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Old Jun 29, 2020 | 10:15 AM
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Originally Posted by xtroms
Live & learn! Found if I go to auto or dash vents only AC works fine but not in bi-level.
I've noticed this as well. Bi-Level seems to mix in some warmer air for reasons I can't figure out. So if you want it really cold use the dash vents only.

Once you get the interior cooled down (use recirculating) you can use bi-level to direct air to the seat fans to help them cool your backside (for about 5 mins). Like others noticed sitting in traffic seems to stress the system. With the exhaust running thru the central tunnel a lot of heat transfers into the cabin so you have to put the temperature down lower. Kind of disappointing as the one thing GM traditionally did well was HVAC systems... or so I thought.
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Old Jun 29, 2020 | 02:33 PM
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Originally Posted by 4thC4at60
The default is recirculating..... C7s have known poor HVAC performance.... don't know about the '19s as I just got mine. My '15 and several friends with '15 C7s had problems.... dealers (plural) go "Huh?" The '19, thus far, seems fine....
C7s HVAC is perfectly fine. I live in Dallas with some of the hottest summers around, and have never had an issue with my '15 cooling perfectly fine. You want a Corvette with known poor AC performance, try my C4 ZR-1. That has known poor performance, even worse than the regular C4.

Originally Posted by JMII
I've noticed this as well. Bi-Level seems to mix in some warmer air for reasons I can't figure out. So if you want it really cold use the dash vents only.

Once you get the interior cooled down (use recirculating) you can use bi-level to direct air to the seat fans to help them cool your backside (for about 5 mins). Like others noticed sitting in traffic seems to stress the system. With the exhaust running thru the central tunnel a lot of heat transfers into the cabin so you have to put the temperature down lower. Kind of disappointing as the one thing GM traditionally did well was HVAC systems... or so I thought.
I usually just leave mine on auto, so can't comment on the bi-level setting. The only time I use bi-level or floor vent setting is if I have the roof off but still want some cooling through the vented seat. Also, the heat from the central tunnel is much better than in previous model (C4/5/6). My 2013 had way more heat from the central tunnel than my 2015 does.
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Old Jun 29, 2020 | 03:40 PM
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As I understand the bi-level setting it's supposed warm the feet a little, but provide cooling through the dash vents. Scenario: Cold day, but the sun is shining brightly and you need some cooler air up top to stay comfortable, but you also need warmer air out of the heater vents to keep the feet warm.
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Old Jun 29, 2020 | 08:12 PM
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My 2014 cooling system is weak compared to the last 6 cars I have owned. Others here say the exhaust is transferring heat to the interior, and it seems like it. Also, the rear window seems to transfer a lot of heat inside the coupe. The bilevel setting transfers some of the air downward and makes it feel warmer overall, so I mainly use the upper vents only on warmer days. I usually have the ac on manual (auto off) so I can maximize the fan output. In auto the fan will adjust down even if it is not as cool as I like. In fact in auto the fan seems to speed up and slow down a lot more than I think it should. When in
slower traffic on a hot day (over 90) the system can't keep up with the setting, say if I set it to 68 the car will never get less than 80. System is charged and operating as designed (poorly). I still love by vette.
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Old Jun 30, 2020 | 09:59 AM
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Originally Posted by TxLefty
As I understand the bi-level setting it's supposed warm the feet a little, but provide cooling through the dash vents. Scenario: Cold day, but the sun is shining brightly and you need some cooler air up top to stay comfortable, but you also need warmer air out of the heater vents to keep the feet warm.
So working as designed then? OK.... I'll buy that.

Reading the manual it seems to indicate the best option is to just put the system in Auto and let it do its thing.
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