Air conditioning performance

[Edwards]

Not trying to be rude here but why does Ram have to do better than only 1.6 degrees off? just IMO that's like saying your going to by a Ford just to get to 60mph 1.2 seconds faster

(which if that's the case you really need a hellcat)

That was my takeaways as well. They clearly showed that Ford has colder vent temps but the contest was cabin cooling. I was shocked it was that close and they didn't account for cabin volume. Ram is bigger although that's slightly offset by where they placed the thermometer.

They also didn't talk about the margin of error on those thermometers and that could have been the difference.

Either way, I would have bet money that with those vent temps the Ford would have cooked off at least 10 minutes faster, not by that small a margin.

 

[Love2driveRAM19]

Would be interesting to know how the Ford's lines/duct/parts are set up compared to our Ram's (the lines where the temp fixes have been discovered)?????

For those that are Not getting the low 50+/- degrees out of that vent, this still poses a problem for that percentage of people/trucks needing a manufacturer fix.

For 10+/- lower degrees, I am definitely considering one of the fixes that doesn't void warranty.

 

[Wedgeajt]

My take away from the test is the 10+ degrees difference coming from the vent. So many other factors could effect the temperature gauge in the middle of the truck. For example, one of the vents in the Ram could have been pointed so the air flow is deflected towards the thermometer without them realizing it. But have it stuck right in the air vent...that's the key, regardless of the sunshade being open or not.

 

[Biga]

Thiers other factors that can affect the overall cabin temperatures as well. The color of the truck, the amount of tint in the factory glass, glass size, insulation, and cab size. The same AC system will have to work a little harder in a bigger cabin, darker color truck, and one with more glass.

 

[KcRay]

Thiers other factors that can affect the overall cabin temperatures as well. The color of the truck, the amount of tint in the factory glass, glass size, insulation, and cab size. The same AC system will have to work a little harder in a bigger cabin, darker color truck, and one with more glass.

Don't know how many blower fan speeds the Ford has, But I think there is a reason Ram has 7, and if you put system on auto as cold as it will go, it will actually blow an 8th speed. So many variables, but as surprisingly close as the cabin temp test was, just think about the outcome if all the Ram vents blew 40-44*

 

[DraKhen99]

Don't know how many blower fan speeds the Ford has, But I think there is a reason Ram has 7, and if you put system on auto as cold as it will go, it will actually blow an 8th speed. So many variables, but as surprisingly close as the cabin temp test was, just think about the outcome if all the Ram vents blew 40-44*

This 8th speed... is it recirculation? I read somewhere on this forum that the RAM's HVAC never turned on recirculate on its own - it had to be user-selected. I disagree with that statement, since every time my truck auto stop/starts and the A/C is running, it seems to switch over the recirc. I've been looking for confirmation of these items, to no avail.

Thanks,

-John

 

[KcRay]

This 8th speed... is it recirculation? I read somewhere on this forum that the RAM's HVAC never turned on recirculate on its own - it had to be user-selected. I disagree with that statement, since every time my truck auto stop/starts and the A/C is running, it seems to switch over the recirc. I've been looking for confirmation of these items, to no avail.

Thanks,

-John

Nope, I can be on manual mode with recirculation on and the temp setting as cold as it will go, then push the "Auto" selection and the recirculation setting turns itself off, and the fan kicks up to that 8th speed

 

[RPeezy]

Not trying to be rude here but why does Ram have to do better than only 1.6 degrees off? just IMO that's like saying your going to by a Ford just to get to 60mph 1.2 seconds faster

(which if that's the case you really need a hellcat)

I think the results were really thrown off by the thermometers sitting in the sun from the sunroof. The radiant heat should be about equal. When they closed the sunroof, the Ford pulled away. I think the actual cabin temperature in the Ford was probably lower all along.

Nope, I can be on manual mode with recirculation on and the temp setting as cold as it will go, then push the "Auto" selection and the recirculation setting turns itself off, and the fan kicks up to that 8th speed

Yep, if you turn the fan all the way up on manual and then hit the auto button, you can hear the fan speed increase. I haven't figured out if one cools the truck better than the other, though. Surely there's a reason that Max A/C doesn't use this, right?

 

[riccnick]

There's no 8th speed, and the recirc can be chosen when in auto. The difference in "speed" that you hear is the fresh air vent opening and closing. It also seemingly randomly does this from time to time while driving, even with the truck already at the set temperature.

 

[KcRay]

This 8th speed... is it recirculation? I read somewhere on this forum that the RAM's HVAC never turned on recirculate on its own - it had to be user-selected. I disagree with that statement, since every time my truck auto stop/starts and the A/C is running, it seems to switch over the recirc. I've been looking for confirmation of these items, to no avail.

Thanks,

-John

Nope, I can be on manual mode with recirculation on and the temp setting as cold as it will go,

This 8th speed... is it recirculation? I read somewhere on this forum that the RAM's HVAC never turned on recirculate on its own - it had to be user-selected. I disagree with that statement, since every time my truck auto stop/starts and the A/C is running, it seems to switch over the recirc. I've been looking for confirmation of these items, to no avail.

Thanks,

-John

then push the "Auto" selection and the recirculation setting turns itself off, and the fan kicks up to that 8th speed

There's no 8th speed, and the recirc can be chosen when in auto. The difference in "speed" that you hear is the fresh air vent opening and closing. It also seemingly randomly does this from time to time while driving, even with the truck already at the set temperature.

If that were the case, wouldn't the sound change when you turn recirculation on and off? I know the sound you are speaking of, and it does not change.

 

[RamStone]

I agree with KcRay. When I toggle recirculate on and off I don't experience any audible change in blower sound like I would expect.
I have 600 miles on my 2019 limited black with black interior. Mid 90s today and I'm not happy.
I'm trying everything I can thing of; auto low, recirculate on/off, manual mode, turn off my vented seats, max A/C. I can't get anything out of the vents that feels colder than 70 degrees. All of a sudden, at a stop light, there is an audible change in the blower noise and it starts blowing cold air (like you would expect). I've heard a few others report similar experiences too.
My best therory is there is a software glitch that is preventing the recirculation from working or possible limiting the temp blend from being max cold. I say glitch, I assume it's not intentional.
My 2016 bighorn was glitchy with the cruise control in a similar fashion. Sometimes the first 10 min of operation it wouldn't toggle.
All I know the AC was instantly night and day different.
Anyone here experience this too? If so, I'd love to know how many.

 

[RamCares]

Nope, I can be on manual mode with recirculation on and the temp setting as cold as it will go, then push the "Auto" selection and the recirculation setting turns itself off, and the fan kicks up to that 8th speed

I agree with KcRay. When I toggle recirculate on and off I don't experience any audible change in blower sound like I would expect.
I have 600 miles on my 2019 limited black with black interior. Mid 90s today and I'm not happy.
I'm trying everything I can thing of; auto low, recirculate on/off, manual mode, turn off my vented seats, max A/C. I can't get anything out of the vents that feels colder than 70 degrees. All of a sudden, at a stop light, there is an audible change in the blower noise and it starts blowing cold air (like you would expect). I've heard a few others report similar experiences too.
My best therory is there is a software glitch that is preventing the recirculation from working or possible limiting the temp blend from being max cold. I say glitch, I assume it's not intentional.
My 2016 bighorn was glitchy with the cruise control in a similar fashion. Sometimes the first 10 min of operation it wouldn't toggle.
All I know the AC was instantly night and day different.
Anyone here experience this too? If so, I'd love to know how many.

Hello KcRay and RamStone,
Our team understand how frustrating this air conditioning concern must be. We recommend working with your preferred dealership to further address this concern. If you would like an additional layer of support during this process, please send us a private message.
Jenn
Ram Social Care Specialist

 

[stevestrike]

I want to share something that I hope is genuinely helpful here. I have a black exterior AND interior Ram here in Houston, TX. Temps on the dash have been 95-105+ the past few days. I've also left my truck in full sun for 1+ hours on purpose for this test.

Oh the past three times I've tried this test, I would say that within 5 minutes of starting up and driving, my cabin is very comfortable--and here's the important part--even though my temps are no better than anyone else's here. Low 50's on the driver, mid-40's on passenger.

So the point I'm making/wondering here is that maybe getting 40/50's temp at the air vent is not the real culprit here? Maybe the temps are 'in spec' but something else is causing the system to cool inadequately? It sucks that so many are having issues with their new trucks, and I hope they get this issue figured out.

 

[dstwyatt]

just to let posters know......ram care will do NOTHING to fix this problem....I opened a case, took my truck in 3x to dealer...Now ram care has pulled the dealer off of trying anymore attempts to "fix"....they know that if they try to fix it a 4th time to no avail, the lemon laws could possibly be instigated....very frustrated with a 50k truck where the a/c works worse than a YUGO!!

 

[KcRay]

I want to share something that I hope is genuinely helpful here. I have a black exterior AND interior Ram here in Houston, TX. Temps on the dash have been 95-105+ the past few days. I've also left my truck in full sun for 1+ hours on purpose for this test.

Oh the past three times I've tried this test, I would say that within 5 minutes of starting up and driving, my cabin is very comfortable--and here's the important part--even though my temps are no better than anyone else's here. Low 50's on the driver, mid-40's on passenger.

So the point I'm making/wondering here is that maybe getting 40/50's temp at the air vent is not the real culprit here? Maybe the temps are 'in spec' but something else is causing the system to cool inadequately? It sucks that so many are having issues with their new trucks, and I hope they get this issue figured out.

Why would anybody be ok with vent temps in the low 50s, when we know its capable of low 40s?

just to let posters know......ram care will do NOTHING to fix this problem....I opened a case, took my truck in 3x to dealer...Now ram care has pulled the dealer off of trying anymore attempts to "fix"....they know that if they try to fix it a 4th time to no avail, the lemon laws could possibly be instigated....very frustrated with a 50k truck where the a/c works worse than a YUGO!!

Thank you for the post, and mostly for going through the hassle of all that dealer crap.

 

[Jimmyk]

For what it’s worth I purchased a custom windshield shade from Cover Craft and it has helped immensely. My 1500 limited is dark Maximum Steel and black leather interior and sits in the Texas sun all day. I was unable to touch the dash or steering wheel after being in the sun all day. Now the dash and steering wheel are just warm to the touch and my truck cools off much faster on my way home from work.

 

[Gman]

I have a Covercraft shade as well. I've actually burned my fingers on the shiny side taking it out of the windshield. It makes a huge difference when all of that dash real estate isn't heat soaked.

 

[BeauxXL1200]

just to let posters know......ram care will do NOTHING to fix this problem....I opened a case, took my truck in 3x to dealer...Now ram care has pulled the dealer off of trying anymore attempts to "fix"....they know that if they try to fix it a 4th time to no avail, the lemon laws could possibly be instigated....very frustrated with a 50k truck where the a/c works worse than a YUGO!!

Yeah. I don’t think there’s much Ram Care can help with unless and until FCA engineers come up with a fix for those of us who have poorly performing ACs. I’ve got my hose clamped off, and I’m getting about 44 degrees blowing out the center, driver’s side vent. That’s adequate but it’s a shame that to get adequate AC performance, we have to jerry rig our trucks. I’m also experiencing the sway bar clunk and what I think is the loose cabin bolts problem because I’m starting to hearing popping sounds when turning the truck and rollling over speed bumps and such. Guess I need to take it to the dealer to have these issues checked out. I’m assuming Ford and Chevy/GMC are going to be upping their game interior wise in response to the Ram, so I might trade this poor AC performing Ram in on another brand in a couple of years.

 

[SpeedyV]

I have a Covercraft shade as well. I've actually burned my fingers on the shiny side taking it out of the windshield. It makes a huge difference when all of that dash real estate isn't heat soaked.

It does get fricking hot on that side!

 

[DaMythDaLegend]

That's interesting and all but cooled seats are a luxury and A/C is a necessity that comes on every vehicle manufactured in the world today.

in fact any type of A/C is not a necessity....its a luxury. We've grown accustomed to have this luxury so we perceive it as a "necessity". Does your vehicle have an engine? That's a necessity. If you had no A/C can your vehicle still move you from point A to B? Yes? Then that's a luxury.

Do I agree with you that I also perceive A/C as a necessity? Absolutely!!! Is it? No.