A/C Performance

[djwdjw]

I've been reading this thread for a while, interested to see if the AC was going to be a continuing issue with these trucks...

So today was the first semi-warm day here since purchasing the truck (8/31 build) It maxed out today around 88-89 in N TX, and not particularly humid. I had an opportunity to test a little bit with a Thermapen while running other errands.

Set to max AC, 88F ambient, with a fan speed around 5, the passenger dash vents will get as low as 48F given some time. Drivers side vents run at least 5 degrees warmer - typically 54-58F is the lowest they can get at idle or a bit above idle. Cruising off the idle peg, under 2K rpm the temps get a few degrees cooler than that at best. Rear vents are in the same neighborhood, slightly warmer than the passenger front vents. Tomorrow is forecast to be max 82F but I plan to check out two other cars in the driveway to compare. After that no warm temps in the forecast.

It is puzzling how the driver's side is consistently 5+ warmer that the passenger side.

I'd be pretty happy if it could push these temps out next summer when its 110F

All completely unscientific since the thermal load on the cabin was really not much by summer standards, but at least the AC is capable of putting out cool air.


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[Old member 1160]

I just got my truck back from the dealer on Monday after spending five days there for brake squeal, center dash lid swap (squeak), LED glovebox replacement, and AC cooling not optimal.

Everything fixed so very happy so far.

Regarding AC, freon was low from the factory. Seems to be cooler but of course the weather has turned and we've been having a cold spell in Houston for the last few days. I will post back once it warms back up to confirm fix.

How did your dealer correct the brake squeal? Was your’s intermittent or doing it every time? Mine is intermittent and the dealer is advising they “cannot replicate it”.

 

[Neurobit]

How did your dealer correct the brake squeal? Was your’s intermittent or doing it every time? Mine is intermittent and the dealer is advising they “cannot replicate it”.

Replaced rotors, and pads (with the updated pads). You can see a screenshot of the work they did on my truck here.

Cheers,
Neurobit

 

[Old member 1160]

Replaced rotors, and pads (with the updated pads). You can see a screenshot of the work they did on my truck here.

Cheers,
Neurobit

Thank you - were your brakes sqeauling all the time, or just intermittently? I notice it most often when on a descent. However, I cannot replicate it every time. I may end up having to wait to take this back into the dealer until it happens almost every time I brake. When it does happen (~30% of the time right now) it is sure loud and annoying.

 

[Neurobit]

Thank you - were your brakes sqeauling all the time, or just intermittently? I notice it most often when on a descent. However, I cannot replicate it every time. I may end up having to wait to take this back into the dealer until it happens almost every time I brake. When it does happen (~30% of the time right now) it is sure loud and annoying.

Intermittent under light braking, but it was becoming more frequent. If I braked hard a few times, it would go away for a day or two (which happened when I took it to the dealer, of course it was silent... ).

I told the dealer that it was intermittent though. Brakes have been silent since the fix, which I am so grateful for.

 

[djwdjw]

I've been reading this thread for a while, interested to see if the AC was going to be a continuing issue with these trucks...

So today was the first semi-warm day here since purchasing the truck (8/31 build) It maxed out today around 88-89 in N TX, and not particularly humid. I had an opportunity to test a little bit with a Thermapen while running other errands.

Set to max AC, 88F ambient, with a fan speed around 5, the passenger dash vents will get as low as 48F given some time. Drivers side vents run at least 5 degrees warmer - typically 54-58F is the lowest they can get at idle or a bit above idle. Cruising off the idle peg, under 2K rpm the temps get a few degrees cooler than that at best. Rear vents are in the same neighborhood, slightly warmer than the passenger front vents. Tomorrow is forecast to be max 82F but I plan to check out two other cars in the driveway to compare. After that no warm temps in the forecast.

It is puzzling how the driver's side is consistently 5+ warmer that the passenger side.

I'd be pretty happy if it could push these temps out next summer when its 110F

All completely unscientific since the thermal load on the cabin was really not much by summer standards, but at least the AC is capable of putting out quite cool air.


. View attachment 7152 View attachment 7153

Quoting my own message I did follow-up and check out the two other cars in my driveway today since the weather was fairly warm, close to yesterday's temps. I was a bit shocked by the results:

1. 15 year old Acura SUV with 169K miles - with a minute of starting the car with the AC on Max and half-speed fan the temp coming out of the vent was 37F. I kid you not. I saw as low as 35F in the 3 minutes I tested it, but never more than 38F. Same temp on driver and passenger, slightly warmer in the 2nd row AC vents.

2. 5 year old Tesla - within a minute on max cool at half fan 38F. Didn't check the 2nd row vents.

I was shocked out quickly both put out really cold air compared to the truck.

I guess the Ram has a way to go in putting out comparably cold air. The output of the truck is ~~15-20 degrees warmer and slower to cool measured at the vent.

I double checked the truck to day and got the same readings as yesterday: 48-49F on the passenger side, 54-58F on the drivers side dash vents.


PS - and the irony of an "Indigo Frost" interior is not completely lost on me. No frost here.

 

[RBRK]

The Ram will never see 40 degrees. I would be happy with 45. They totally screwed up.

 

[RamCares]

I've been reading this thread for a while, interested to see if the AC was going to be a continuing issue with these trucks...

So today was the first semi-warm day here since purchasing the truck (8/31 build) It maxed out today around 88-89 in N TX, and not particularly humid. I had an opportunity to test a little bit with a Thermapen while running other errands.

Set to max AC, 88F ambient, with a fan speed around 5, the passenger dash vents will get as low as 48F given some time. Drivers side vents run at least 5 degrees warmer - typically 54-58F is the lowest they can get at idle or a bit above idle. Cruising off the idle peg, under 2K rpm the temps get a few degrees cooler than that at best. Rear vents are in the same neighborhood, slightly warmer than the passenger front vents. Tomorrow is forecast to be max 82F but I plan to check out two other cars in the driveway to compare. After that no warm temps in the forecast.

It is puzzling how the driver's side is consistently 5+ warmer that the passenger side.

I'd be pretty happy if it could push these temps out next summer when its 110F

All completely unscientific since the thermal load on the cabin was really not much by summer standards, but at least the AC is capable of putting out cool air.


. View attachment 7152 View attachment 7153

The Ram will never see 40 degrees. I would be happy with 45. They totally screwed up.

Hi djwdjw and RBRK,
I understand why this would be disappointing. Please send us a private message if you decide to have your dealer look into this so we can have this documented for further handling.
Lydia
Ram Social Case Specialist

 

[go-ram]

UPDATE Nov. 02, 2018: Test drove a Laramie Longhorn today, build date 10/18, it had just arrived at the dealer yesterday afternoon (11-01-2018), happy to report that the air-conditioning worked beautifully in that one truck. I didn't have a thermometer with me, but in contrast to all of the other 2019 Ram 1500 DTs I've tested, this one began putting out nicely cool air almost immediately, and the air felt much cooler than any of the other 2019s I have tried out. Ambient temperature was 75°F, (same as my earlier post [post # 126 on page 7 of this thread], wherein I tried out a half-dozen new DTs and all were sub-par in terms of AC performance).

 

[User_3336]

I will have to say that my '18 Sport Night would freeze you outta the cab!

19's a/c is pretty lack luster. what could be so different in the models?

 

[Clift567]

Has any one encountered this problem with their 5th Gen ram.

I noticed on my first morning drive to work. That tge A/C was coming up from the defrost vents. Since I'm in FL the condensation started building up on the front window. I had the front vents on no defrost and temp set at low, and recyle on. Attached photos.

The truck had 50 miles on it.

Took it by the dealer, and they said it was normal.. which I called B.S..

Has anyone encountered this problem..

Thanks

 

[Flot]

I noticed on my first morning drive to work. That tge A/C was coming up from the defrost vents. Since I'm in FL the condensation started building up on the front window. I had the front vents on no defrost and temp set at low, and recyle on.

Took it by the dealer, and they said it was normal.. which I called B.S..

I've seen 5-6 people complain about this. My truck has mediocre AC, but it has never put condensation on the front window.

 

[BobVance]

I have the condensation issue inside too. Gotten cool here lately, autostarted the truck a couple minutes before work. When I got in, the windshield looked wet - hit the wipers - nope, moisture is inside the cab....

Went inside and grabbed a rag to wipe it off so I could see where I was going

 

[chemist2000]

I have the condensation issue inside too. Gotten cool here lately, autostarted the truck a couple minutes before work. When I got in, the windshield looked wet - hit the wipers - nope, moisture is inside the cab....

Went inside and grabbed a rag to wipe it off so I could see where I was going

ditto

 

[Ramjack]

I hate to say it but I'm glad there is something to keep the HVAC issues in front of FCA during the cooler seasons. I was concerned that they would get a reprieve from the complaints for several months due to cooler weather and not make any effort to find a fix.

 

[Neurobit]

Have you guy taken it to the dealer?

Mine was low on refrigerant from the factory.
They topped it off and it’s running like an AC should.

 

[Ortiz7983]

I feel very fortunate that my A/C seems to be working perfectly. I just leave it on Auto at all times.

How does auto work? Are you suppose to set the temperature you want first then press auto?

 

[Neurobit]

How does auto work? Are you suppose to set the temperature you want first then press auto?

Correct

 

[SpeedyV]

How does auto work? Are you suppose to set the temperature you want first then press auto?

The order doesn’t matter. Just enable Auto and adjust the temperature as desired. Let the system figure out how best to get there.

Note: this system is VERY slow to adjust to ambient conditions when the vehicle is first started. Once it settles in (after 5 minutes or so), it’s fine. But I think all of us agree that this programming needs an update. It should be “aware” of current conditions within seconds, not minutes.

 

[Neurobit]

The order doesn’t matter. Just enable Auto and adjust the temperature as desired. Let the system figure out how best to get there.

Note: this system is VERY slow to adjust to ambient conditions when the vehicle is first started. Once it settles in (after 5 minutes or so), it’s fine. But I think all of us agree that this programming needs an update. It should be “aware” of current conditions within seconds, not minutes.

Agree. Outside temp also takes a while to update. Last week when we got a cold spell, the outside temp showed 50 deg for like half an hour or so, even though temps were in the high thirties...