Protege's a/c

[CarDemon]

Up @ DKN's. There was a little side conversation which caught me ear and I was nodding in agreement.

If Mazda were to rework this car and take some feedback of which I sent away 3 weeks after driving the car I would mention the A/C cooling effectiveness.

Although this is my first car with A/C that is working these past two weeks were the test in Southern & Central Ontario.
Driven in G.M. and Honda Midsize Cars, I found the A/C to come out Icy Cold at a moments desire.

But with my little P5 things are just adequate but just not enough, unless driving for at least 5 minutes continously on a highway or long stretch of road. To get the most out of the A/C it seems it has to be turned on on its fullest fan blowing #4 and set to the coldest on the dial.

Maybe my untinted car and the glassy engineering of this model is just what I have to except on this sexy and great car. Just a little gripe for the day I guess.

Any thoughts, agreements, disagreements or violent objections???

[CarDemon]

Pardon My Newfie Grammar http://msg.toprotege.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif

[p5crazy]

I totally agree, but apparently this is the case for some technical emissions related reason...Raymond tried to explain it too me at DKN, but he started talking all technical, and I got totally lost!...the only thing is, I don't think anything has changed recently, and I had a 2000 GTP that had A\C cold enough to flash freeze chicken on the dash.

It is unfortunate that they do not have a better A\C unit, but anything is better then nothing.

[Protege5girl]

The A/C totally blows on this car. If they were offering dissatisfied customers their $ back..I'd be first in line.

I don't even notice that much of a difference in the temperature of the air with the a/c on and off.

[Kranberry]

Just a tip, in case you guys didn't do this already. What I find that helps majorly in cooling down the car is to turn the air to recycle and not get fresh air. That is at least until the car is cooled down. It works great...of course not as good as a domestic, where it gets downright chilly, but I get my car cool within 5-10 minutes no problems. After it is cool, you let some fresh air and it if needed because of stop and go traffic you just put it back to recycle.

[mronions]

I've also found that the P5 air-con leaves a little to be desired when compared to the GM icey cold air I've been used to the last few years. My P5 really heats up fast with the leather seats,.... "ouch" says girlfriend in mini skirt ......!
Cracking the rear windows a couple of inches and blowing the hot air out the back while keeping it on recycle seems to help a bit,..... roll 'em back up after a couple of minutes of course.

[p5crazy]

welcome mronions!

[toprotege5]

This is why I love you guys and this board http://msg.toprotege.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif I always thought I was a nut... ok I still do... but that's not the point... but I always thought that I get all pissy about silly things and I may too much of a fuss over things and complain about things that no one else would notice... but you guys have proven that I am not as insane as I thought, the AC has been driving me freaking nuts, but again I thought I was just being picky... thank you for confirming my concerms... ohhh... them big words 4 me http://msg.toprotege.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

[7plymaple]

OK guys! This is my effort to make you feel better and do some whining of my own.  http://msg.toprotege.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

The next time you feel bad about your cars not cooling down fast enough, just think of me and my SWEATY ASS turning off the A.C. in my little 1.6 to get enough power to pass on the 401.  http://msg.toprotege.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/sad.gif

So the next time its hot out and you see me on the onramp of the highway dont just stand there give me a push! http://msg.toprotege.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/crazy.gif

[pawood]

Though the A/C isn't flash-freezing quality, I'm more than happy with it. I found that I'm not feeling a real drag on power when I turn it on, and with only 130 hp and no turbo, I was expecting a notable lag when I put it on. It may not be perfect, but I'm satisfied.

[midnightblue97lx]

For as often as I use my A/C, I also find it adequate, though not outstanding. I think I use it more to keep my compressor from seizing up than anything else. How I long for the days of R-12 in my parent's old Wood paneled Caprice wagon.

[ALS-protege]

I also noticed that I can't tell the difference if the A/C is on or not..especially when the air is set to blow on the feet...
During one of the Hot days we had, I tested it and I actually went from Mississauga to Markham with just the fan set to #2 and the temp set to the coldest...And did not turn the A/C on..I was actually OK...
I almost thought my A/C button didn't work and my A/C was always on...[Not cold enough though even when set to #4]

I will be bringing my car in soon to get them to check that out as well as my Sunroof issue...
If I learn something there, I will Share with you guys and Gals.

[murda]

I think it sucks too!

[Protege5girl]

I was told that in order for the a/c to work "properly" (adequately) you need to leave it on recycled air.

You can ask them to put a little bit of extra freon (spelling??) in to make it a little colder.

[Familia 323]

Yes, that's true Sondra.. Set it at inside air recycle, and it gets a bit colder and faster.

[Joe_Pro5]

Is it true that if you run it on recycled air for more than a few minutes it can ice up the condenser (or some other part of the a/c)?

I remember hearing that it can be disastrous for the a/c to be run for any length of time on recycled air.

Anyone know for sure? I hope i'm wrong, cause the a/c is much colder on recycled........

[DWM-motorsports]

The main problem with running a/c system on recirc. for long periods of time will be the smell. after a while (may be a month or so) you will get a bad smell when the heater fan is first turned on. Use the recir button at first. until cabin starts to get comfortable, then switch to fresh air..
Turn fan speed down slightly, maybe use speed 3. This gives the air flow more time in the evaporator to cool..
If the system is fully charged adding even slightly more freon will cause the system to cool less not more..
Poor a/c performance compared to ford/gm has been a common complaint.I used to work for Honda and heard the same complaint all the time.
It takes a dealer only a couple of minutes to check air cond. performance to make sure its within spec. Have them check it next time the car is there for service.

[midnightblue97lx]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (Joe_Pro5 @ July 22 2002,8:08)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">Is it true that if you run it on recycled air for more than a few minutes it can ice up the condenser (or some other part of the a/c)?

I remember hearing that it can be disastrous for the a/c to be run for any length of time on recycled air.

Anyone know for sure? I hope i'm wrong, cause the a/c is much colder on recycled........[/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'>
It can happen but only if its not really that hot to begin with. but then why would you use the A/C if its not that hot??
I find that in my parent's impala, if they've got it on recirc. I tend to start sneezing, alot. I don't know why, because I'm pretty sure that on GM cars now, I know atleast the vans a couple yeears ago they had a filter to get rid of dust and crap. but I don't have my A/C on recirculate that much because I don't even use it most of the time