Notices
2003-2009 Nissan 350Z

How long does it take for your ac to start cooling the car?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Sep 18, 2006 | 09:00 AM
  #1  
Conceyted's Avatar
Conceyted
Thread Starter
Registered User
iTrader: (7)
 
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 2,311
Likes: 0
From: New Orleans, LA
Default How long does it take for your ac to start cooling the car?

For about a month or so now I have been noticing that my ac takes about 5-10 minutes to cool my car off. With the outside temperatures about 90-97 degrees I guess it would take a few minutes to get all of the heat to escape. However, I think the problem is more than that. If I put my hand in front of the ac vents, the air coming from the ac vent is cool but not freezing cold. As time goes on from startup the air slowly gets colder and colder. At anywhere from 5-10 minutes of driving the air will have reached max coldness. And it is then that the car begins to cool down.

I dont remember if the car has always been this way that is why I am asking you all to confirm this.

As a side note, I notice that after about 30 minutes to an hour of parking my car after a drive. I have a puddle of what I assume to be condensation coming from the ac. However when I look at other cars parked next to me, none seem to have one as big as mine. Anyone know if this could be a problem or if this is normal in your experience with your z?


Thanks,
-Chris
Reply
Old Sep 18, 2006 | 09:03 AM
  #2  
VO...'s Avatar
VO...
Administrator
iTrader: (25)
 
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 58,609
Likes: 2,747
From: Down Under & Dirty
Default

sounds pretty normal...For some reason, the Z has a pretty $hitty AC. Mine is the same way. I also own a 2006 Nissan Frontier. It doesn't have the same problem though. It will freeze you up in a heartbeat.
Reply
Old Sep 18, 2006 | 10:13 AM
  #3  
Conceyted's Avatar
Conceyted
Thread Starter
Registered User
iTrader: (7)
 
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 2,311
Likes: 0
From: New Orleans, LA
Default

anyone else?
Reply
Old Sep 18, 2006 | 10:18 AM
  #4  
Ianmtx's Avatar
Ianmtx
Registered User
iTrader: (4)
 
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 2,036
Likes: 0
From: Texas
Default

Mine only takes about a minute or two and it's hot as ***** here.
Reply
Old Sep 18, 2006 | 10:22 AM
  #5  
davidv's Avatar
davidv
Registered User
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 42,753
Likes: 11
From: Tucson, AZ
Default

Depends on the ambient temperature
Humidity
And has the car been parked in the sun and for how long.
Reply
Old Sep 18, 2006 | 10:27 AM
  #6  
usmanasif's Avatar
usmanasif
Registered User
iTrader: (4)
 
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 4,046
Likes: 1
From: Mile High City
Default

Yes, the Z's A/C is known for its long "really get going" time. Once it reaches the optimal temp though, I have found it to work fairly decent. Our tC's A/C still beats the Z's, though.
Reply
Old Sep 18, 2006 | 10:42 AM
  #7  
WYZIWYG's Avatar
WYZIWYG
New Member
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 8,736
Likes: 208
From: BEHIND YOU!! BEHIND YOU!!!
Default

Originally Posted by Conceyted
anyone else?
I think that "puddle" you're referring to occurs in all cars that run the a/c. I get one under the Z and one under my Corolla as well...
Reply
Old Sep 18, 2006 | 10:46 AM
  #8  
usmanasif's Avatar
usmanasif
Registered User
iTrader: (4)
 
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 4,046
Likes: 1
From: Mile High City
Default

Originally Posted by WYZIWYG
I think that "puddle" you're referring to occurs in all cars that run the a/c. I get one under the Z and one under my Corolla as well...


Condensation from the A/C lines.
Reply
Old Sep 18, 2006 | 10:59 AM
  #9  
Conceyted's Avatar
Conceyted
Thread Starter
Registered User
iTrader: (7)
 
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 2,311
Likes: 0
From: New Orleans, LA
Default

yea I guess its just so freaking hot down here I am second guessing my ac. can't wait for winter!
Reply
Old Sep 18, 2006 | 12:45 PM
  #10  
stein's Avatar
stein
Registered User
iTrader: (3)
 
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 5,856
Likes: 0
From: Virginia Beach, VA
Default

I checked my AC out at lunch after reading this thread.

Air temp 86F
Humidity: 47%

First 30 seconds it blew hot-warm air
Next 60 seconds felt cooler but not cold
Next 2 minutes it felt like a freezer blowing
Once I got moving it felt very cold and would freeze you fingers if I left them in front of the blower long enough.

The puddle is common to all ACs. I'm sure the plastics under the engine caught a lot of it. with driving and would drain it when parked.

I will say the AC in the z is better than Toyota's 4 cyl cars and about par with Ford/Pontiac's 6 & 8 cly cars.
Reply
Old Sep 18, 2006 | 01:03 PM
  #11  
rmatic09's Avatar
rmatic09
Registered User
iTrader: (4)
 
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 111
Likes: 0
From: Long Island
Default

My number 1 complaint about the Z is the AC, i used to own a TSX and the AC was alot better. Oh well.....
Reply
Old Sep 18, 2006 | 01:25 PM
  #12  
roast's Avatar
roast
Registered User
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 4,092
Likes: 1
From: Okay, see?
Default

It hit 110 here this summer and my AC did a satisfactory job. No complaints here.

Mine takes a few minutes to get going and probably another few minutes to really get cranking... but that's to be expected.
Reply
Old Sep 18, 2006 | 01:37 PM
  #13  
geomark's Avatar
geomark
New Member
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 605
Likes: 2
From: Las Vegas, NV
Default

The Z AC is freakin nice. Is it just me or does it feel like an icebox in there, and I'm in VEGAS. I guess coming from a 1998 SUV, I have no complaints.

It takes less than a minute usually to cool off.
Reply
Old Sep 18, 2006 | 01:40 PM
  #14  
MERK350Z's Avatar
MERK350Z
Registered User
 
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 149
Likes: 0
From: NEWJERSEY
Default hmm

i have to say mine takes about a min or two but once the sucker is cool its gets to cold sometimes i have to turn up the temp on the ac. but with a droptop z i really dont us it that much
Reply
Old Sep 18, 2006 | 01:56 PM
  #15  
ZlleH's Avatar
ZlleH
Registered User
iTrader: (7)
 
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 4,589
Likes: 1
From: Ottawa, Canada
Default

The only thing I found really wierd about the A/C is when you are ilding and you turn on the A/C, it blows warm to lukewarm air. It's only when you start moving does it start to gain cold air.
Reply
Old Sep 18, 2006 | 01:57 PM
  #16  
Jenn350Z's Avatar
Jenn350Z
Registered User
 
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,701
Likes: 0
From: Canada
Default

Gets super cold right away
Reply
Old Sep 18, 2006 | 02:02 PM
  #17  
roast's Avatar
roast
Registered User
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 4,092
Likes: 1
From: Okay, see?
Default

Originally Posted by Jenn350Z
Gets super cold right away
lol.... roll down the windows eh??
Reply
Old Sep 18, 2006 | 02:13 PM
  #18  
tytalian's Avatar
tytalian
Registered User
iTrader: (5)
 
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 286
Likes: 0
From: the red stick
Default

mines the same way. so damn hot here. get you a windshield shade. they work wonders.
Reply
Old Sep 18, 2006 | 02:15 PM
  #19  
streetracer's Avatar
streetracer
Registered User
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,139
Likes: 0
From: San Juan
Default

To the OP, try tinting the windows. Helps a lot. Also put windshield visors to shield the sun rays.

To the question: few minutes, maybe five.

Last edited by streetracer; Sep 18, 2006 at 02:47 PM.
Reply



All times are GMT -8. The time now is 08:16 PM.