Does car Air Con vary in hotter climates?
Discussion
BrownBottle said:
Do any manufacturers stand out as using better quality systems than others, or are they all roughly the same?
"Better" is a very subjective and ambiguous term. One manufacturer may concentrate on one parameter, but since most engineering is a compromise (particularly true for mass production vehicles), there is normally a trade-off. One OE for example (who will remain nameless) targets best in class airflow and pull-down (time to reach a comfort level after a thermal soak). The converse of trying to achieve that is they typical suffer in consumer clinics for air rush noise. Some OE will source the components (HVAC, compressor, condenser, AC lines) themselves and then engineer the system, others will source the system as a whole - we supply to both types. Typically those that source as a system end up with less issues as a result of the supplier having a better understanding of the parts that go into said system than an OE trying to mix and match parts.In an effort to make a "better" system however, the requirements for climate systems and HVAC modules are extremely detailed, and are typically well over 1000 pages once all the testing requirements and vehicle interactions have been considered.
gsuk1 said:
Yes. In a word.
If a cars going to a hot country, they have a very powerful AC and lame heater. Likewise if a car is going to a cold country it'll have a powerful heater and almost no AC.
What about the cars going to countries that are both hot and cold in different areas?.If a cars going to a hot country, they have a very powerful AC and lame heater. Likewise if a car is going to a cold country it'll have a powerful heater and almost no AC.
Do they get powerful AC and powerful heater...or lame AC and lame heater?.
Depends on the car, but typically in really hot climates (GCC, Central America etc) we will spec higher performance cooling systems which naturally then improve the AC performance...but typically that is only to the same spec you would receive in Europe or North America.
PS: North America is classed as a 'normal temperature market' so typically gets the exact same stuff we do in Europe.
PS: North America is classed as a 'normal temperature market' so typically gets the exact same stuff we do in Europe.
The "normal temperature" USA market has temperature extremes from 50c to -50c (or more) and it can have both those temps within the same state.
Would US (and European) market cars get extra cooling or extra heating?.
Just trying to determine whether the hire car the OP drove would have benefited from extra aircon capacity or not.
Would US (and European) market cars get extra cooling or extra heating?.
Just trying to determine whether the hire car the OP drove would have benefited from extra aircon capacity or not.
Cerbieherts said:
mattshiz said:
I think it can vary region to region. Different countries have different laws on what gases can be used in air con systems.
No they don't.The simple reason is that it feels more effective when the ambient temps are higher.
HTP99 said:
Yes different countries have different spec A/C; the manufacturer that I work for if you tap in the chassis number or reg number into their system it will come up with the full spec breakdown of that car including which region A/C system is fitted.
I love it when people spout nonsense in the pub/online with enough conviction to not only convince others, but also themselves. Then get put right by someone who actually has some experience.Edited by HTP99 on Monday 21st July 09:33
matthias73 said:
I love it when people spout nonsense in the pub/online with enough conviction to not only convince others, but also themselves. Then get put right by someone who actually has some experience.
I think you need to re-read the post. They have regional differences NOT DIFFERENT REFRIDGERANT...so perhaps you should examine your own lack of conviction before spouting off?matthias73 said:
I love it when people spout nonsense in the pub/online with enough conviction to not only convince others, but also themselves. Then get put right by someone who actually has some experience.
This thread is unfortunately full of misinformation, I have already tried to point that out, but appreciate that I am wasting my time. I just have to laugh at some of the things that are being stated with absolute conviction by people with no actual knowledge, why do they do it? It benefits no one and eventually everyone will realise. 
OP here. Here is the question, in a nutshell and as specific as I can make it. If I buy a BMW 730d SE ( or similar) in London from an authorised dealer, will it or will it not, as standard have the same air con system as the BMW 730d SE ( or similar ) I buy from an authorised dealer in Abu Dhabi?
Thankyou4calling said:
OP here. Here is the question, in a nutshell and as specific as I can make it. If I buy a BMW 730d SE ( or similar) in London from an authorised dealer, will it or will it not, as standard have the same air con system as the BMW 730d SE ( or similar ) I buy from an authorised dealer in Abu Dhabi?
That's very easy to find out. Go to www.realoem.com and look up the part No.s.bottledatsource said:
AdeTuono said:
And
a) Aircon definitely needs servicing
and
b) Aircon definitely doesn't need servicing
I don't think anyone has said if your aircon works then service it, just if it doesn't then try a service.a) Aircon definitely needs servicing
and
b) Aircon definitely doesn't need servicing
BTW; 3 posts? You'll soon get the hang of PH. Possibly.
Often the difference is actually in the glass spec. Hotter/sunnier climates have higher solar reflectivity glass fitted.
In most modern cars with large areas of glass, and often glass roofs, the solar loadings into the cabin are huge, if you reduce the solar loading then typically the a/c will have less work to do hence it probably feels 'better'. Glass coating tends to be a fair whack cheaper than territory unique HVACs as well!!
In most modern cars with large areas of glass, and often glass roofs, the solar loadings into the cabin are huge, if you reduce the solar loading then typically the a/c will have less work to do hence it probably feels 'better'. Glass coating tends to be a fair whack cheaper than territory unique HVACs as well!!
redtwin said:
The "normal temperature" USA market has temperature extremes from 50c to -50c (or more) and it can have both those temps within the same state.
Would US (and European) market cars get extra cooling or extra heating?.
Just trying to determine whether the hire car the OP drove would have benefited from extra aircon capacity or not.
-50C? Not quite...Would US (and European) market cars get extra cooling or extra heating?.
Just trying to determine whether the hire car the OP drove would have benefited from extra aircon capacity or not.
No, US vehicles typically have the exact same climate systems.
My take on this.
Climate control is a closed loop system where the temperature of the cabin is fed back to the system to regulate temperature of air, speed of blower motors and where to blow the air. These systems seem to try and be unobtrusive in operation i.e. They do not blow ice cold air at full blast until required cabin temp is reached then almost switch off. Therefore, sometimes they appear to be a bit 'weak'.
Manual air conditioning just obeys the input and provides air at the temp required, where required at the speed required. Can seem quite strong.
Test : If you have climate control switch it to 'LO' or 'Max' or whatever the particular flavour of your car, set both distribution and blower speed manually and see if it makes a difference? It does in my cars!
Climate control is a closed loop system where the temperature of the cabin is fed back to the system to regulate temperature of air, speed of blower motors and where to blow the air. These systems seem to try and be unobtrusive in operation i.e. They do not blow ice cold air at full blast until required cabin temp is reached then almost switch off. Therefore, sometimes they appear to be a bit 'weak'.
Manual air conditioning just obeys the input and provides air at the temp required, where required at the speed required. Can seem quite strong.
Test : If you have climate control switch it to 'LO' or 'Max' or whatever the particular flavour of your car, set both distribution and blower speed manually and see if it makes a difference? It does in my cars!
Garvin said:
Test : If you have climate control switch it to 'LO' or 'Max' or whatever the particular flavour of your car, set both distribution and blower speed manually and see if it makes a difference? It does in my cars!
A/C Max or equivalent flavour dependent on OE will also invoke recirc strategy whereby the inlet air is coming from the interior rather than exterior of the car. Pulling the pre-cooled air into the unit rather than the hot ambient air outside the vehicle speeds up the pull-down process. Recirc mode simply moves a door in the inlet to block off the external opening. Occupants will hear an audible difference as the blower fan is now open to the interior and is typically rotating at 3500-4000rpm.GroundEffect said:
redtwin said:
The "normal temperature" USA market has temperature extremes from 50c to -50c (or more) and it can have both those temps within the same state.
Would US (and European) market cars get extra cooling or extra heating?.
Just trying to determine whether the hire car the OP drove would have benefited from extra aircon capacity or not.
-50C? Not quite...Would US (and European) market cars get extra cooling or extra heating?.
Just trying to determine whether the hire car the OP drove would have benefited from extra aircon capacity or not.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/U.S._state_temperatur...
I can understand increased engine cooling (larger radiator etc) for primarily hot climates, but still waiting for someone to produce different part numbers for compressor and/or increased pressure fill rates which would indicate increased air conditioning capacity for different markets of the same model car.
I have had a look on RealOEM for BMWs as I am familiar with that part number system, but they only show Europe and US market cars and the air con part numbers are the same for both as already mentioned earlier.
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