General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsBecause of global warming, my next car may be a 6 cylinder.
I know they don't get as good mileage as 4 cylinder--which I have now.
But in hot weather, even in the 90's, even when we aren't experiencing the heat
wave of the century (so far), on a long trip the AC doesn't keep you cool in a 4 cylinder.
I don't do a lot of driving, so for me it's worth the trade-off to have to spend more for gas
in order to have better AC. I live in upstate SC, where we don't have much cold weather any more. In fact, last year winter was cancelled.
hobbit709
(41,694 posts)It blew cold air that you could see coming out the vents. It's a 4 cylinder. As soon as I get a couple of other things done, I got someone who will convert it to R134 and a new compressor for about $500.
Betcha it gets a lot hotter here.
Turbineguy
(37,208 posts)hobbit709
(41,694 posts)The compressor alone is $200.
Ter
(4,281 posts)That's $200 too much.
hobbit709
(41,694 posts)permatex
(1,299 posts)with factory stock A/C. Cost me just under $100.00 to convert to R-134A and now blows ice cold. Of course I don't drive it too much as the 428 Super CobraJet engine only gets about 10-12 mpg. For my daily driver I have a 1999 Ford Explorer with the 4.0L 6 cyl. engine, gets about 23-25 mpg and my wife has a 2012 Acura which gets great mileage.
Fawke Em
(11,366 posts)chattering-teeth-icebox-freaking cold.
I LOVE Ford A/C in the summer.
permatex
(1,299 posts)and replace it with the newer rotary comp. It is designed to bolt up using all the original equipment, it uses much less hp. than the York comp. Gonna cost appox. $300.00 for the new comp. but it will be a tad bit easier on the mpg which is a good thing.
Warren Stupidity
(48,181 posts)I've been driving 4 cylinder cars for 30 years and I've never had any problem with the AC on any of the 5 or so cars I've owned.
raccoon
(31,091 posts)with the AC once it gets in the 90's, and some friends & family say the same.
Maybe humidity enters into it. Maybe the model of the vehicle....
hobbit709
(41,694 posts)you need to get your AC checked.
Turbineguy
(37,208 posts)A leak somewhere?
Shankapotomus
(4,840 posts)for a special dispensation for that. Please consult the nearest DU regular for the application form.
RC
(25,592 posts)Maybe you should have it serviced?
ananda
(28,783 posts)nt
snooper2
(30,151 posts)You can have a V8 with a poorly designed A/C system and a 4 banger that blows ice cold all the time....
Junkdrawer
(27,993 posts)I did. 35 bucks, 5 minutes, much better. And if you save the hose and gauge, next time it's 10 bucks. (first recharge for 5 years, don't plan to be back too often.)
enlightenment
(8,830 posts)I have a four cylinder Scion XD (2008) that gets great mileage and keeps me cool in Las Vegas' almost constant heat. Granted, ours is a dry heat - not sure how much of an impact humidity has on the AC in a car.
I know it's not 'made in America' but it is a decent auto and didn't cost a small fortune.
etherealtruth
(22,165 posts)My four cylinder Focus gets phenomenal gas mileage and the AC is super cooling ... my car prior to this was a Hyundai Sonata .... 4- cylinder, good gas mileage and good cooling (and heating... I am in Michigan)
Turbineguy
(37,208 posts)I do a little calculation in my engineering class and it takes 4 times as much energy to cool in 80 deg F Mississippi as it does in 105 deg F Arizona.
enlightenment
(8,830 posts)I have learned something new today. Thank you!
HooptieWagon
(17,064 posts)Probably use identical AC compressers. If yours isnt cooling, then something is wrong.
NutmegYankee
(16,177 posts)Either engine can run an AC compressor at idle, when the engine has the least power. What drives the AC cooling is the size of the compressor, evaporator and condenser. I suggest you look at another 4 cylinder car. I've driven plenty with excellent AC systems.
Motown_Johnny
(22,308 posts)the size of the engine has nothing to do with your AC
SoutherDem
(2,307 posts)I never noticed any difference in the performance of the AC. Several did have an econ mode which I could choose to allow the AC to turn off to save gas when going up hill, but it econ was off I did not have problem. My 3 cylinder Smart's AC can freeze you out.
MadHound
(34,179 posts)Following weeks in the nineties, and yet both my Honda and Nissan four cylinders are continuing to crank out the AC. Nor have I ever had a weak AC on any other four cylinder that I've owned or driven. You see, it isn't the number of cylinders that determines AC quality, but rather the quality of the AC unit itself and how well it has been maintained. If you have a quality unit to begin with, keep it maintained properly, it should keep you chilly in the most hot of days for a long time.
Perhaps your current AC unit is having problems, needs to be recharged with freon, needs a new clutch, has a leak, etc. Take it in and get it looked at by a qualified mechanic and see what they think. But don't let these AC problems dissuade you from buying a four cylinder in the future.
Mika
(17,751 posts)RedRocco
(454 posts)had AC cold enough to run you out. (1.8l 4 cylinder)
FarCenter
(19,429 posts)Rather than a manufacturer that produces 4-cylinder cars as an option, but which would rather sell you a 6-cylinder car that they make lots more of at a higher profit margin.
Some manufacturers regard 4-cylinders as a mainstream, high-quality product.
Others regard 4-cylinders as something to be put into cheap, low-quality cars for young buyers who can't afford their larger, more expensive models.
AllyCat
(16,035 posts)Don't travel full more than twice a week and until this year, it doesn't get that hot in WI. But the A/C is cold!
RebelOne
(30,947 posts)that was fully loaded and when the A/C was running it had no pick up all. Gas mileage was great, but driving on I-75 here in North Georgia is a bitch with a car that is sluggish.
FarCenter
(19,429 posts)Especially when they were making the Cadillac Cimmaron. It was a Nova with upgraded upholstry and trim. Sucked big time.
1monster
(11,012 posts)leave the A/C off and drive with the windows open... That is a personal preference, but it saves me money (gas milage is better unless you are doing 55 mph or more) and heck, it takes the A/C five to ten minutes to cool off enough to use it anyway.
RebelOne
(30,947 posts)joshcryer
(62,265 posts)If it doesn't it probably needs refrigerant. You can recharge it yourself, turn the AC on, look for a pipe with a blue cap on it, feel close to it (don't touch), if it's not radiating heat touch it, if it's cold, that's the pipe. Follow the instructions on one of the recharging kits.
1monster
(11,012 posts)refrigerant, but I still wouldn't use it, so it would be a useless expense for me.
My kid hates the A/C too. We both get allergy problems in any car with A/C running.
joshcryer
(62,265 posts)...that they use recirculate on the AC setting. Most ACs default to drawing in outside air, I have always used recirculate because 1) is allows the fans to blow harder and 2) you're not sucking in all that soot and car pollution that's out there.
But yeah, it's weird, as far as AC I only use it when it's super sunny. If it's cloud it's not necessary. I actually enjoy the heat. I have a bigger problem with cold.
Agony
(2,605 posts)is to look at getting a car with a 5 cylinder engine because they have the optimal balance between raw AC power and good gas mileage.
global warming sez so. . .
snooper2
(30,151 posts)Or any number of Audis that came with 5 cylinder engines
Agony
(2,605 posts)flvegan
(64,389 posts)Thankfully.
ellenfl
(8,660 posts)raouldukelives
(5,178 posts)HopeHoops
(47,675 posts)I've never liked 4-bangers. No power when you need it.
bongbong
(5,436 posts)My 4-banger will do close to 160, but it's turbocharged.
HopeHoops
(47,675 posts)Lex
(34,108 posts)It cools down really quick and keeps it cool. You might want to check to see what's wrong with your A/C.
DCBob
(24,689 posts)Seems that will just make matters worse regarding GW. Not being critical because I know the reality of driving in heat but it seems we are just giving up on trying to solve the problem.
FTR, I have 6 cylinder SUV so Im part of the problem too. However, I am planning to get a hybrid for my next vehicle when I can afford it.
Stay cool!
spanone
(135,635 posts)i live in the south
boppers
(16,588 posts)Hint: One has nothing to do with the other.
Honeycombe8
(37,648 posts)Any Ford of any cylinder will have an AWESOME a/c.
A Honda of any cylinder will at most have an OKAY a/c.
I think you're placing too much emphasis on one thing, and generalizing out to other makes what your experience has been with some other makes. Cars are very different, now. I do know that the COMPRESSOR makes a big difference.
DiverDave
(4,874 posts)The direct injection in 6 and 4 cylinder motors is phenomenal!
4's that have as much HP as 6's and 6's that have MORE then 8's.
Direct injection is a huge leap in HP and lower emissions.
Dont know about air conditioning tho...