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Why do Japanese cars have such bad AC?

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Main Forum' started by hayden55, Sep 22, 2017.

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  1. hayden55

    hayden55 Member

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    2010 Prius
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    I was looking at the total solar energy reduction of each window with the factory 2010 tint and I found that its actually marginally good (mostly the windshield/hatch being the marginally impressive part to me) already (besides not being dark). With that said heres the numbers I got for the windows that really matter:
    Windshield: 45.0% TSER, 80% VLT (wow not bad.)
    Front Door: 25.3% TSER. 75% VLT (meh.. on side windows)
    Rear Door: 26.4% TSER, 76% VLT
    Hatch Upper: 42% TSER, 74% VLT

    My question is: Is it worth it to put the solar treated tints like 3m crystalline on the already solar treated hatch and windshield, or should I just get a tint that rejects visible light only and a little bit of reflective properties to get that last couple percent? How would 40% crystalline on the hatch, and 70% crystalline perform on the entire windshield? Then for the side windows I will get 40% crystalline since they aren't doing too hot. Also when you stack tints how do they measure out VLT wise, or TSER wise maybe if the math is possible?

    Option1:
    70% crystalline entire windshield, 40% crystalline side windows, 40% crystalline hatch.

    Option2:
    5% color stable brow 5" long, 40% crystalline side windows, 35% color stable hatch.

    http://solutions.3m.com/3MContentRetrievalAPI/BlobServlet?locale=en_WW&lmd=1201707835000&assetId=1180595370317&assetType=MMM_Image&blobAttribute=ImageFile
     
    #21 hayden55, Sep 28, 2017
  2. MelonPrius

    MelonPrius Senior Member

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    I can relate to your post, which is why it's difficult to group the AC for the different Japanese automakers into one clump. In fact, it's difficult to group all of the models of Toyota into one group.

    My problem cars in the hot summer months were a '06 xB (which had a small AC compressor) and a '00 Subaru Forester. But my '96 Camry and '07 Accord had excellent AC. After experiencing my first summer, I'd put my Prius' AC as average at best.

    Overall, I'd put Toyota's AC as the best and most reliable that I've had, for cars in their price range. In fact, AC problems made me pass on the 2nd gen Fits as many owners in the Fit forum (especially 2009) experienced expensive problems. Then again, my '07 Accord has excellent AC, so it's not a Honda issue.
     
    #22 MelonPrius, Sep 28, 2017
  3. vForVictory

    vForVictory Junior Member

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    III
    I think, in eco mode, average is about right. Haven't tried it in power mode though - maybe that would be a more impressive experience.

    I've been in a couple Camrys in recent years and the A/C in those is quite good.
     
    #23 vForVictory, Sep 28, 2017
  4. orenji

    orenji Senior Member

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    Toyota and Lexus have excellent A/C. I agree US cars have some of the best A/C's as well. If you really want to complain try German cars!!! I have had several German cars, Mercedes and BMW who have the worst A/C systems. Next is Mini Which is now owned by BMW.
     
    #24 orenji, Sep 30, 2017
  5. southjerseycraig

    southjerseycraig Active Member

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    I have had Toyotas since 1998. In my view, the AC is fine. It doesn't take more than a few minutes to cool the car. But I must confess I stopped using Eco in the Prius within the first thousand miles. The car just felt too sluggish as compared to my previous Camry. I have the car in neither Eco nor Power Mode, and it seems to drive fine that way. I will agree that the heat is a little slow to get going, but that was true in my Camry, too; and at least with the Prius the fan doesn't start to operate until the system will produce heat.
     
    #25 southjerseycraig, Oct 6, 2017
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