Is my AC going bad or is this normal?

[twotails]

I bought my Sonic new in July 2013, and having lived in a major metro area until just last week, I didn't drive it much. I'm driving it more now that I've moved and I'm sitting at about 7500 miles right now.

Well I noticed today that my AC doesn't work all that well. It's been in the mid 80s to low 90s, and with tinted windows and the cold/hot dial all the way to the farthest Cold point, I have to have the fan dial on 3 for it to be tolerable. 4 makes it closer to being actually comfortable, but I don't like the higher and louder fan speed so I've been keeping it to 3.

I feel like setting it to 2 should be enough to keep it nice and comfortable inside the car at these temperatures, but it has hardly any real impact at all. Am I just expecting too much from my car? Or might there be something wrong?

 

[Sonic Matt]

I have 2013 sonic ls 1.8l auto and I haven't had any trouble with my a/c. Yeah it does get colder while moving but it doesn't blow hot air unless i'm just starting up the car before I get moving. something sounds wrong when you go to the dealer next time ask them if you can check out another sonics a/c system and compare them.

 

[Swordsmith]

It's likely you are low on radiator fluid. And it's also likely this is caused by a leaky water pump. This is a known issue and there is a recall issued to get it replaced for free.

Check your fluid level, if it's low, then I'd give you ten to one it's exactly that. If the radiator isn't low, though, then it's something else.

 

[oldslowchevy]

I have to come to find out with most cars if you run the ac with the windows down for a few minutes it helps to rid the car of excessive heat. Secondly since your car is a few years old now even though you don't have many miles on it have you at least checked the cabin air filter behind the glove box?

 

[4g63gst20]

You should go to a Walmart and get a turkey thermometer.
Then stick it in the AC vent. My sonic can get the temperature down to about 40 degrees.

 

[ChrisJ]

I've never seen a cooking thermometer that goes below 120F?

Anyway,

Several things.

1: On days above 75F use recirculate religiously. A/C on recirculate on. This is important. Recirculate does not work in either defrost mode so do not use them. The recirculate button is the round button next to the A/C button.

2: If you have a manual transmission on hot days like you are describing run a gear lower to keep your engine around 2000-2500rpm. The A/C in the Sonic doesn't do well below 2000rpm on really hot days.

3: As has been said, sitting still it's going to be a little on the warm side but when you're going 30+MPH it should be plenty cold if you follow rules #1 and #2.

Try these and tell us how it is.

 

[ChrisJ]

It's likely you are low on radiator fluid. And it's also likely this is caused by a leaky water pump. This is a known issue and there is a recall issued to get it replaced for free.

Check your fluid level, if it's low, then I'd give you ten to one it's exactly that. If the radiator isn't low, though, then it's something else.

Curious why you feel low coolant would effect A/C performance?

 

[Hawkdsl]

Mine is fine, but then again, I'm not from this planet, and 80-85 degrees, regardless of humidity, is reason enough to open the windows for natural cooling.

Anything below the human 98 degrees body temp, is technically cold weather.

Anyway, a few bucks at the local shop can plug it in and check the R13 levels. And the filter as oldslowchevy mentioned is CRITICAL for a/c function. Without enough air passing through the core, it can actually freeze up (the condensation).

 

[ChrisJ]

Mine is fine, but then again, I'm not from this planet, and 80-85 degrees, regardless of humidity, is reason enough to open the windows for natural cooling.

Anything below the human 98 degrees body temp, is technically cold weather.

Anyway, a few bucks at the local shop can plug it in and check the R13 levels. And the filter as oldslowchevy mentioned is CRITICAL for a/c function. Without enough air passing through the core, it can actually freeze up (the condensation).

Trying to figure out if R13 was a typo or not.

Problem being refrigerant levels are only one of many many issues you can have with a system and the fact you think anything below body temperature is cold. You didn't take into consideration that the human body must dissipate 300-400 btu/h into the air therefore 98 is not "cold" and in fact if the humidity is high could even be deadly under the right conditions.

 

[ChrisJ]

My interior is dusty and needs to be vacuumed, I know, cut me some slack.


These were the temps I saw yesterday and this morning going around 25 mph in traffic. It was cloudy during both and I had been moving for some time so there should be little or no effect from sunlight on the outdoor temperature sensor.

First picture is 95F ambient, blower on #3 and recirculate on showing a vent temp of 44F.

Second picture is 69F ambient, blower on #3 and recirculate on showing a vent temp of 40F.

 

[sonicR]

My a/c runs hot after a carwash

 

[getthebiscuit]

Owned my car for exactly a year now, A/C went out completely last Thursday. Only blows hot air and I live Florida so I'm being ****ing cooked!

 

[Chevrolet Customer Care]

Owned my car for exactly a year now, A/C went out completely last Thursday. Only blows hot air and I live Florida so I'm being ****ing cooked!

Oh no! That's the worst! We would be happy to assist you with anything further if necessary. Feel free to send us a private message along with your VIN, current mileage, contact information and preferred dealership. Looking forward to your response!

Patsy G
Chevrolet Customer Care

 

[WyrTwister]

Check to see if the radiator fan is working properly .

Do these cars have electric off / on clutches on the A/C compressors ? We have had our Sonic about 3 weeks & I have not looked .

If so , is the clutch engaging properly ?

Has anything obstructed air flow through the condensing coil and / or radiator ?

God bless
Wyr

 

[Hawkdsl]

Trying to figure out if R13 was a typo or not.

Problem being refrigerant levels are only one of many many issues you can have with a system and the fact you think anything below body temperature is cold. You didn't take into consideration that the human body must dissipate 300-400 btu/h into the air therefore 98 is not "cold" and in fact if the humidity is high could even be deadly under the right conditions.

R134a... we call it R13 at the company maintenance shop.

I was attempting a joke on my cold nature.. at any rate, if I'm losing 300-400 btu's, it's no wonder i'm cold all the time. For myself, 95+, and 75% humidity.. heaven.


Looking at you temp gauge, 38 to 40 is typical, normal condition.

 

[ChrisJ]

R134a... we call it R13 at the company maintenance shop.

I was attempting a joke on my cold nature.. at any rate, if I'm losing 300-400 btu's, it's no wonder i'm cold all the time. For myself, 95+, and 75% humidity.. heaven.


Looking at you temp gauge, 38 to 40 is typical, normal condition.

That's strange being R-13 is an actual refrigerant.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chlorotrifluoromethane

 

[The Champ]

Seeing as how the OP's car should be under warranty (2013 with only 7500 miles), why not just take it to the dealer and have them figure out what the problem is and get it fixed for free.