[Leader(in L.A.)]

We've had our X three months now and both my wife and I love the car (so do the dogs!). It's roomy, comfortable, quiet, and we much prefer it to the ML-320 it replaced.
But...I have a gripe that is probably only going to get worse as winter changes into spring: the Auto Air Conditioning is nuts!!
As I understand the system, there are two sensors for the AC - a cabin temp quantifier on the lower dash (below and to the right of the ignition) and a "sun sensor" at the base of the windshield (center).
When the sun is shining, my AC blows ice-cold air at a loud velocity and keeps doing so until well past the time the passengers have cooled off. So, I reach up and adjust the temp up to calm the system down a bit.
My point is - Auto AC as I understand it is: you set the temperature at 75-78 and you leave it there. In the X, I'm constantly moving the temp up or down, just to "force" the AC to do what I want without it turning into a dashboard "Perfect Storm."
Anybody else having this experience?
Or am I nit picking?
Honestly, my Lexus AC is literally "set it and forget it."

 

[Naimdxer]

Hmm.....

Sounds strange. I have had my temp set at 22C ( i have no idea what that is in F) since the day I picked it up. ( haven't touched either the blue or the red buttons since then) Like you say , mine has behaved truly as a " set and forget " feature through a Hot summer, Moderate fall, and freezing winter.

Get the dealer to look at it when you take it in next. Try covering the sun sensor also and see if the rapid cold air stops. It may be whacked out and overly sensitive or something.

Good Luck

 

[TYP]

HI..

FROM WHAT I KNOW..THE AUTO A/C WORK THIS WAY..

IT TAKES THE 2 READINGS FROM THE SENCORS.. AND GET THE
AVG. OF THE 2.. AND BLOW A/C OR HEAT TILL THE READINGS
MATCHES WHAT YOU CHOSE TO..

SO WHEN THE DRIVERSIDE AND THE FRONT ARE ALL IN SUNLIGHT..

IT GETS HOT ON BOTH SENCORS.. IT DOES BLOW A/C CRAZY..

BUT REALY DOES THAT HAPPEN TO ME IN LA..

I AM NOT SURE ABOUT YOUR CASE..

AND THE SUN SENCOR.. IS A LIGHT SENCOR THAT IF YOU FORGOT TO
TURN UR HEAD LIGHT OFF WHEN YOUR KEY LEAVE YOUR CAR..
IT WILL SHOT IT OFF AUTOMATICALY.

TYP'S 2¢

 

[ajlee7]

try this link for more info

http://www.acuramdx.org/forums/showthread.php?threadid=1608&

 

[Leader(in L.A.)]

Apparently others are confused, too.

ajlee7 - thanks for the "link" to the prior discussion on the Auto AC. I read through the thread and it just proves that other owners are confused about the Auto AC's operation, too. While that makes me feel better, it doesn't really address the problem. I will definitely ask my Service Rep to check if my AC is operating properly next time I'm in for service. In the meantime, I'll just ride herd over it by movin' the temp up and down - manually!

 

[conradsmith]

Full Auto works for me

Like naimdxer I set my temp (at 70F) right after we got it and have hardly touched it since. Of course, we haven't had too wide a range of temps in the last 2 months (30-80F), but it is always comfortable to me. The only time I touched the 'up/down' was when I got in after working up a sweat. Big Red (my MDX) thought the temp was fine, but I wanted some air blowing in my face, so I toggled it down a little. I discovered (for those who want 'MAX') that going to the low (or high) end of the range puts the system in 'full cool' or 'full heat' with max fan speed.

As others have said touching any of the ventilation buttons (on the non-nav system) puts the system into Auto (vs. Full Auto) with the element you 'controlled' now set to your choice (on/off, mode, speed, etc.).

I was dubious about auto AC after having a bad experience on auto ventilation on an MB190; however, I've been very happy with the way the MDX handles the environment and I find that I don't miss fiddling with the controls as much as I expected to. In particular I'm pleased to note that it keeps the fan speed low on a cold day until the engine has warmed up enough to provide heat through the vents.

The only change I would make would be to have the Fan control (and I guess the other 2 also) come 'on' in its current state and let you adjust from there. No matter what Full Auto is doing, the Fan speed always comes on at its lowest setting. In fact, it would be interesting if the display always showed what Full Auto was doing, although this would make it less obvious whether you had overridden a setting.
- Conrad

 

[MrPrescott]

I haven't had to play with my auto temp setting much. However, I HAVE noticed that it is set 2-3 degrees lower than my Maxima's climate control. Perhaps this is due to the sun sensor (the Max doesn't have one) reading the car warmer than actual.

 

[kinmanc]

The way I see it, we need two temperature settings, once for A/C, and the other for heating. That's how we heat/cool our houses, why not our X'es?

At this time of the year in bay area, it's cold in the morning, so I have the temperature set at 68 to avoid too much fan noises. But when I start my X in the afternoon, A/C would be on full blast, and I have to adjust the setting to 74 to avoid it. I am very comfortable with the temperature in this range, so it can be set this way, I'll never have to touch those red and blue buttons.

Does this make sense?

 

[davegood]

have the same problem

I have the same problem.

I can part in the sun on a 40 degree day, get into a cold car, and have it blow air conditioning on me.

Wierd. I normally have it set at 71.

 

[Loose Cannon]

I think part of the problem is the red and blue buttons are the only ones easily used. With Navi you have to switch screens and then hit the fan button. I also use the temp control more than I would like to control the fan.

 

[hopper]

I just set it and forget it.

The auto temp cntrl works great on my MDX. I just wish I could get instant heat. It takes 1/2 mile or more for the heat to blast in the morning. Also wish there wer more vents for the second row.

 

[MesaBeige]

Set and Forget

Leader,

MY MDX is now 15 months old and I have never had the problem you are. I think I have adjusted it twice since I have had it. I live in North Carolina and it got very sunny and hot this past summer - no problem.

I would have it checked out by the dealership.

Good luck

MB-

 

[Leader(in L.A.)]

Thanks everyone!

Thanks everyone for your responses. It sounds like my Auto AC definitely has "a mind of its own." At my first service I'll see if my dealer can perform a lobotomy. Having a Black on Black MDX on the L.A. Freeways this summer with a looney AC won't be good. Of course, I'm the guy who bought a Black on Black MDX in Los Angeles...so, maybe I'm the crazy one!

 

[dbarry]

Could TIM (or someone at another Dealer) please tell us if there are any (newer) service bulletins on the A/C??

 

[RedMdxMemphis]

No problem from mine

I rarely have to adjust the temp. I set it to 65 and forget it. Well, when my wife comes sits on the passenger, she will get it to 72 degrees.. then all the passengers begines to be toasted.

My only observation is that when you have a full load of passengers, the full auto will not work as well for the back seat passengers. The 2nd unit manual will be best for them. Other than that, I have no complaints what-so-ever.

 

[TheWorm]

Could TIM (or someone at another Dealer) please tell us if there are any (newer) service bulletins on the A/C??

There are no service bulletins on the AC for '01 or '02. Tim and I are actually working right now on scanning and posting the latest batch (well, the relevant ones at least).