Air conditioner

[RoddyBaker]

AC is erratic. If I leave it at 72 deg sometimes it is OK
IE. Sometimes we have to adjust it down to 65 to get it to blow cold

we are accustomed to being able to leave setting at 72 & not touh it in other cars

$95000 car and we have to constantly adjust temp setting as outside temp varies..

anyone have issue or suggestion??

 

[SSedan]

I have noticed a similar thing and largely chalk it up to solar load and such. I just set the right thumb wheel to temp and it is really easy to change based on what I feel is comfortable that drive.

 

[Ostrichsak]

AC is erratic. If I leave it at 72 deg sometimes it is OK
IE. Sometimes we have to adjust it down to 65 to get it to blow cold

we are accustomed to being able to leave setting at 72 & not touh it in other cars

$95000 car and we have to constantly adjust temp setting as outside temp varies..

anyone have issue or suggestion??

I agree. We've had 5 different Model S now and they're all the same way. In other cars we've owned you can set the temp to your liking (even if it's off from one car to another by a degree or two... relativity remains the same) and never touch it again knowing the car will do whatever adjustments needed to keep it close to that figure. I feel like the Tesla temps swing wildly and you're forced to toggle between 65 degrees on warmer days and 75 on colder days just to get the system to "wake up" and actually adjust the settings to achieve the desired temperature... even if that's right in the middle at 70.

It's like other cars work to keep it +/-1 degree of your set temp and Tesla says +/-5 (or probably even more) is good enough.... deal with it. Most thermostats (even cheap ones) these days give you the ability to adjust this offset as a basic function. I wish we had this ability in a Tesla as I'm sure they favor a wider range for better economy but I'm not trying to run the bleeding edge of range every time I drive the car. That's a rare occurrence and even if I do that's what the "range mode" option is for. I don't even need a separate setting... to simplify things just tighten up that offset by default and then increase it (along with all of the other nerfs) in range mode.

The older Model S the lower the insulation value and the more of a problem this is if you live in an area with wide temperature swings throughout the year. I'm sure these are issues that the bulk of the the brass in Southern California doesn't have to deal with daily though. I feel like they've lost touch with the rest of the country with a lot of these sorts of settings.

 

[kindred7]

There are two insulation seals in the front wheel wells (closest to the cabin). To get to them you need to remove the front tires and the liner as well. Make sure that the insulation foam is set properly.

If they are not you could see erratic HVAC performance when driving. This was a concern for me in colder climates. I suppose it might be for warmer as well... maybe.

Edit: I recall reading about the temperature sensor too which can have problems, it's located in the center console if I recall. Try and see if you can find it on the forum.

 

[David29]

One other tip: Be sure nothing is blocking the temp sensor. Early on, I found that something like a hat or a pair of gloves (or these days, maybe a mask) could be placed on the console and end up blocking some of the air flow to the sensor. Removing whatever it was, i was amazed at the sudden change in temperature.
I do not have a handy photo, but the sensor is behind a circular area on the low, front face of the rear part of the console (the part just below the arm rest and the cup holders) that has about a dozen holes. I believe this is true with both the new style and the old style center consoles. So try not to place any objects, especially soft ones (fabric) on top of the console where it can block those air holes.

 

[Ostrichsak]

One other tip: Be sure nothing is blocking the temp sensor. Early on, I found that something like a hat or a pair of gloves (or these days, maybe a mask) could be placed on the console and end up blocking some of the air flow to the sensor. Removing whatever it was, i was amazed at the sudden change in temperature.
I do not have a handy photo, but the sensor is behind a circular area on the low, front face of the rear part of the console (the part just below the arm rest and the cup holders) that has about a dozen holes. I believe this is true with both the new style and the old style center consoles. So try not to place any objects, especially soft ones (fabric) on top of the console where it can block those air holes.

I can't speak on behalf of the OP but in my case in all of my Model S's I've been aware of this sensor and kept it well clear of any objects that may affect airflow or temperature. I don't even place my phone in that area so that the slight warmth it gives off can't be blamed since those sensors can be quite sensitive to temp changes that are concentrated and nearby. Same lackluster performance of HVAC across all cars.

 

[BigNick]

I can't speak on behalf of the OP but in my case in all of my Model S's I've been aware of this sensor and kept it well clear of any objects that may affect airflow or temperature. I don't even place my phone in that area so that the slight warmth it gives off can't be blamed since those sensors can be quite sensitive to temp changes that are concentrated and nearby. Same lackluster performance of HVAC across all cars.

I think it started when V9's neutered HVAC controls were introduced.

 

[random155]

I just set it to high in the winter and low in the summer and adjust fan speed. I gave up on a specific degree.

 

[Ostrichsak]

I just set it to high in the winter and low in the summer and adjust fan speed. I gave up on a specific degree.

Kind of negates Automatic Climate Control as a feature. I get the band-aid workaround but Tesla just needs to make this work better. What amazes me is some of the hurdles they've overcome through technological marvels and yet the basics like HVAC temperature control, Bluetooth phone connectivity/control and auto rain sensing wipers still leave them dumbfounded a decade later.

 

[ladysbff]

Kind of negates Automatic Climate Control as a feature. I get the band-aid workaround but Tesla just needs to make this work better. What amazes me is some of the hurdles they've overcome through technological marvels and yet the basics like HVAC temperature control, Bluetooth phone connectivity/control and auto rain sensing wipers still leave them dumbfounded a decade later.

Different model but my 2018 3 has gotten much worse in regards to temperature control lately. I wasn't aware of the sensor or its location in the cabin but nothing has changed about my interior set up. It really doesn't make sense for Tesla.

I find myself playing around with manual settings more often lately. This wasn't an issue the last two winters. Also the lag time between unlocking/opening the driver's door and the HVAC kicking in has gotten longer and more sporadic recently.

 

[dannycamps]

Also keep in mind that setting Range Mode to 'on' will impact the interior temp heating/cooling ability to a degree (pun intended).

 

[random155]

Kind of negates Automatic Climate Control as a feature. I get the band-aid workaround but Tesla just needs to make this work better. What amazes me is some of the hurdles they've overcome through technological marvels and yet the basics like HVAC temperature control, Bluetooth phone connectivity/control and auto rain sensing wipers still leave them dumbfounded a decade later.

And how about closing the frunk... RIDICULOUS!