The truth about Edge A/C

[CopperCarolinaEdge]

We've had several 95 degree days in Atlanta with no problems. When the outside air is 90 or above you should definitely use recirculate.

 

We've never had to keep the fans on high more than 5 or 10 minutes even on the hottest days.

 

Thanks for pointing that out akirby. That is something I missed mentioning when I posted earlier about no issues in NE GA. I always run the unit on recirculate.

[MKX2007]

OK. That rules out that source.

 

I have the towing package & the cooling could be much better in my opinion.

[MKX2007]

We've had several 95 degree days in Atlanta with no problems. When the outside air is 90 or above you should definitely use recirculate.

 

We've never had to keep the fans on high more than 5 or 10 minutes even on the hottest days.

 

I'm wondering if there is a sensor that tells the system when to run colder? I know that when Chrysler came out with the Autotemp in the late 60's, there was a sensor behind the dash to regulate the output. I've noticed a couple of times that the air started to get cooler very suddenly after having to apply the brakes quickly, then accelerating rapidly.

[djust]

We have had several days over 100 degrees this summer and our cools just fine.

No problems what so ever.

[solas989]

We had the hottest day here so far 95F with 80%+ humidity. We went to an outside dog charitable event and our Edge sat in the direct sun from ~1PM to ~4PM (not a bloody tree to found).

 

I used my sun shield and cracked the windows during this time (BAMR remained closed to block sun).

 

Upon re-entry with 4 adult humans hot and sweaty from being outside with no shade and 3 dogs (70lbs, 40lbs and 20lbs) panting away tired from all the walking, we were cool within 10-15 minutes (well the humans were, the dogs I assumed were since they were all sleeping in the back). I vented the Edge while loading the dogs (~3 minutes). I used recirculate mode to do the initial cooling and moved over to normal after that.

 

The drive on the way home was country roads (stop signs), then city (ston n go lights), then highway for a total time of ~30 minutes.

 

I did not notice it struggling, it cooled just great with 4 hot humans and 3 hot dogs (mmmm hot dogs...).

 

Just an update and more information to the situation.

[Jaak in TO]

I open the BAMR to vent position and dial in the auto temp. Also set it to recirculate as well. It gets cold within 10 to 15 minutes ....

 

It helps to open a window a slight crack (if no BAMER) as the air flow will be greater ... without it open, it's like trying to blow into a paper bag. Vety little air flow after a minute ... there has to be a good airflow to maintain coolness!!!

[matthewgerber]

This might sound stupid, but I assumed that this was a "climate control unit" more than what I would typically consider an automotive "air-conditioner". I noticed right away that there wasn't a total blast of frigid air assaulting me from the vents, and thought it odd. However, even on the way home from the dealer (+/- 30 min) I found the interior temperature nice and steady...actually kind of a nice change from always fiddling with the controls to get it "just right".

 

I've never been in a BMW or Mercedes or the like...do they blast air out at high volume?

 

I do know that on trips, my kids are ALWAYS complaining about it being too cold in the back seat. I usually keep the system between 65° (hot weather) and 68° (moderate weather). The car always seems to be a pleasant temperature. I think the quiet volume of the system is great for my phone's bluetooth headset, too.

 

That's my experience with it anyway.

 

(2007 AWD SEL w/towing, in Central Callifornia)

Edited August 26, 2008 by matthewgerber

[MKX2007]

I found what most of the issue was with mine. I brought it in to the dealer & told them it wasn't cooling sufficiently & was blowing out dust when it starts up.There is always dust all over the face of the dash & on the middle of the rear seat. They checked it & stated it pulled down to 45 degrees & no dust. Over the weekend, I figured out how the cabin air filter is removed. I checked it & it was plugged solid with debris. Its a wonder any air passed though it. I specifically asked the service rep if they checked that & he said they did. I like my dealership but now, I feel a little bit of mis trust. I guess that I'm not surprised that they can't find the transmission problem either.

I'm not going to name the dealership at this time, since a board member works there. I'll give them the benefit of doubt.

[carbonedge+]

I find it interesting the number of folks that don't use the recirculate feature or use it initially then turn it off. Anytime I turn on the AC, I hit Auto, then the recirculate button for 2 reasons: a) by recirculating, your cooling air that has already been cooled (much more efficient and effective than continuously cooling down outside air); and 2) I can't stand smelling the diesel ahead of me while sitting in traffic (usually a bus) or the guy/gal sucking butt on a cancer stick (I hate the smell of cigarettes).

 

If you're not using the recirculate feature, it's definitely going to take it longer to cool off. I live in the Atlanta area as well and agree, vent the BAMR or crack a window intially, and with the recirc on, after about 10 minutes, I'm bumping the temp up from 60-65 to 70-72 to keep from freezing.

 

As for the direct air flow/volume, it cools off so easily to me, I don't even think about it not blowing directly on me. My '97 Explorer would blow directly on me, but the Edge cools much better.

Edited August 29, 2008 by carbonedge+

[Williston]

If your Edge has the auto climate control system and it is set to "auto", it will automatically select "recirc" mode on it's own if it decides the conditions warrant it. (i.e.: the car interior and outside air is hot enough.) On my Edge, this is almost every time it has been sitting out in the sun. After 5-10 minutes you can hear it switch to outside air: the blower noise drops considerably and the air volume drops slightly as well. Sometimes I will select re-circ again after it changes over to outside air if I want it to cool down to the set temp faster.

[rboe]

We live in Phoenix and I'd like better flow control and cooler air. I get a white dust coming from the vents from time to time too. That is a bit annoying. The system seems to do fine till around a 100 degrees. Past a hundred I'd like a system with more poop.

 

While we're on the subject, a quieter fan would be nice too; especially when it is on high.

 

Satisfaction with the cooling could be personal preference too, my wife is much happier with warmer temps; I prefer a much cooler car - and house for that matter.

[DJ Nap]

This might sound stupid, but I assumed that this was a "climate control unit" more than what I would typically consider an automotive "air-conditioner". I noticed right away that there wasn't a total blast of frigid air assaulting me from the vents, and thought it odd. However, even on the way home from the dealer (+/- 30 min) I found the interior temperature nice and steady...actually kind of a nice change from always fiddling with the controls to get it "just right".

 

I've never been in a BMW or Mercedes or the like...do they blast air out at high volume?

 

I do know that on trips, my kids are ALWAYS complaining about it being too cold in the back seat. I usually keep the system between 65° (hot weather) and 68° (moderate weather). The car always seems to be a pleasant temperature. I think the quiet volume of the system is great for my phone's bluetooth headset, too.

 

That's my experience with it anyway.

 

(2007 AWD SEL w/towing, in Central Callifornia)

 

In my own experience owning and operating a mobile detailing biz here in FL, I have been in thousands and thousands of cars...from Kia Rios to Rolls Royces. A BMW's blower (at least in the 645 ci coupe and 745iL sedan) will blow your glasses off. It takes a sec for the computer to tell it to come on, but the air gets cool very quickly and blows fast (and loud). The only issue I have with the Edge's A/C is that it doesn't hit me in the face, unless I am "pimpin"

[BlazedUp]

Replace the cabin air filter Edited March 11, 2009 by BlazedUp

[mkasda]

OK. That rules out that source. to.

-----------------------------------------------

new york escort asian

[Rugger]

I too was a little disapointed in the flow of air from the AC. The vents are large and move as much air as any other model with smaller vents. Smaller vents make it seem as if they are moving more air.

 

The key is keeping the air filter clean and free of dust that may restrict air flow.

 

I really wish they had made the rear windows with the power to vent.

[taurus2000]

I just bought my Edge yesterday (2007 SEL) and can say that the AC was blowing very softly at full blast/barely (if at all) cooled the car (I got them to drop the price $2k for the "AC" issue). I replaced the cabin air filter today and it is working great now.

[johnsix54]

Mine is fantastic thus far. Plenty of flow, plenty cool...in fact very quickly after startup (5 mins) I am adjusting it so it is not so cold. I live in Utah and the summers are between 85 and 100, so far it's been in the low 90's with no probs at all. :beerchug:

[NoBackUp]

Its fixed guys..

 

here the Average temp in Dubai is 44C (112F) and +65% Humidity.. on my 2009 Limited no issues, even when parked in the sun for a couple of hours... open the windows get it to blow in the foot well, after a few mins close the windows put it to 16C (61F), open the Glove compartment, put it on circulate (Air is drawn in from the cabin via the Glove Compartment) after about 5 mins close the Glove Compartment and set to full Auto.... done deal.. they fixed this on the 2009 model I had a 2008 before and it never really did handle the heat here well, (made for the low temps :yup: in the states I guess), but this is a keeper... well until the 2011 model comes along ...

[jamers1]

I have a '08 Edge and an '08 Fusion. I'd have to turn the Edge fan speed up to about Level 3 to equal the same air flow push that the Fusion has on Level 1. I too have replaced my air filter and it didn't make much difference. And don't get me started on that sorry puff of air that emanates from the rear air vents. I can remember the days when the Explorer uses to have a dedicated fan motor for the rear air that came out for the rear vents on the center console. Man it was great. You could sandblast rust off of chrome with that air flow. But later they removed the secondary fan motor so you pretty much were forced to buy the ceiling A/C system. Not sure it it's standard now since I stoppd buying Explorers in favor of the Edge.

 

I have never really been satisfied with the Edge A/C but I love the car otherwise and would but it again. I guess if it's all you'e use to then you might think its adequete but when you compare the Edge to other vehicles you may find it lacking. I just wish Ford would improve it a bit.

[awake33]

Wrong thread, lol.

Edited August 9, 2009 by awake33

[09RedfireSEL]

I agree about the AC output. It gets plenty cold, don't get me wrong, but the output is lacking. I live in Missisippi and it is usually around 80% or greater humidity and close to 100 degrees outside. My wife drives the Edge and has not once complained about the AC output, but I have noticed it. The AC in my Honda blows at 2 what the Edge blows at 4. Ford should have put switches on the rear vents so you can close them. If I drove the Edge every day, I would likely figure out a way to block the rear vents.

Edited August 3, 2009 by 09RedfireSEL

[anpbabaki]

Hey guys,

 

New to the forum and pretty happy this place exists. I just bought a brand new 2009 Limited and have no issues with the a/c. I live in north Texas and it was 103F yesterday. By the time I pulled out of my parking spot, the car seemed cool to me. I actually have to turn down the fan because I think it blows too hard.

 

This A/C system is definately better than the one in My old explorer.

 

exact opposite here, have an 09 SEL and it probably has about half the output as my 06 Explorer did.

[CaliforniaEdge]

A tale of two Edges....

 

I purchased an Edge in January. I also noticed the lack of blowing on my face and taking a long time to cool down. This edge had a black dashboard with the light tan interior, pearl white exterior.

 

In June it was totaled. End of July I got a new Edge. Brown dashboard, medium beige interior, suede white exterior. The air conditioner blows just fine on my face. Cools down in 10 minutes or less. I have to reduce the fan or feel too cold.

 

So, what's the difference? After reading this forum, which I fell into AFTER the first Edge, I've done the following. Open the BAMR and windows upon entry on a hot day. Have the steering wheel fully pushed in. Don't extend the steering wheel at all. Have the steering wheel lowered so I can just see the speedometer. Nothing else. I don't open the glove box. Didn't look at the filter. Everything else is the same.

 

It's hard to say if the coolness is because of my methods or the two cars were just different in their quality control. So, there it is.

 

By the way, in the first edge I only had the standard 6 CD stereo with Sync. I now have the navigation unit with Sync and it's day and night difference with regard to functionality. The old stereo just barely tolerated Sync. The navigation unit is fully integrated. Much of the integration has nothing to do with navigation, just a better synergy. For example, I can say "Radio 95.5" and it changes to radio and tunes to FM 95.5. In the non-nav unit the radio and Sync weren't synchronized at all.

[akirby]

For example, I can say "Radio 95.5" and it changes to radio and tunes to FM 95.5. In the non-nav unit the radio and Sync weren't synchronized at all.

 

That is a feature of the navigation system/radio combination. It has nothing to do with Sync. I had that in my 2003 Aviator long before sync came along.

[carcondo]

Bumping this topic because it is unseasonably hot and humid for November, even for SW FL. :shades:

 

My 2007 Edge was probably built around April 07 tho I didn't buy it till November 07, so it had probably been standing in the florida sunshine for a whole summer. From the start, I thought the a/c was weak, so that high fan speeds seemed necessary as the incoming air was not that cold. I checked my cabin air filter as described on this forum - it was pretty clean. By March 2009 I was sure the a/c was barely cooling the air at all, but I was due to go back to UK for the summer.

 

Move forward to November 2009. All the fiddling suggested here - trying recirc for 5 minutes - cracking open rear windows - nothing would really cool the car, the incoming air was warm even after 10 minutes. I took the car to the local stealer - their service department was clearly uninterested and did not inspire me with confidence. So I brought the car to a respected local auto a/c specialist. It took 15 minutes to diagnose a slow leak from a hose, 2 hours and a total of $300 to replace the hose (part $70), recharge the system (R134a refigerant $135), labor $100. The tech guy said there was barely an ounce of refrigerant remaining in the system.

 

The transformation is complete - the air comes out the vents icy cold, as it never has before, and cools the car in a couple of minutes - 85 degrees outside. Then AUTO and 70 degrees keeps it perfect with low (and silent) fan speed.

 

I reckon all the talk of only a single evaporator, or blocking off rear vents etc is treating the symptoms but not the cause. The hose in question is part aluminum tube and part rubber pipe - may be called the discharge hose - and if it has failed on my Edge you can be sure it is failing on others, most probably the early cars.

 

Anyway fellow enthusiasts, sorry this is such a long post but I hope it helps - I appreciate that much of the country will be cold for a few months, but serviceable a/c helps to de-fog the windows in damp cold weather - kindly post your experiences, especially if you manage to get the work done under warranty.

 

Cheers, Andy