so how's the B7's AC on these really hot days?

[BCGTI]

Had four adults in the car coming back from McLaren Vale in our '11 118tsi Wagon last Friday and the outside temerature was showing 48.5... AC on full but was nice and cool front and back

[kleung]

Thanks guys. Looks like the Passat's AC can cope from what I've been reading!

Today's temp - 38C, MFD reading 42C, Climatronic set to 22C on auto-low, air vent temp got down to 3.9C after about 10 minutes at a steady 80kmh.

[maclean_cherry]

Today's temp - 38C, MFD reading 42C, Climatronic set to 22C on auto-low, air vent temp got down to 3.9C after about 10 minutes at a steady 80kmh.

Similar experience today as well. Drove out to Solartint to book the car in and it's a scorcher. Was very very comfortable in car though. I noticed the sunroof cover is vented so I drive with the cover closed and sunroof open so the heat escapes but the sun doesn't get in.

[Hillbilly]

Similar experience today as well. Drove out to Solartint to book the car in and it's a scorcher. Was very very comfortable in car though. I noticed the sunroof cover is vented so I drive with the cover closed and sunroof open so the heat escapes but the sun doesn't get in.

Well I wouldnt drive with anything open if I have the aircon going.

You dont want to cool the whole neigbourhood after all.

My wife would have the aircon on at home and have a window open.

To get fresh air she said. She doesnt do it any more.

I wouldnt describe the VW aircon as outstanding either. More like just adequate.

Last car was a Toyota Landcruiser and it would freeze you if turned right up.

Havent managed to get VW anywhere near that.

[maclean_cherry]

Sorry should have put a caveat in there that I do that initially to cool the car down. Easier to let the hot air out than cool it.

[Hillbilly]

Sorry should have put a caveat in there that I do that initially to cool the car down. Easier to let the hot air out than cool it.

Did you know you can hold a button down on your remote to open all the windows as you walk up to the car to do similar

[maclean_cherry]

Did you know you can hold a button down on your remote to open all the windows as you walk up to the car to do similar

Yup. Doesn't do much without the AC pumping in cold air though.

Can't wait until my tinting is done, should be MUCH cooler in car after that..

[JimC]

I would describe the aircon in my 2011 V6 as less than adequate. We've had a number of days here in Melb in the high 30s and the aircon is noisy and frankly not cold enough - particularly when the car is hot from sitting in the sun (i.e. when you NEED it most).

From reading the comments here, it's so bad I'm starting to think it's actually not working porperly. The car is going in for it's first scheduled service soon and I'm going to have it checked. Hopefully I get something more than a 'we couldn't fault it' from the dealer.

[kleung]

I would describe the aircon in my 2011 V6 as less than adequate. We've had a number of days here in Melb in the high 30s and the aircon is noisy and frankly not cold enough - particularly when the car is hot from sitting in the sun (i.e. when you NEED it most).

I find that on a hot day, especially if my car has been sitting in the sun for a while, the AC doesn't do much until you're moving at a decent speed. You might be able to help it along a bit by having all the windows fully open initially for the first few minutes to vent the superheated air, and setting the Climatronic to auto-high (not sure if VW deleted the two-mode auto function in the more recent Passats), and choose recirculate mode.

From reading the comments here, it's so bad I'm starting to think it's actually not working porperly. The car is going in for it's first scheduled service soon and I'm going to have it checked. Hopefully I get something more than a 'we couldn't fault it' from the dealer.

You might be able to check it to a certain point yourself - I bought myself a cheap little probe thermometer from Ebay (it's only a few dollars delivered), and I stick it down the centre vents. Stationary at idle, the vent temp usually settles between 7-9C, and it drops as low as 3.5C when cruising at 80km/h+.

[booba]

the "auto-high" still exists in my13. the button is called "Max AC"

I find that on a hot day, especially if my car has been sitting in the sun for a while, the AC doesn't do much until you're moving at a decent speed. You might be able to help it along a bit by having all the windows fully open initially for the first few minutes to vent the superheated air, and setting the Climatronic to auto-high (not sure if VW deleted the two-mode auto function in the more recent Passats), and choose recirculate mode.



You might be able to check it to a certain point yourself - I bought myself a cheap little probe thermometer from Ebay (it's only a few dollars delivered), and I stick it down the centre vents. Stationary at idle, the vent temp usually settles between 7-9C, and it drops as low as 3.5C when cruising at 80km/h+.