2016 A/C question for previous GM owners

01BlackZ71 · July 2, 2017

I've had my 2016 LTZ Crew Cab Duramax for 6 months now. I've previously had an identical 07 and 04 model. All three trucks were red with black leather interior and all windows tinted.

Now that it's gotten hot, it seems like the AC on the new truck can't keep up as well as the older models and I just want to see if I'm crazy or if anyone else notices a difference.

The best example I can give is after the truck has sat for at least an hour and is then started. The AC has to be run with the fan nearly on high for 10+ minutes before the interior reaches steady state and I can back it down. On my 07 & 04 I don't remember ever turning the fan past the lowest setting all summer long.

I had the dealer check it at an oil change and while they stated, "We've had several 16's come in low on refrigerant." mine checked out fine. It's cold no doubt, but it just doesn't have the CFM's or something.

bearcat77 · July 3, 2017

I would say my 2016 is adequate, but definitely not going to win any awards for cooling power. I have to set the temp gauge all the way to LO to really cool things down.

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Boardmember · July 3, 2017

Guys, I am a know-nothing, but do recall in the Settings, there is a high-med-low selection for fan settings. Might that be the answer?

O_J_Simpson · July 3, 2017

You are correct. In tougher climates, the K2 HVAC system just flat sucks compared to the older trucks. With no rear vents, the cab cools very un-even to start with. If the truck has a sun roof it gets worse as the roof/headliner stays hot. The biggest issue is the automatic climate control on the upper trim levels. Put a TI in a dash vent. It will fall to 48F and stick there as the automatic system will mix warm air to keep the discharge at 48F or above. The old systems drove the temp right down to 38-40F to really chill the truck down. The ones with rear AC vents really kicked ass as the cab was cooled very evenly too. I have a few K2 trucks and my old GMT-800. The GMT-800 will give an Eskimo in the back seat chills.

One other thing, expect the condenser line to fail in the 40-50K mileage range.

revrnd · July 3, 2017

I've hardly had enough hot weather here in southern Ontario to fiddle w/ the AC. We haven't been able to string 2 days of sunshine together w/o a day of rain.

01BlackZ71 · July 3, 2017

You are correct. In tougher climates, the K2 HVAC system just flat sucks compared to the older trucks. With no rear vents, the cab cools very un-even to start with. If the truck has a sun roof it gets worse as the roof/headliner stays hot. The biggest issue is the automatic climate control on the upper trim levels. Put a TI in a dash vent. It will fall to 48F and stick there as the automatic system will mix warm air to keep the discharge at 48F or above. The old systems drove the temp right down to 38-40F to really chill the truck down. The ones with rear AC vents really kicked ass as the cab was cooled very evenly too. I have a few K2 trucks and my old GMT-800. The GMT-800 will give an Eskimo in the back seat chills.

One other thing, expect the condenser line to fail in the 40-50K mileage range.

This makes me feel better to know I am not totally crazy.

The air is cold but it seems like 4 vents in the dash aren't enough to get it done.

Dnt · July 3, 2017

Not your imagination man - "spotted" Al Gore warned us about this years ago. It is global warming............

https://www.ted.com/talks/al_gore_s_new_thinking_on_the_climate_crisis

fjtort2 · July 3, 2017

My A/C seems great in my 15... But the back seat does SUCK and get hot without vents! Terrible design.

dab5577 · July 3, 2017

I find the Auto climate control makes it worse. I seem to stay more comfortable making manual settings on temp and fan speed. It's not as good as my '11 was.

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redwngr · July 3, 2017

My '16 SLT cools as well as my earlier GM's.

If running on Auto, be sure the 'Max fan' setting is set high enough in the 'Personalization' settings accessed thru the audio system:

Auto Fan Max Speed

This feature will set the maximum auto fan speed.

Select Low, Medium, or High.

magnum74 · July 4, 2017

I've never liked the AUTO setting no matter which brand, make or model I've owned. I do live in Canada but my summer can hit the high 80's and even into the 90's. With my climate setting on LOW and full fan speed it can get down right cold inside. Those of you living in the south might have a different experience but I have no issue with mine.

revrnd · July 6, 2017

I've never liked the AUTO setting no matter which brand, make or model I've owned. I do live in Canada but my summer can hit the high 80's and even into the 90's. With my climate setting on LOW and full fan speed it can get down right cold inside. Those of you living in the south might have a different experience but I have no issue with mine.

Not scientific, but this is what I found this afternoon in the driveway using an indoor/outdoor thermometer. Holding the the outdoor temp sensor in front of 1 of the AC vents (Fan set at Hi, Temp LO & recirculate), the thermometer read 55* F. Outside ambient temp was 81*F. Truck is a regular cab w/ the LT trim.

Silver16 · July 7, 2017

I've had my 2016 LTZ Crew Cab Duramax for 6 months now. I've previously had an identical 07 and 04 model. All three trucks were red with black leather interior and all windows tinted.

Now that it's gotten hot, it seems like the AC on the new truck can't keep up as well as the older models and I just want to see if I'm crazy or if anyone else notices a difference.

The best example I can give is after the truck has sat for at least an hour and is then started. The AC has to be run with the fan nearly on high for 10+ minutes before the interior reaches steady state and I can back it down. On my 07 & 04 I don't remember ever turning the fan past the lowest setting all summer long.

I had the dealer check it at an oil change and while they stated, "We've had several 16's come in low on refrigerant." mine checked out fine. It's cold no doubt, but it just doesn't have the CFM's or something.

Global truck warming

brclark82 · July 21, 2017

I actually think my ac works great, and this is also the first vehicle I've owned that I actually use the auto setting and think it works great. Usually have it set on 70-72 in summer depending on how hot it is, sometimes down to 68 and it always starts on MAX and gets it there quickly and the keeps it there. Not sure what the output temp is but it's cold enough to get to the temp I want I'm a short amount of time.

TX.45 · July 21, 2017

Mine has been pretty good, much better than my 13 F150 and 09 Corvette had. My 06 F150 beater is just as good as the 2500hd. None of them hold a candle to my old 2002 Camaro SS. That car would get cool instantly in any temperature.