I have a black w/black interior LS 430. I also live in LA Metro area. It has been pretty hot lately upwards of 100F. It seems to take a while for the AC to start cooling the cabin. Had the cabin filter changed, but my GS 300 seemed to have alot stronger AC, white car though. The cabin does get cooler eventually. It just takes a while for the AC to kick in. Should I get a AC recharge?
An easy way to check the AC charge is to set the parking brake, start the car and leave it in park, turn on the AC to full cold, open the hood, and look at the sight glass on top of the receiver-drier. If you see white foam moving past the glass, the system needs a re-charge. It should look like clear water flowing past the glass.
What setting cools the cabin faster. Fresh air in or closed. Seems to me that fresh air in gets cabin colder faster.
Fresh air closed will cool the cabin more quickly, however, using the AC in recirculate mode all the time can make the AC smell musty. I would just leave the recirc mode switch in auto.
On getting in a hot car that's been in the sun, open all the windows and set the AC on cold with fresh air in.
After a minute or two, the very hot air is exhausted from the car. Now close the windows and set the system to recirculate.
This is the fastest way to cool the cabin and best way to keep it cool in hot weather.
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