Ok so as you guys probably know my car came back from the shop last week because I crashed it. Today me and my sister were on our way to Laredo (130 miles drive from San Antonio) to visit my parents when suddenly she tells me that the AC seems to be not cold enough. I checked and I had everything like my temperature to the coldest setting but it wasn't like before. Yes the AC is cold but not as cold as when I got it brand new. I don't know if I have a leak because I don't know how to check that so I am gonna bring it to the dealer next week when I get back in San Antonio. Anyone have any similar experience?

 

The MINI AC isn't the strongest to begin with. However, temperature can be subjective so you might want to check it yourself with a thermometer (about $7 at Autozone) before wasting a trip to the dealer. With the AC on fresh air (non recirc), full cold, and low speed you should expect a temp drop of 30-40 degrees below ambient temperature. If the performance is in that range, I wouldn't expect to get much help from the dealer.

 

I always had the AC on the "recirc" mode but I am gonna try without the "recirc" mode on to see if there is any difference. I was just worried because I really did feel a slight difference. This is my daily driver to school so I know how my AC is. I will definitely check with the thermometer. Thanks ammodave!

 

I don't honestly know whether recirc or fresh air is coldest but you're supposed to do the test on fresh air. I would think recirc is colder because the air is constantly being re-cooled as opposed to cooling 90 degree air from outside.

 

I tested my AC a bunch of times already and as of today I think my AC got worse. When I turn it on on, max temperature (coldest) it would be kinda cold for the first 10 seconds then it would just feel like fan, no cold. I am bringing it in the shop again next week when I get back to San Antonio from spring break. Damn I wish I didn't crash this car, it will probably give me a lot more problems down the road. :(

 

Might be crash related...call the adjuster...tell him you just tried the ac for the first time, and it does not work like before the crash....the condendor, or a line may have been dammaged, causing a slow leak...