Do Not Attempt Southwest Road-trip During Day

[ChiefBushWookie]

As others have said, I would recommend having your AC checked. However, to your main question of a recommended sun shade; there are several topics already covering this. Here’s a link to one I found with a quick title search- Sunshade Options

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[SlaterGS]

Was the air still blowing strong just not cold? Or was there barely any air blowing out at all?

I have had this happen several times where no matter the level of the fans, barely any air would come out so it leads me to believe it is actually a software issue. Last time it happened when the battery was preconditioning for a fast charge.

What has fixed it for me was one of these two things:
Turning off all of the climate control for a second then back on again
Turning off AC and back on again

 

[SlaterGS]

Same thing happened to me when the battery was preconditioning for fast charge.....I was sweating like crazy. I removed the charge point from my nav and the A/C worked properly again.

I was going to do that but I wanted to see if anything else would fix it first. Turning AC off and back on immediately fixed it.

 

[BigSkies]

I agree with others to have the AC checked. While there are some legit complaints about the R1 AC systems, what you’re experiencing doesn’t seem normal.

Rivian has been having some persistent issues with putting the wrong amount of refrigerant in the AC. My R1T was delivered with the refrigerant charge of an R1S. A service appointment fixed it.

I went with the Abstract Ocean screen with the reflective layer. I haven’t checked to see if they have an R1S version yet. It makes a world of difference. I haven’t measured it, but I’d guess it keeps the cabin at least 10-15 degrees cooler than it otherwise would be when parked.

Honestly, I kinda just wish Rivian stuck with a metal roof. The glass roof looks neat, but the heat issues make it not worth it IMO. Particularly since most of us are covering it half the year anyways.

 

[jwanderson88]

I don't get the glass roof. I don't ever look up. It's wasted on me. Maybe it makes the interior a little lighter. It could be that the whole purpose is that it looks cool. I don't need looking cool that bad. It's something that I mostly ignore.

 

[SlaterGS]

I don't get the glass roof. I don't ever look up. It's wasted on me. Maybe it makes the interior a little lighter. It could be that the whole purpose is that it looks cool. I don't need looking cool that bad. It's something that I mostly ignore.

My kids love the roof and it does make it feel less claustrophobic with everyone packed in.
I do feel like it is an added cost/breaking point that I would be okay without.

 

[Tonicart]

Heatshield makes one for the R1S. I have one for my R1T and it's a necessity during the summer. It's labeled "top window"...

https://www.heatshieldstore.com/car-window-shades/2023-rivian-r1s-suv

 

[mkg3]

Drove from San Diego to Santa Fe in my R1S which took me through Phoenix at 3pm.
1) A/C on Max Recirculate, lowest temp
2) Seat Cooling on high
3) Wearing t-shirt, shorts, flippy floppies
4) Ice water in Yeti

The drive was miserable. Heat from glass roof overpowered everything and I was sweating.

lesson learned: It is not worth driving in heat and sunshine like that without some sort of insulated sunshade for the glass roof. Will be doing night driving near term for long road trips, if possible. Trip home at night was amazing. Less traffic and lights are awesome.

if anyone knows of quality sunshades, please let me know!

It's not just temperature. Its also radiation heat transfer.

Those in higher latitudes, especially this time of the year, do not get the intensity of the sun in lower latitudes.

Your heat issues is not just the roof and more likely through the windshield. Yes you'll feel heat where the roof its, because heat rises inside the cabin.

Will closing the glass roof with some barrier help? - Yes. But keep in mind that the windshield lets in tremendous amount of conduction and radiation heat transfer.

Maybe your AC does need to be checked too. Rivian may comeback and say it's working properly. If that's the case, stay away from hot placed...

 

[Batman]

I use this roof sunshade for my R1T. It covers part of the R1S roof.

https://www.hautopart.com/products/rivian-r1t-glass-roof-sunshades

I have this for my R1S, its great. Will keep it on till temps drop below 80.

I'm hoping they come out with one for 3rd row roof.

 

[Rambo]

Was the air still blowing strong just not cold? Or was there barely any air blowing out at all?

I have had this happen several times where no matter the level of the fans, barely any air would come out so it leads me to believe it is actually a software issue. Last time it happened when the battery was preconditioning for a fast charge.

What has fixed it for me was one of these two things:
Turning off all of the climate control for a second then back on again
Turning off AC and back on again

 

[Rambo]

You bring up some interesting points. I do think there is a good chance the AC is overcharged from what everyone has said. Once I get it into be serviced, I will report back.
A few times the AC would simply stop cooling the air at all. I have run into this before (different cars) where the AC lines freeze. Perhaps overcharging causes this to happen?
I would turn AC off for 10 minutes at a time with idea the lines would thaw and start working again. This worked, but then vehicle was super heated. I will need to try your quick fix next time it happens.
In my desperation to cool off, I shut down all vents excluding the ones pointing directly at me which may have also been an error on my part and contributed to the problem.

3 things for me to do:
1) Have AC serviced to see if overcharged or a software issue.
2) look into tinting windows, windshield and roof. Most likely the roof and windows before the windshield.
3) Purchase sunshade for roof

cooler days ahead for sure!

 

[iansriv]

Drive naked!

On a more serious note-lots of good advice here so, I can't add much. I just got my R1 and noticed the ac not working well. Have a SC apt on the 2nd. I also added ceramic tint to the windshield. It helped a little. But, to your point-the glass roof does let in a lot of heat. I'm not a fan of the glass roof. Please, do a bit more research on tinting the roof before you do it. My tint guy refused as it could trap heat and break the glass according to him. As it's autumn already, I will wait for a really good sunshade for next summer.

 

[iansriv]

I don't get the glass roof. I don't ever look up. It's wasted on me. Maybe it makes the interior a little lighter. It could be that the whole purpose is that it looks cool. I don't need looking cool that bad. It's something that I mostly ignore.

You mean to say you never look up at the beautiful sky while driving? j/k
I absolutely agree with you.

 

[Hillsider]

Another vote for bad AC unit. I live in a hot climate and have experienced what you're describing twice in the year I've had the truck. Both times it was the same issue - a pinched O ring in the compressor or condenser (not sure which) and they replaced the whole unit each time. According to the service center, a bad batch of units made it into production vehicles and it's been a common issue. R1 AC systems will have no problem keeping you comfortable in 110+ temps when working properly. Good luck!

 

[nothinglimited]

I have found the R1S version of this sunshade to be the best fit so far.

https://www.hautopart.com/collectio...t-glass-roof-sunshades?variant=43842398912724

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