R1S cabin temperature just too hot for Florida

[dia003]

I live in GA. It's hot in the summer... just like everywhere. I can never remember to cool my truck off before I get in. I don't blame Rivian for this.

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[TXR1S]

I own both an R1T and an R1S.

I think this is a legitimate problem on the R1S.

Both of my vehicles are Xpel XR Plus tinted, including the windshield.

I would say the R1T AC system is "acceptable". The R1S is not.

Today in Houston (~100F) the R1S sat outside in full sun for a few hours. Pre-cooled for 15 minutes, and the AC system was still running full out on LO for a 30 minute drive before arriving at my destination. After 45 minutes full out, any HVAC system should be able to make you uncomfortably cold. The R1S (at least mine) cannot.

My R1S has been into the service center and "everything is operating normally".

So everyone with an R1T saying "NBD", this problem does not apply to you.

I hope Rivian does some kind of satisfaction campaign for the R1S. My uneducated guess is that its the same compressor as the R1T and just way undersized for the R1S.

And yes of course a sunshade on the roof would improve it. But that is not a reasonable expectation for acceptable AC performance on a 100k car.

Everyone on here telling you to tint. Well, I live in Texas and ceramic tinted the roof and it is still annoyingly hot.

Even while driving after the cab has cooled down, the top of my head is quite literally hot to the touch. The sun is intense, the glass roof is too hot to touch, and your head is inches from it. I have learned that you have to preemptively turn on the AC via phone app at least 5 min before going anywhere in Texas or it is unbearable. If you forget, you have to drive with all of the windows down for a few minutes to not overheat. Having to get on the app before going anywhere is definitely annoying to do and I often forget.

The cab gets so hot while parked in the sun that I swear I am starting to smell glue/plastic/fabric release new odors. The smell was so strong that I searched my car looking to see if I left something, even a pen, in the vehicle. Didn't find anything. It is just the smell of the interior baking in an oven.

TLDR: The sun roof is a huge miss by Rivian IMO. I spent $1,050 to ceramic tint my roof, all windows, and windshield and it is still too hot. The heat that comes from the roof while driving in the sun is extremely noticeable. I am waiting for a elegant permanent shade solution.

I seriously think Fuyao must have forgotten to treat your roof with whatever it is that rejects the IR. I tinted my windshield and the heat transmission is night and day different. My roof is un-tinted, I and cannot feel *any* heat coming through it on my hand right next to the glass. Truly weird, and sorry you're having this problem.

 

[Cactus]

Agree that R1S owners (in the south and southwest) might band together and demand that Rivian upgrade the AC compressors (or do something acceptable) so that their vehicles can be properly cooled.
I realized this will be a pain in the @ss for Rivian, but when word gets around that the AC is suboptimal in the R1S, if will affect sales. I'm a stockholder, so want Rivian to succeed!

 

[AfroRick]

I live in GA, I'm a stock holder, and I'm picking up my vehicle shortly. If the AC is going to be an issue - that's definitely the first complaint I'll be making. Planet not getting any colder or less sunny, so we need an SUV-sized compressor

 

[Redline]

I have to say, this is one of my favorite threads on this site.

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[electronlen]

I waited 2.5 years for my R1S. I had all the best intentions of having it for years. My mistake was never test driving it before I picked it up, but I could not find a time that fit into my busy work schedule. I had the R1S for 5 weeks and just did not love the drive, being a little more “truckish” than I expected and was used to. I sold it, but this was NEVER my goal. If I waited, and waited and was so excited for the R1S for 2.5 years to purchase and sell it then I have bigger problems.

I think the R1S is incredible and I know Rivian is going to continue to do amazing things. I am sold on electric vehicles. I truly believe I will circle back one day, maybe for the R2.

As far as the OP is concerned, I am not sure why there is so much hostility. He brought up a legitimate concern. Yes, perhaps he could have done more to mitigate it, but we are all beta testers and maybe it gave him cold feet. Incidentally, I know another owner who had an HVAC issue on his R1S and it was fixed by service. Regardless, it spurred conversation and led to more awareness. The next owner with a similar problem will be better informed.

 

[Redline]

I just have a hard time believing some of the posters who sold their cars for profits….that they really were planning on keeping it. Making threads like this is a way for them to self sooth IMO.

 

[Whataboykie!]

I also live in Florida. After the latest AC update, I have to run my fan on setting 1, because it blows so cold! Granted, I park in my garage everyday. When I go out and park in the sun somewhere, the truck takes a while to cool down without "pre-cooling" it.
I recently bought a "Dashmat" from Amazon. What a difference! It was $33 and is very very well made. It's a perfect fit and keeps the dash from cooking. Even if you pre-cool, your dash still seems to radiate heat into the cabin until it finally cools down to the temp in the truck. (takes a long time because you're still driving and the sun still beats upon your dash)
A windscreen cover will also help, but then you have fold and unfold it each time which is a pain if you're just running into a store or won't be parking too long.
Both a dash and windshield cover will make a huge difference if you park outside for a long period.

 

[Deadfish]

If your R1S is too hot, have your tried leaving the 3rd row up and the seat belts buckled? Only then can the 3rd AC unit engage.

As one with a big dog, this is annoying, as I'd like to run the 3rd row AC with the seat down to keep the dog cool. I'm hoping they fix that with an update soon.

 

[Jdunn]

I have the same issue w the ac. My 2 previous Tesla S cars cooled really well but my Rivian ac is pathetic when it’s hot here in CA. I have tried to pre cool it but that does not work. I have spoken to service and they don’t BR know what to do. Does anyone know if it is the software or the hardware?

 

[Ric G]

I'm in Florida, not too far from OP's location and I agree its hot, even inside our garage at home is 90* by afternoon. When I first got the R1 in May I was seeing as high as 138* in the Rivian App. pretty much any time it sat in the sun for a few hours. Tinting the windshield and all around except pano roof glass has lowered the temps to around 120*. So now I just remember to look at my phone and tap/swipe/tap and I'm greeted with a nice cool cabin.

We used to have a Mercedes GLE with a similar App. that would precool, but it would only run the engine for 5 minutes or so before it would shut the car off. The Rivian is so much better since its a EV and precooling the cabin works great.

(note to the guys at Orlando Delivery Center: PRECOOL the vehicles! My wife and I were sweating during the 12 noon delivery intro and very concerned that there was a problem with the AC when we took delivery)

 

[iBang]

So many excuses just to say I wanted to make money.

just because the poster left negative feedback doesn't mean it's ok to bash him. It is perfectly ok to leave any honest feedback on Rivian cars. That's how they make the car better.

 

[Bunker Hill]

I took delivery of my R1S in April after an 18 month wait. I absolutely love the driving, ride and performance of the vehicle. However I just sold it (for more than I paid for it) due to the extreme heat in the cab and the poor AC. We do not have covered or shaded parking at my office and when I would go out to lunch the cabin temperature was routinely above 130. It would not cool down on my drive to lunch or the 15 min home from work. The compressor also continually whined which was annoying. No Apple Car Play or XM radio were also factors. This is just not a car for Florida until improvements are made to the AC and adding a sunshade to the sunroof. I hate losing the car but I hope to buy another one once these improvements happen..

So sorry you did not have Rivian check out your A/C before you sold it. I live in Texas and like you my cabin temp gets right up there even though I have a carport. I just use my app and pre-cool the cabin before I go out to get in it. It cools from @ about 5 degrees per minute down to my set point of 72F.

 

[yizzung]

just because the poster left negative feedback doesn't mean it's ok to bash him. It is perfectly ok to leave any honest feedback on Rivian cars. That's how they make the car better.

The negative feedback could be due to someone (supposedly) waiting 18 months for a vehicle and selling it (allegedly)for a profit after trying seemingly nothing to mitigate the problem. Some folks around here might have submitted a service ticket for what could have been a faulty A/C and/or asked people around here for tips... But, sure, feedback noted.

For anyone here who hasn't sold their R1T just yet, I bought this on Amazon, and it's been really helpful. Fit is quite nice and looks like it's stock: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BVVL23ZY/

I now routinely leave my dogs in the car with Pet Comfort running. Between this sunroof shade and a very good windshield shade, my dogs really enjoy their frosty $90K mobile kennel...

 

[COdogman]

just because the poster left negative feedback doesn't mean it's ok to bash him. It is perfectly ok to leave any honest feedback on Rivian cars. That's how they make the car better.

You're correct that OP is free to voice whatever opinions he wants about Rivian or the R1S. They are also free to sell their Rivian for whatever reason they want - or no reason at all.

It's disingenuous, however to SAY you are selling your Rivian partially because they don't have CarPlay when Rivian never had CarPlay and has repeatedly said they don't ever plan to add it.

As far as the air conditioning, it also seems a bit lazy to not get it checked or take advantage of the ability to pre-cool the vehicle if your complaint is that it is hot when you get inside of it in the summer.... Of course it's hot in the S after it's been sitting in the sun for hours.

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