Rivians in hot weather -- experience / tips?

[COdogman]

Vent the windows via the app? Is that a thing?

Yep, go into controls, then choose vent windows. It will lower them a couple inches. If you have an iPhone you can also see it on the larger widget, which works pretty well.

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[DRIVIAN]

Yep, go into controls, then choose vent windows. It will lower them a couple inches. If you have an iPhone you can also see it on the larger widget, which works pretty well.

Thanks, right there in front of me and I hadn't noticed.

 

[FLTANK]

Anyone happen to know exactly where the interior cabin temperature sensor is located? The AC feels very sensitive to sun position while driving but I haven't been able to easily find the sensor location within the car.

 

[irvineboy]

Accept the fact that the compressor may sound loud and you may feel vibration on the pedals when you have a “hot start”. In reality, it’s not much louder than an ICE engine running and it quiets down after a few minutes, but it annoys some people. It’s unlikely there will be a retrofit or repair for the noise concerns, it’s not a defect or safety issue. Gen 1 is Rivian’s first vehicle and as such they missed a few things.

As others have said, sunshades, precooling via the app, and using AUTO mode making sure RECIRC is on goes a long way towards comfort.

With all that said, there is a history with some vehicles, especially R1S, having a low refrigerant charge. My experience with what I believe is a “perfectly“ working AC in my R1S, as well as others, is that it can easily cool from 110 degrees cabin temperature to about 80 in 2 or 3 minutes, and I am at 70 within 4-5 minutes. That’s about the same as my ICE SUVs I have owned. If you are coming from a sedan or coupe, recognize that the air volume and glass area is MUCH larger in the R1S than those vehicles. Manage your expectations to be realistic.

If you have AC on and 10-15 minutes later you are still hot inside, you may have a low charge and service is needed.

I did notice the AC being very loud when turned on a few notches during the hotter days. I wasn’t sure if it’s normal but will have them check it out.

 

[Rivtony]

This is a suggestion from the Rivian Space in Pasadena:

 

[f1racer328]

We're still warming up here in Phoenix, but my R1T has been great. Sounds like the R1S is more of an issue. I have a Land Rover LR4 which also has a glass roof, and the AC on that vehicle isn't strong enough sometimes.

15% tint on the front windows, and 70% on the windshield.

XPEL Prime XR on the windshield, and XPEL Prime XR Plus on the front driver/passenger windows.

 

[detjason]

We are supposed to see temperatures rise to the mid 90s this week. For those in hot climates is there anything in particular you experience with the R1S in these temperatures? Is there anything you recommend?

I live in the California desert where it can remain over 100 degrees for 90 days straight (<-see link). After reading this thread, I cancelled my R1S order. I have no interest in spending $100,000+ on a car, then having to tint sunroof for $1200, get after market insert, or remember to start my car with my app 10 minutes before I get in it.

However, I wanted to share something I have not seen in this thread. The link below is a test autotrader conducted between white cars and dark cars. The TLDR is that there is a significant difference in white in more than just interior temp. Here are the stats below. Although individually, these stats may be hard to directly attribute to comfort of passengers, #4 is the deal breaker for me.

After sitting in hot sun,:
1. White car reflects 60% of heat, dark reflects 5% (<-see link)
2. White interior 113 degrees, dark, 131. (same link as above)
3. White exterior 112 degrees, black 159 (<- see link)
4. The original study I read (that I cant find) that has kept me buying only white cars indicated the dark car took 20 minutes longer to cool down after driver gets in and starts AC. So if your commute is less than 20 min, your car will NEVER cool down when you are in it in the summer. No thanks.

 

[BeanEW]

When I'm in my AZ home during summer, my R1S AC works super hard and loud. I have a fabric under-cover on my glass roof and the cabin temperature is cool but I hated the noise of the AC. If I live in a hot climate area year round, I wouldn't get a R1. I'm hoping the R2 will be better.

 

[JacobAZ]

I live in the California desert where it can remain over 100 degrees for 90 days straight (<-see link). After reading this thread, I cancelled my R1S order. I have no interest in spending $100,000+ on a car, then having to tint sunroof for $1200, get after market insert, or remember to start my car with my app 10 minutes before I get in it.

However, I wanted to share something I have not seen in this thread. The link below is a test autotrader conducted between white cars and dark cars. The TLDR is that there is a significant difference in white in more than just interior temp. Here are the stats below. Although individually, these stats may be hard to directly attribute to comfort of passengers, #4 is the deal breaker for me.

After sitting in hot sun,:
1. White car reflects 60% of heat, dark reflects 5% (<-see link)
2. White interior 113 degrees, dark, 131. (same link as above)
3. White exterior 112 degrees, black 159 (<- see link)
4. The original study I read (that I cant find) that has kept me buying only white cars indicated the dark car took 20 minutes longer to cool down after driver gets in and starts AC. So if your commute is less than 20 min, your car will NEVER cool down when you are in it in the summer. No thanks.

Thread originated prior to Gen 2, so I cannot speak to Gen 1. But, for my gen 2 R1T, 90 degrees is no big deal. In Phoenix where the low summer temps are around 90 degrees, the cabin and battery stay cool without the AC working hard. When its 115 and sunny the AC does work hard, but everything cools quickly and stays cool. The one negative is when the truck has sat in the hot sun, the cooling will work hard for a while to bring temps down ... when working hard it is loud. Other than noisy when working hard, the cooling is similar to the Model Y.

 

[VSG]

After reading this thread, I cancelled my R1S order.

You joined this forum today just so you could tell us you're not going to buy a Rivian? LOL.

 

[iansriv]

I live in the California desert where it can remain over 100 degrees for 90 days straight (<-see link). After reading this thread, I cancelled my R1S order. I have no interest in spending $100,000+ on a car, then having to tint sunroof for $1200, get after market insert, or remember to start my car with my app 10 minutes before I get in it.

However, I wanted to share something I have not seen in this thread. The link below is a test autotrader conducted between white cars and dark cars. The TLDR is that there is a significant difference in white in more than just interior temp. Here are the stats below. Although individually, these stats may be hard to directly attribute to comfort of passengers, #4 is the deal breaker for me.

After sitting in hot sun,:
1. White car reflects 60% of heat, dark reflects 5% (<-see link)
2. White interior 113 degrees, dark, 131. (same link as above)
3. White exterior 112 degrees, black 159 (<- see link)
4. The original study I read (that I cant find) that has kept me buying only white cars indicated the dark car took 20 minutes longer to cool down after driver gets in and starts AC. So if your commute is less than 20 min, your car will NEVER cool down when you are in it in the summer. No thanks.

There is yet to be one car that makes everyone happy. Rivian doesnt seem to be for you. Let us know what you end up getting. All the best.

 

[tate16t]

I live in the California desert where it can remain over 100 degrees for 90 days straight (<-see link). After reading this thread, I cancelled my R1S order. I have no interest in spending $100,000+ on a car, then having to tint sunroof for $1200, get after market insert, or remember to start my car with my app 10 minutes before I get in it.

Your logic for not buying a Rivian makes no sense. It’s not a must to tint the sunroof. A few autos come with full glass roofs these days. And, preconditioning a vehicle prior to driving it is not a $100k car issue.

 

[LR4toR1S]

I drove for 2300 miles and about 15-17 hours at a time in 97-103+ weather. The temperature never dropped below 93f while driving. It was really warm.

Summary:
Everything was fantastic. I'm saying this after having a horrific start to my ownership experience. RIVIAN has fixed all the issues after 7 months. The car is amazing and what I wish was delivered on day 1. I have been extremely vocal about my poor experience, but how amazing RIVIAN service has been (once you get an appointment). It is only fair I write a review on my trip from CO to Nashville TN and Back. The R1S MAX Pack Dual Motor was Perfect.


Warnings regarding Temperature:
I only received a reduced charging speed warning 3x. over that 2000 miles. It was still charging at 188 kWh. So yeah, no real impact, so that was a win. Also the highest temperature I saw on my battery during charging in that heat was 122 and 133f. They cooled off quickly once I started driving again.

My cooled seats seemed to function oddly. I believe a recent update may have borked them? They start of OK then fade (the cooling).


NOTE: The only thing to know is the sun and windshield angle can make your steering wheel get really hot when you are parked. I suggest you buy the RIVIAN sunscreen. Its VERY thick (like a plug for the window) and keeps the heat out very well. Unlike those flexible shiny things purchased on Amazon.

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