Turn on 3rd row AC circulation for faster cooling down?

[LL75]

I typically don't turn on this section bcz we hardly use the 3rd row. Today, I turned it on during this hot day of summer heat and I felt that it cools the car down much faster than just my normal front and middle zone.

Anyone else feels this?

Sponsored

 

[Bar_Down]

Interesting... I haven't tried it but I am going to! Thanks for the idea.

 

[Riv E In]

I read on here in the past (no idea if legit...) that:

1. turning on the floor vents in the 2nd row cools the front seat ventilation better/faster (and this one I agree with), but that

2. turning on the 3rd row vents is somehow worse for getting the entire vehicle cooler (assuming it's empty in the 3rd row, as opposed to the seat belt buckled or seat otherwise occupied).

The 3rd row vents in general make no sense to me. Just have them blow cold air! My dog would appreciate it.

 

[rkalbiar]

I was told by Rivian Service that turning on 2nd and 3rd rows will help cool the vehicle faster. I tried it a little bit but could not tell an appreciable difference. I would need to do more comparisons to make a final call on that..

 

[LL75]

I was told by Rivian Service that turning on 2nd and 3rd rows will help cool the vehicle faster. I tried it a little bit but could not tell an appreciable difference. I would need to do more comparisons to make a final call on that..

If you put it on recirculation mode. That would be the best

 

[Zoidz]

I have noticed a difference and always have all 3 rows on. The probable reason this makes a difference is that Rivian almost certainly uses a software algorithm called a PID loop to control the variable speed compressor (Gen 1 and Gen 2, does not matter). With only the front on, the front area starts to cool down and the compressor slows down which reduces cooling capacity and efficiency. But heat from the back area continues to slowly mix in to the front, taking longer to cool down the entire cabin. Kinda like putting 1 ice cube in a 16 oz glass every minute and not stirring.

With 2nd and 3rd rows on, is a reasonalble assumption that the compressor algorithm will run at a faster speed and higher efficiency since it knows that there should be a greater heat load, as well as seeing that the return air temperature is not dropping as quickly. Overall, the higher speed and efficiency should cool the cabin faster. Kinda like putting 6 ice cubes in a 16 oz glass at the same time and stirring.

This would be less noticeable in an R1T because of the significantly smaller cabin air volume.

 

[LL75]

I have noticed a difference and always have all 3 rows on. The probable reason this makes a difference is that Rivian almost certainly uses a software algorithm called a PID loop to control the variable speed compressor (Gen 1 and Gen 2, does not matter). With only the front on, the front area starts to cool down and the compressor slows down which reduces cooling capacity and efficiency. But heat from the back area continues to slowly mix in to the front, taking longer to cool down the entire cabin. Kinda like putting 1 ice cube in a 16 oz glass every minute and not stirring.

With 2nd and 3rd rows on, is a reasonalble assumption that the compressor algorithm will run at a faster speed and higher efficiency since it knows that there should be a greater heat load, as well as seeing that the return air temperature is not dropping as quickly. Overall, the higher speed and efficiency should cool the cabin faster. Kinda like putting 6 ice cubes in a 16 oz glass at the same time and stirring.

This would be less noticeable in an R1T because of the significantly smaller cabin air volume.

Nice explanation and analogy

 

[Windblade]

I typically don't turn on this section bcz we hardly use the 3rd row. Today, I turned it on during this hot day of summer heat and I felt that it cools the car down much faster than just my normal front and middle zone.

Anyone else feels this?

We take our dogs to the dog-park daily (weather permitting and sometimes even in grungy weather) and use the 3 row vents to keep them cool (or warm in the winter). In middle Tennessee, it makes a difference and they (and we) are comfortable with the air conditioning. It does cool a bit faster as long as we keep the front seats in vent mode only (i.e., without doing the windshield or feet).

Sponsored