Off Road with AC?

[buz1nonly]

Anyone off road in the summer time with the AC on and windows closed? I've always had the windows open, but planning on my first trip with my daughter (1 year old) this summer. I think it would be a lot more comfortable for her with the AC on, since she always sweats in her car seat even in winter. The dog would be happy too.

Just wondering if anybody has overheated or run into problems.

 

[stuart.404]

I guess the short answer about overheating depends on the reliability and what aftermarket tuning you have on your car. In the summer we are regularly in the desert and mountains in temps in excess of 40C (104F) and have the AC running all the time.

 

[Dunco]

We have high 30's to mid 40"s (c) day in day out during summer and i run it all the time never had any problems

 

[3ilnouri]

I didn't have any problems, unless you get stuck in the dunes then you have to open the hood to cool the car

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[offroadohio]

I'm in Ohio so it isn't stupid hot but I never have issues

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[Zargon]

I often run with the A/C on, and never ran into an issue despite the hot socal climate. I also haven't needed to turn it off while idling, and that's in a 22 year old truck (the a/c automatically kicks on the auxiliary fans on the radiator)

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[Vyscera]

Unless you're really revving up the motor you should be fine.

 

[NotGumby]

Made the mistake of running the air (not specifically the AC) last year (even though the windows were open) in the very dusty Alps. Sucked up so much dust into the system before the cabin filter. I'll probably have to get it professionally cleaned. After the trip, when I did turn it on, big puff of dust from all the vents. If it's dusty, I'd say keep system off

. My dash tells the dust story.


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[Overlanding Downunder]

On dusty roads, I was told to run the A/C to pressurize the cab to stop/limit the dust entering.

 

[NotGumby]

I've heard that too. Maybe with recirculating air position?


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[FJCRUZA]

I did two days in Moab last year in 105 degree plus weather with windows up and AC on the whole time. No dust or cooling issues. Put the AC on max so it changes to recirculating automatically. This will minimalize dust intake.

FJ's have good cooling systems and the engine fan pulls lots of air. Your FJ should be fine as long as everything is functioning properly.

 

[9Mike2]

I thought going out in the wild was to exsperance the environment not armchair in front of a large TV? To me that's why I go out, I understand with a little one with you, but don't you want to be in Nature???

 

[cougargnw]

I run the air if my wife is with me and never have any issues

 

[The other Sean]

I run mine, if the truck seems to be running hot, no.

 

[TOMB]

Due to my work I am in some of the hottest places you can find and I run the AC all the time with no issues. When in 4 wheel I make sure to keep my automatic transmission in lowest gear setting so it won't overheat. That's generally where I find the issue 4 wheeling in extreme heat. I have been in Death Valley in 125+ temps with AC running full blast. Granted I am not doing any slow crawl, but no problems. Just make sure you cooling system is maintained properly.


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[Meta6981]

I run ac on and recirculate. Gotta keep...my pups cool. I have already had my cabin filter changed as it gets clogged with trail dust.

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[trikebubble]

We live in a dusty hot region of Canada (I know, hard to believe but true) Summer temps hit around 100*F or more and humidity is 0. I couldn't imagine off-roading without the windows closed and A/C on. Well actually, I don't have to imagine it. Prior to owning the Xterra, we owned a Jeep and thought it would be super awesome to go off-roading in the dead of summer without the top on. Made that mistake once, spent two hours cleaning dust from every nook and cranny of the Jeep and ourselves, and never ran topless in the summer dust again.
the only time I ever had vehicle overheating issues with the A/C on was pulling my travel trailer up and over the passes around Yakima in the middle of an August day a few years ago. We ended up running the heat at full blast with the windows down to keep the X from over-heating. After that trip a lot of maintenance and love was given to the cooling system and we never had the problem again.

 

[9Mike2]

That is a problem running "Naked" No top or doors with a Jeep, Plus you seats fade real quick, Except for the Bartact seat covers. I will run without my Freedom Top ( some people call them "T" tops) but I still use a screen cover over my going bald head and to keep wifey happy....but dust does get into everything....

 

[AndyH]

I always run with the AC on and widows closed too. Never had an overheating problem on any of my vehicles (including desert and beach driving).

 

[Egan]

I roll up the windows and turn on the AC to keep the dust out.