I just did as scientific of an experiment as possible with my limited equipment:

1. 2009 black on black FX4 vs. 2009 red on black Fusion

2. Ambient temp 90°F, sunny and hazy (Iowa weather)

3. Digital probe thermometer, Taylor


SETUP:

1. Both vehicles have been sitting all day in full sun. Windows up. Both have black leather interior, no aftermarket tinting. Both parked facing west on level ground.

PROCEDURE:

2. While vehicle off, set A/C to recirculate, fan to highest setting, coldest temp settings.

3. Startup vehicle, immediately pull out and drive at 25 mph until steady state temp is reached.


RESULTS:

1. 2009 Fusion - Probe started at 111.3°F. Reached steady state of 42.1° after 3 minutes 15 seconds. Temp then fluctuated between 41.9-45.0° for remainder of drive back to house.

2. 2009 F150 - Temp probe was allowed to return to cabin temp in truck. Probe started at 113.8°. Reached steady state at 56.6°F after 6 minutes. Fluctuated between 55.1-59.6°F on return trip.

I'm not going to worry about the absolute values as much as the delta between the vehicles. Roughly 14°F difference between the two Ford vehicles.

So, in conclusion, in my personal situation, the F150 took twice as long to get to a steady temp, and it wasn't as cold as the fusion.

I took the truck around the block and reduced fan settings, etc... but never reached a temp lower than 55.1.

I'll test any other vehicles I can get my hands on and keep adding data...

-Andy

 

I just tested my AC system today as well because I was suspect of its performance....it pretty much mirrored your F150..... Basically, they suck. 50* vent temps is ridiculous.... My 40 year old Vette will get to 42* in 5-10 mins when cold about will get down to 45* in about 15 mins when its been sitting outside all day in the sun with 135* vent temps.

I am very dissappointed in the AC system in the truck. My guess is the ECU programming that is controlling the compressor cycle points and evaporator core temp is not correct or very very modest to help prevent evaporator freeze up.... Something is gonna have to give though.... 50* vent temps in Houston summer ain't gonna cut it....

For comparison, my 06 Silverado crew cab I just traded in would get to 40-42* vent temps down from 130* vent temps in about 7-8 mins.....I could literally have the fan speed on 2 or 3 (out of 5 speeds) after only 10 mins when the truck has been sitting in 100* temps all day long and be completely cool...

 

This is my only complaint about my truck so far. The AC is not near as good as the Dodge.

 

I owned an 08 silverado and had a friend of mine who would always talk about how much better the heat/ac were on chevies. I used to think he was full of crap.......until I bought my f150. I love my new truck, but the hvac system is completely subpar. It cannot keep up with the multiple trucks/cars/suvs I have owned and been around in my lifetime. This is something Ford really needs to work to address, as it is a huge negative.

 

Is there anything we can do to make it colder?

 

All my previous (pre 2010) F150's had AC that was awesome.
My 2010's AC is wimpy. First summer i had the 2010, I took it back to the dealer to have the AC fixed. As it turned out, nothing was wrong with it and there has been no improvement.
Did find out though that the AC system holds about half of the gas ( 1.6 or 1.8 lb) compared to the 3.5 lb in pre-2010 150's.
Definitely something i will pay attention to when i test drive a new 150 late spring of next year. If I'm not happy with the AC in 2012-13...i will just keep the truck i have now and get me a new Harley instead.

 

Ok I tried something different this morning because of a post I read on this thread and the A/C blowing seemed a good bit colder. When you hit the recir button it automatically turns on the Max A/C which blows cool air not cold. If you turn off the Max A/C the air coming out of the vents is noticably colder. Someone else try this and see if it is the same with their truck.

 

I agree with you guys , I have owned 06 f150 , poor a/c , 09 f150 poor a/c and now own a 11 f150 KR , a/c is really the only complaint I have , it will not blow cold air , cool air yes , other ford cars I drive a/c is great , just like other brands , a/c is cold , why can't ford put a decent a/c in these trucks? , I never see any evaporation from evaporator coil , like you get with other vehicles with good performing a/c. I think the compressor cyles off too soon or something , I wish someone would come up with a fix , it's hot in Texas !