458 air vent directional control | FerrariChat

458 air vent directional control

Discussion in '458 Italia/488/F8' started by alterra16, Jun 14, 2013.

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  1. alterra16

    alterra16 Rookie

    Jan 22, 2013
    45
    Scottsdale, Az
    Have any of you noticed or had difficulty getting the air vents to blow on your upper body. I find mine lack the fine tuning ability that all my other cars have. Any thoughts?
     
  2. 458trofeo

    458trofeo F1 Rookie

    Feb 4, 2013
    4,426
    City of Angels
    Full Name:
    101 aki
    i know damn it, what a crappy car!
     
  3. APC123

    APC123 Karting

    Mar 24, 2013
    192
    New England
    Lol pos!
     
  4. TheMayor

    TheMayor Ten Time F1 World Champ
    Rossa Subscribed

    Feb 11, 2008
    106,144
    Vegas baby
    The air vents and HVAC in general on this car are terrible. A Kia has better AC than a 458.


    Sorry, it does. And the spider is worse.
     
  5. hotsauce

    hotsauce Formula Junior

    Jan 23, 2011
    682
    around
    the horizontal arrow to the left is best, take in outside air, AC on, turn off the passenger side if you're not using.

    and yes the aircon blows....
     
  6. alterra16

    alterra16 Rookie

    Jan 22, 2013
    45
    Scottsdale, Az
    I know sounds crazy. Turn up your outside air temp. To around 110F and you will find out what I mean. I live in Phoenix. Opening windows is like sitting in a warming drawer. The a/c itself blows fairly cold, just seems better directional control via vents is needed. Just wanted to make sure it was not isolated to my vents.
     
  7. Entropy

    Entropy Formula 3
    Owner

    Jul 10, 2008
    2,149
    +1

    I'd imagine given the size of the windshield, the heat from the sun on top of the air temps in Vegas or Phoenix sort of challenges the A/C to perform.

    On the east coast, so far the A/C has been totally adequate, though it's clearly not "oversized" like on GM products that can freeze you on demand.

    I use a windshield shade in the summer, makes a big difference on the starting temp in the car.
     
  8. alterra16

    alterra16 Rookie

    Jan 22, 2013
    45
    Scottsdale, Az
    Yes. Temp does come down even out here. I like the california and 599/f12 nozzle outlets. Far better for directional control. I like the air on my face. I am weird that way.
     
  9. PhilNotHill

    PhilNotHill Two Time F1 World Champ
    Owner

    Jul 3, 2006
    27,855
    Aspen CO 81611
    Full Name:
    FelipeNotMassa
    Yes. Turned off the passenger vents and it really helps. Also, driving really fast with the top down and windows down does the trick for me. I don't notice the AC at all. :cool:
     
  10. TheMayor

    TheMayor Ten Time F1 World Champ
    Rossa Subscribed

    Feb 11, 2008
    106,144
    Vegas baby
    Aspen is NOT Las Vegas.

    My biggest beef with the 458 spider was the horrible HVAC system. Not only is it unaffective, noisy to the point of needing to yell over it, useless at anything less than Max, and have vents that don't direct airflow well -- the condenser cooling fan is incredibly loud and annoying. At a stop light, its like a high pitched whine constantly in your ear. Instead of hearing the engine, you hear an electric fan going weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee! all the time.

    I've complained to Ferrari. I hope they actually listen. Whoever designed the HVAC in the 458 spider should be fired.
     
  11. RBK

    RBK F1 Rookie

    Jul 27, 2006
    3,105
    Calif and Nev
    Full Name:
    Bob
    I have heavily tinted windows on all cars including my 458, for Las Vegas, which helps quite a bit. As said, the A/C is not the best and if you turn it on full blast for awhile it will "eventually" do the job. I like the feature on the BMW , Jeep, and Cadillac, to turn the car and air on before I get there (got to thank those people).Best
     
  12. wlt

    wlt Karting

    Feb 15, 2013
    171
    Dallas
    Delphi/GM supplies the HVAC for the 458 (along with several other parts). I believe not only for the 458, but also for other models for two decades.
     
  13. TheMayor

    TheMayor Ten Time F1 World Champ
    Rossa Subscribed

    Feb 11, 2008
    106,144
    Vegas baby

    It's not the components. It's the design of the installation and air ducting that's the problem. You can take the same components and design a system that is great or is crappy.

    My feeling is that the ducting is the reason for the poor airflow, the vents are poorly designed, the fan motor is underpowered, the control of the fan has poor software for this application, and the condenser fan poorly placed in the front as it it overloaded.
     
  14. alterra16

    alterra16 Rookie

    Jan 22, 2013
    45
    Scottsdale, Az
    From a performance standpoint these cars are unbeatable. From a beauty standpoint nothing compares. But, from an ergonomic perspective there are a few issues that could use addressing. Another issue I have is trying to find a comfortable position for my left foot. The desert really can uncover a poorly designed hvac system.
    On another temperature issue, I have noticed my front tire temps around 150f. Is this going to cause any issues?
     
  15. gilly6993

    gilly6993 F1 Rookie

    Aug 20, 2009
    2,558
    Longmeadow, MA
    Full Name:
    Eric
    I'm glad I'm not the only one with this complaint....it is what it is though....
     

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