I really hope I'm wrong about this... Goofy Climate Control

[ihatecats78]

So far as I can tell, the rear and front climate control on this vehicle operate completely independently. The front temperature is controlled via the auto/manual controls.

The rear temperature is controlled by a little rotating wheel that seems to adjust from cold to hot.

The really, really stupid thing (unless I'm doing this wrong), is that there is no way for the driver to assume control of the rear seat temperature. That means, that in addition to setting my front temp, I have to reach behind my center console and rotate the knob to what I estimate it should be. Otherwise I run the risk of my climate control system working against itself.

There have already been a couple times when I have had rear seat passengers ask me why the vents in back were blowing freezing cold air on them when it was cold outside and I had my heater on. By the way, I typically run my climate control on auto, which I thought would take control of everything.

So far as I can tell, there isn't anything in the climate menu or settings to make me able to control the rear vents from the drivers seat.

If this is the case, I consider this to be a significant design flaw. It is absurd to expect the driver of a vehicle to reach into the back seat and rotate a knob to make sure the air flowing from rear vents is the right temperature.

Please, somebody.. anybody tell me that I have this all wrong.

 

[CajunStinger]

Doesn't the Sync button overwrite the rear climate control temperature until the knob is adjusted?

 

[ihatecats78]

I'll have to check this, but I usually use Auto and sync (my passengers can kiss off.. It's my car and it'll be my temperature). Unless I'm dead wrong, the sync button was lit up and the rear vent was still blowing different temperature air. I will triple verify this on the way home, but the manual doesn't say anything about assuming control of the rear temp.

In every other vehicle I've had with rear climate control, the sync button assumed control of passenger and rear temps.

 

[MurlinatoR]

View attachment 339

So far as I can tell, the rear and front climate control on this vehicle operate completely independently. The front temperature is controlled via the auto/manual controls.

The rear temperature is controlled by a little rotating wheel that seems to adjust from cold to hot.

The really, really stupid thing (unless I'm doing this wrong), is that there is no way for the driver to assume control of the rear seat temperature. That means, that in addition to setting my front temp, I have to reach behind my center console and rotate the knob to what I estimate it should be. Otherwise I run the risk of my climate control system working against itself.

There have already been a couple times when I have had rear seat passengers ask me why the vents in back were blowing freezing cold air on them when it was cold outside and I had my heater on. By the way, I typically run my climate control on auto, which I thought would take control of everything.

So far as I can tell, there isn't anything in the climate menu or settings to make me able to control the rear vents from the drivers seat.

If this is the case, I consider this to be a significant design flaw. It is absurd to expect the driver of a vehicle to reach into the back seat and rotate a knob to make sure the air flowing from rear vents is the right temperature.

Please, somebody.. anybody tell me that I have this all wrong.

It is as is stated in the manual.

Doesn't the Sync button overwrite the rear climate control temperature until the knob is adjusted?

The rear climate control temperature is solely controlled by the temperature adjuster in the rear counsel. A rear passenger has the full control of the temperature of the rear vents. Now, the speed of the air supplied to the rear IS controlled by the auto/manual climate control from the front. More circulation in the front will also equal more circulation in the rear.

I'll have to check this, but I usually use Auto and sync (my passengers can kiss off.. It's my car and it'll be my temperature). Unless I'm dead wrong, the sync button was lit up and the rear vent was still blowing different temperature air. I will triple verify this on the way home, but the manual doesn't say anything about assuming control of the rear temp.

In every other vehicle I've had with rear climate control, the sync button assumed control of passenger and rear temps.

In reality, there will never be a time when the rear seat will need A/C in January or need heat in July. Even if you left it in the middle providing blended air, the number of times that it would need to be adjusted from the front is very minimal.

 

[ihatecats78]

It is as is stated in the manual.



The rear climate control temperature is solely controlled by the temperature adjuster in the rear counsel. A rear passenger has the full control of the temperature of the rear vents. Now, the speed of the air supplied to the rear IS controlled by the auto/manual climate control from the front. More circulation in the front will also equal more circulation in the rear.



In reality, there will never be a time when the rear seat will need A/C in January or need heat in July. Even if you left it in the middle providing blended air, the number of times that it would need to be adjusted from the front is very minimal.

I appreciate your response, but I still feel that it's unacceptable that the only way to control rear air temp is by using the knob in the rear. Given the fact that I have rear seat passengers about 10% of the time, that means that I'm expected to reach into the back seat to adjust air temp.

I love this car as a whole, but this is complete garbage and a fumble by the KIA engineers and developers.

I would rather the rear passengers never have control over the temperature than to have 100% control.

 

[MurlinatoR]

I appreciate your response, but I still feel that it's unacceptable that the only way to control rear air temp is by using the knob in the rear. Given the fact that I have rear seat passengers about 10% of the time, that means that I'm expected to reach into the back seat to adjust air temp.

I love this car as a whole, but this is complete garbage and a fumble by the KIA engineers and developers.

I would rather the rear passengers never have control over the temperature than to have 100% control.

Well, you could always trade the car in on an Audi S5. That would resolve your distaste for a poorly engineered Kia.

 

[CajunStinger]

Thanks for the clarification [MENTION=291]MurlinatoR[/MENTION]

 

[ihatecats78]

Well, you could always trade the car in on an Audi S5. That would resolve your distaste for a poorly engineered Kia.

No reason to be a tool. This is an amazing vehicle and a great value. I don?t care about brand names and I have almost always started every post or complaint with the fact that I love this car in general. The fact that I think this one thing is stupid (and it is) doesn?t mean I don?t like the whole car. With or without the poorly thought out climate control, I would buy this car again in a heartbeat.

Customers like me who are advocates for perfection are the reason why companies improve.

 

[MurlinatoR]

No reason to be a tool. This is an amazing vehicle and a great value. I don?t care about brand names and I have almost always started every post or complaint with the fact that I love this car in general. The fact that I think this one thing is stupid (and it is) doesn?t mean I don?t like the whole car. With or without the poorly thought out climate control, I would buy this car again in a heartbeat.

Customers like me who are advocates for perfection are the reason why companies improve.

Hahahahaha.... I wasn't trying to be a tool, just making a point. EVERY vehicle ever produced has pros and cons. The thought that YOUR idea of the best climate control should be the only option is unrealistic. It's clear by your decision to start a new thread, paste a page from the manual, and to shout loudly at the silly engineers that your opinion of their choice for rear climate control is poor. But it's just that; your opinion. The majority may be perfectly satisfied with the system as it is.

 

[ihatecats78]

You?re 100% correct. It is my opinion that the climate control in this car would be better if I could control the rear vents from the front seats, whether that means some system where the sync button allow me to do so, or like in many vehicles with rear vents, the passengers in the back just have to live with what I choose.

I think auto manufacturers went to a system where I could set the temperature down to the degree for a reason. They felt that giving me that sort of control added value to the car. In my opinion that?s true. It does add value. It?s more precise than a knob with red and blue dots that spits out the air at an unknown temperature.

So here, I have a vehicle with precise controls up front that are battling with old school controls in the back... and there is no way to make them work in harmony unless I am able to guess what a 1/4 inch blue dot means versus a 3/8 inch blue dot.

Love the car for the most part, but I am pretty sure I?m not alone in my opinion regarding this one thing. Feel free to throw up a poll to prove me wrong.

 

[nikpmd]

You?re 100% correct. It is my opinion that the climate control in this car would be better if I could control the rear vents from the front seats, whether that means some system where the sync button allow me to do so, or like in many vehicles with rear vents, the passengers in the back just have to live with what I choose.

I think auto manufacturers went to a system where I could set the temperature down to the degree for a reason. They felt that giving me that sort of control added value to the car. In my opinion that?s true. It does add value. It?s more precise than a knob with red and blue dots that spits out the air at an unknown temperature.

So here, I have a vehicle with precise controls up front that are battling with old school controls in the back... and there is no way to make them work in harmony unless I am able to guess what a 1/4 inch blue dot means versus a 3/8 inch blue dot.

Love the car for the most part, but I am pretty sure I?m not alone in my opinion regarding this one thing. Feel free to throw up a poll to prove me wrong.

I am also of the opinion that there should either be single control for climate control or make it true three zone climate control with same level of control all around.

That said, it?s probably not a big deal for most. You also mention that it?s probably only 10% of the time that you have passengers in the rear. So 90% of the time this is a non issue. My recommendation is don?t let that 10% bother you so much that it gets in the way of enjoying the car. Peace.

Btw, my bimmer functions the same way. So it?s not just Kia. They have to cut cost somewhere right, in order to such a good value.

 

[ihatecats78]

I am also of the opinion that there should either be single control for climate control or make it true three zone climate control with same level of control all around.

That said, it?s probably not a big deal for most. You also mention that it?s probably only 10% of the time that you have passengers in the rear. So 90% of the time this is a non issue. My recommendation is don?t let that 10% bother you so much that it gets in the way of enjoying the car. Peace.

Btw, my bimmer functions the same way. So it?s not just Kia. They have to cut cost somewhere right, in order to such a good value.

Thanks.. this definitely doesn?t keep me from enjoying the car. I compare this level of disappointment to scoring a date with Scarlett Johansson.. but she shows up to my place with a pimple on her forehead. It?s a little distracting, but I?m still stoked with the general situation.

Ditto for the trunk rattle (mine was fixed) and the car shutting off when I open the door after remote starting it. None of these things are deal breakers. I still love this car.

 

[KiwiStinger]

First World problems, eh ?

 

[STINGER]

I agree, I don't like the setup and I am always reaching to the back and checking the temp of the vents with my hands and adjusting the temp cause I always have my kids back their. It is what it is, not everything is perfect.

On a separate note, I feel it is good to post these things no matter how small the problem is. I am sure KIA is reading and will take note to continually improve the product.

 

[Shaddolf]

I don't have a stinger, but I do have rear vents in my car. Why not just keep the vents closed? I just direct rear passengers to open them if they want them, and they can adjust as needed.

 

[Kazz]

FWIW, the rear vents can be closed just like the front, center vents, by rotating the knobs in the center of each vent. This is how our rear vents currently sit.

 

[Stingin' Away]

[MENTION=405]ihatecats78[/MENTION] [MENTION=291]MurlinatoR[/MENTION], play nice you two

 

[kad]

Thanks.. this definitely doesn?t keep me from enjoying the car. I compare this level of disappointment to scoring a date with Scarlett Johansson.. but she shows up to my place with a pimple on her forehead. It?s a little distracting, but I?m still stoked with the general situation.

Ditto for the trunk rattle (mine was fixed) and the car shutting off when I open the door after remote starting it. None of these things are deal breakers. I still love this car.

What's this about a rear rattle? Is the hatch prone to rattling on the stinger? That's one thing I've hated about my BMW 4GC and don't think I'd want to reexperience with a new car.

 

[VegasStinger]

What's this about a rear rattle? Is the hatch prone to rattling on the stinger? That's one thing I've hated about my BMW 4GC and don't think I'd want to reexperience with a new car.

There's a TSB for a trunk rattle
https://www.kiastinger.org/forum/threads/830-Kia-Stinger-Hatch-Trunk-Rattle-TSB-With-New-Parts