I plan on purchasing an LT2 and would like to know if the air conditioning in the HHR can handle desert summer temperatures. I'll be living in Palm Springs, CA where the summer temps can get up to 115+ degrees for extended periods. Thank you.

 

Auto-start and AC rock!!!!! Todd (uma)

 

Yes, the a/c will handle those temp's. WE, here in the Phoenix area, easily experience temperatures in the 100 teens for extended periods. I have no problem with the a/c.

Where you may experience a little problem is with the coolant temperatures while climbing the hills and mountains. I've experienced engine temp's in excess of 235 several times while doing this......especially that long hill east of Palm Springs. Just drive with the coolant temperature indicated on the DIC and use the a/c, and/or common sense, accordingly.

 

It takes it a few minutes for you to really feel it, but yes, it works.

 

X2
When I lived out thataway (it was 118 degrees the day I moved to Palm Desert) I had the same engine temp issue on the long hill headed west up and out of the valley on the 10. I would chicken out and shut off the a/c before reaching the pass and the engine temp would drop to a relatively acceptable level. For us old-timers who remember when a 180 degree engine coolant thermostat was considered 'hot', 235 degrees is somewhere in imminent explosion territory. However, the a/c never had a problem handling the heat...

 

No problem with the A/C cooling here around Phoenix for over 4 Years now with our '06 LS!

 

Like everyone's already said, your A/C will handle the temps there no problem. Mine held up perfectly fine last summer with record highs for this area

 

Mine handles fine in texas

 

Same here. I will say that I did feel the need to tint the front two windows. That made a huge difference.