Poor Heat out of Floor Vents in EX35...Thoughts?

[Lapin]

I purchased my girl on October 27, 2015 and I've noticed (particularly because it is starting to get cold in Canada) that the floor vents are not pumping out a lot of heat...and there's not a lot of airflow either. The top vents and defrost work great...lots of power and heat at full blast and 32C. I have tried every combination of auto, dual, manual, defrost, letting the car warm up etc. When I put it strictly on feet, the air is just, well, Meh. It never warms up fully on my 25 minute drive to work and I hate having cold feet (Yes, first-world problems).

After doing some research on the G37 forum, I narrowed it down to one of two issues: a blend-door actuator issue or mode-door actuator issue. As the floor vents on both the driver and passenger side are meh, I figured it would be the mode-door actuator.

I took it to the new Infiniti Gallery in Calgary last week and explained my problem. Don't think they put "check mode door actuator" on the work order though. I got a full diagnostic and the tested the HVAC system and everything was working fine. I was told to bring it back if it's still an issue and before I do that again, I thought I would consult the brain trust on this forum to get some ideas. For owners in colder climates, how well does the heat in your floor vents work? Should it be as warm and as powerful as the face vents?

Thanks for any advice.

[nate2011]

For any restricted cabin air flow - i'd start with a look at and replacement of the cabin air filter - below & behind the glove box.

When I got my 2011 EX about 6 months ago - I wanted to base line fluids and filters - the cabin filter was dirty and changing it out wasn't too tough and offered cleaner unrestricted cabin air flow....

Your floor vent air flow issue may be more complicated but it could also be that simple.

[ArcticBlue]

My floor vents do indeed put out hot enough air to be downright excessive when I crank up the temp settings.....

[XIS]

Just to twist the knife a little
I am still using my AC here in the desert...in the afternoon. In the morning, I am finally turning on my heated seats, but haven't used the heater yet.

FInd a quiet place. turn on the power but don't start the car (so you can hear)... turn on your heater (LOW to stay as quiet as you can) and then listen down by your pedals (or the passenger side floor) and cycle through the modes. See if you can hear the actuators moving the doors of the vents. (I have had to do some actuator 'cleaning' on my wife's Lexus and you can clearly hear the doors either opening or trying to open) OR you can move to the desert!

[Lapin]

Just to twist the knife a little
I am still using my AC here in the desert...in the afternoon. In the morning, I am finally turning on my heated seats, but haven't used the heater yet.

FInd a quiet place. turn on the power but don't start the car (so you can hear)... turn on your heater (LOW to stay as quiet as you can) and then listen down by your pedals (or the passenger side floor) and cycle through the modes. See if you can hear the actuators moving the doors of the vents. (I have had to do some actuator 'cleaning' on my wife's Lexus and you can clearly hear the doors either opening or trying to open) OR you can move to the desert!

Well my A/C button automatically switches on when I hit defrost.

Great suggestion. I will try this first before tackling the in-cabin filter. I imagine if it's trying to open, it will click repeatedly? And are the Actuators difficult to get to if there is any issue/needs cleaning or would this be best left to Infiniti?

Yesterday, I had my friend sitting in the passenger seat and comparing heat intensities between the face and floor vents. Definitely not as powerful at the floor, nor as warm. I wonder if ambient temperature has anything to do with the heat intensity. Is there a sensor that only allows the cabin to warm up to certain temperature based on outside temperature?