I have 9 Miniature Schnauzers, my wife is into Min Sch rescue. I really want to get an element, I drive 30K - 40K per year live in NJ and it gets hot. If I take the back seats out of the Element, and put the dog beds in (like I do with our Volvo Wagon, will the AC keep the rear area cool for the dogs?? This is a critical factor for the purchase or non purchase of the Element. Looking for those of you who have used the element in hot weather with Dogs??

Thanks

:)

I have 9 Miniature Schnauzers, my wife is into Min Sch rescue. I really want to get an element, I drive 30K - 40K per year live in NJ and it gets hot. If I take the back seats out of the Element, and put the dog beds in (like I do with our Volvo Wagon, will the AC keep the rear area cool for the dogs?? This is a critical factor for the purchase or non purchase of the Element. Looking for those of you who have used the element in hot weather with Dogs??

Thanks

:)

South Florida here and yes it stays pretty cool back there. I opted out of the 4WD because of the sunroof. It probably is not as cool as a car with rear A/C but my dog seems to be fine back there. As with any vehicle, start it up and let it cool down on MAX A/C before loading multiple dogs in there as all those bodies generate a lot of heat. When it is super hot I will run a battery operated fan on the big arm rest for a bit to get the cool air back there quicker.

Kalinka

TIn Houston, we don't have a problem if we crank up the A/C. It gets cold quickly and keeps the vehicle cool and comfortable for dogs and humans both.

NINE 9 Miniature Schnauzers!?! :???: Wow. Where do you go where you would need to take all 9 of them at the same time? :D

even if you get an AWD E, it doesn't get that hot back there as long as the Max AC is working with the sunroof, on realy sunny days to lug my dog around I customized one of those window shades people have for their babies they stick on their rear windows, I just use clothes pins to keep it attached to the ceiling of the car.

We let our ****er spaniel and our scottish terrier ride in the back be hind the seats. I put a bed down for them and keep cold water in the mini frindge. We don't have a sun protector for the rear sunroof yet, but the a/c on hi keeps them cool. They love to ride with us.

http://www.elementownersclub.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=21104&stc=1&d=1155090808 http://www.elementownersclub.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=21103&stc=1&d=1155090808
Oh my. It won't let me say ****er spaniel, Pele is going to have his feelings hurt if I tell him this.

My cats don't seem to mind. And since I normally keep the back seats out, they have plenty of room for their stuff in the back.

Depending on how you travel, and how long you intend to have the puppies in the Element, you may want to consider a shade for the sun roof. That is, should you select a model that has the sun roof i.e. 4WD EX.

Best of luck.