It is impossible to select either 'defrost/feet' OR 'defrost' WITHOUT the air-conditioning turning on. [and you CAN'T turn it off] I find that VERY annoying. I hope the NEW Accord has gone back to the old 'way' of letting you defeat [as in TURN OFF] the air-conditioning IF you want to. [regardless of WHERE you choose to direct the air flow]
The Accord works like that (can be defeated) but the '01-'02 Civic can't be turned off. We have actually had customers have the A/C relay removed for that reason!
I don't, however understand why you would want to turn off the defrost A/C function. The A/C is dehumidifying the air which does a faster, better job of defrost. In some (most?) climates, defrost is only adequate without A/C help. Domestics have been this way for years.
Well - obviously I'm not alone [with my objection to the A/C going on and STAYING on when in the defrost mode] IF you have had customers ask you to REMOVE the A/C relay.
Almost 99% of the time I prefer to have the air flow directed at both my feet and the windshield. I want to decide [for myself] IF I want the A/C on all the time. Besides - especially on smaller engined cars - A./C drains engine power and lowers the fuel economy.
AND... having owned over 55 cars [domestic and 'foreign'] I can tell you that MOST cars do NOT force you to have the A/C on while in the 'defrost' mode. [and those that DO - allow you - as you say the Accord does - to 'defeat' the A/C]
Besides - IF it is such a great idea [to have the A/C on when in 'defrost' mode - whether you want it on or not] WHY would the Accord allow you to turn it off??
The flip side is we were getting a lot of complaints about inadequate defrosting which almost always had to do with not running the A/C during defrost. Subsequently, Honda changed their way of thinking during the 01 civic redesign.
Don't get me wrong, I think you should have the option to switch it off, but I agree with Honda (and others - GM most notably) that it should come on by default.
The defrost in my Contour kicks in automaticly too. As said before, it does so to remove the mosture from interior and "defrost" the windows...
Just remember, most domestics don't even let you chose where the AC blows from. This doesn't begin to mention the misconception about "MAX A/C" settings, which is the same as re-circled in a foriegn car...
I am not sure what year and model of Honda you have and my 99 Crv do the same thing except I can shut off the A/C by pressing the switch again.
The only reason I can think off is that with the cold winter they wouldn't want us to blow warm air directly to the wind shield and cracked the glass. The funny thing being that operating the A/C in an already freezing interior.
Hope this feature is taken out of the new model or can be switch off.
poweda wrote: I don't, however understand why you would want to turn off the defrost A/C function. The A/C is dehumidifying the air which does a faster, better job of defrost. In some (most?) climates, defrost is only adequate without A/C help. Domestics have been this way for years.
Turning off the AC will give the puny Civic engine a bit more power on take off. It helps to have this function.
fords do this same thing. but i guess no one cares about that because that doesn't fall under the "lets hate honda" trend thats been going on strong as of late...
OK, now I have seen several explanations about why the AC comes on automatically and whether or not you can defeat it. Here is the accurate answer once and for all:
Point 1: It comes on automatically as it should to prevent more humid air from condensing on your inside windshield (windows). As your windshield is cold in winter, any warmed up air coming into the vehicle contains more water. Just like when you blow your breath onto relatively colder surfaces.
By dehumidifying the air, you effectively defrost your windows much faster. Test it for yourself with and without the A/C. The defrost / defog rate is far superior with it on.
Point 2: About defeating: Some vehicles allow it, some don't. My 2000 Accord certainly does. My 1996 Pontiac Trans Sport (Cannot afford an odyssey) does NOT...(stupid).
So IMO it makes sense to have it come on automatically, but it also makes sense to be able to defeat it. Also as another point, I don't believe I have ever owned a vehicle that is as efficient at heating, cooling, defrosting (outside mirrors included), etc as my 2000 accord.
CanadaCraig wrote: It is impossible to select either 'defrost/feet' OR 'defrost' WITHOUT the air-conditioning turning on. [and you CAN'T turn it off] I find that VERY annoying. I hope the NEW Accord has gone back to the old 'way' of letting you defeat [as in TURN OFF] the air-conditioning IF you want to. [regardless of WHERE you choose to direct the air flow]
Did all that make sense??
Craig!! :o)
You can turn off a/c in current Accords, if that is the car you're talking about. Couldn't do that in Toyotas.
On both the Civic and the Accord, you can reprogram it not to do that. If you send me an email to josh@niagarahonda.com, you will remind me to ask our service manager. I will tell you how to do it when I ask him. I has something to do with holding the A/C button down while turning the car off and on. Send me an email so I get it at work and I can ask him then.
Renegade Chemist wrote: On both the Civic and the Accord, you can reprogram it not to do that. If you send me an email to josh@niagarahonda.com, you will remind me to ask our service manager. I will tell you how to do it when I ask him. I has something to do with holding the A/C button down while turning the car off and on. Send me an email so I get it at work and I can ask him then.
Here's how I did it on my 02 CR-V:
1. Have car turned off
2. Turn vent knob to "Top Vent"
3. Turn temperature knob counter-clockwise to full blue
4. While holding both "recirculate" and "A/C", start engine and continue to hold both buttons for 7 seconds and until light stops flashing.
A/C will still turn on automatically when you select either "Defrost" setting, but you will be able to turn off A/C by tapping its button.
Annoyed with how you can't turn off the A/C when you turn to defog? Here's the override (realize that A/C expediates the defog process):
1. Turn Car Off.
2. Turn Temperature Knob To Full Blue (All the way to the left - Counter-Clock Wise).
3. Turn Vent Knob To Off (All the way to the left - Counter-Clock Wise).
4. Hold Down Air Recirculation Button As Well As A/C Button.
5. Keep Both Buttons Depressed and Start Car.
6. Keep Both Buttons Depressed for 7 Seconds.
*AC LIGHT SHOULD BLINK*
You will now have control of your A/C regardless of what setting you are in, to revert back, simply repeat the procedure.
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