AC Tips?
Member
Joined: Oct 2020
Posts: 883
From: MA
Based on your user name, I'm guessing that you have a black Fit. I foolishly drove a black car when I turned 16 and came to hate it with a passion. I grew up on a dusty dirt/gravel road (so my car always looked horrible) in the Midwest (so it was baking hot inside for 6+ months of the year). Never again for me.
There's not a lot you can do to change the basic operation of the A/C system.
From a maintenance standpoint:
1) Make sure your A/C system is operating as it should, including getting your refrigerant checked if you think you have an issue.
2) Maybe change the cabin air filter if it has been in there a while or is dirty.
From a usage standpoint:
1) If your car is already hot inside, drive with the windows open for a minute or two to clear the hot air, then switch on the A/C, then close the windows.
2) If you're driving by yourself, close the passenger side vents (before you start driving) to direct more cool air to you.
3) Definitely use a sun shade in your windshield when parked. If you're using a sun shade, face the windshield into the sun to maximize the shade.
4) Consider window tint on the other windows. I've heard that ceramic tint blocks almost all IR and reduces heat gain by quite a bit but I suspect any positive effect of window tint will be overwhelmed by the rest of the black car.
5) I installed vent visors (other folks call them rain guards) a few years ago which allows me to keep the front windows cracked when the car is parked. Every little bit of air movement helps.
There's not a lot you can do to change the basic operation of the A/C system.
From a maintenance standpoint:
1) Make sure your A/C system is operating as it should, including getting your refrigerant checked if you think you have an issue.
2) Maybe change the cabin air filter if it has been in there a while or is dirty.
From a usage standpoint:
1) If your car is already hot inside, drive with the windows open for a minute or two to clear the hot air, then switch on the A/C, then close the windows.
2) If you're driving by yourself, close the passenger side vents (before you start driving) to direct more cool air to you.
3) Definitely use a sun shade in your windshield when parked. If you're using a sun shade, face the windshield into the sun to maximize the shade.
4) Consider window tint on the other windows. I've heard that ceramic tint blocks almost all IR and reduces heat gain by quite a bit but I suspect any positive effect of window tint will be overwhelmed by the rest of the black car.
5) I installed vent visors (other folks call them rain guards) a few years ago which allows me to keep the front windows cracked when the car is parked. Every little bit of air movement helps.
Thread Starter
|
Member
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 534
From: Asheville, NC
Thank you! I try to do all that. I haven’t had my AC checked..it’s always been like this. The FIT has a hard time getting the AC to the back seat, where my dog is. I can swelter if necessary, but I don’t want to my dog to get hot!
Member
Joined: Oct 2020
Posts: 883
From: MA
If you want to get cool air to the back seat, maybe try to close the outside vent on both the driver and passenger side. This will force more airflow to the central vents where it will be aimed between the front seats.
They also make small fans that can plug into the power outlet on the dash. You might be able to secure the fan between the front seats to help push a bit more cool air to the back.
They also make small fans that can plug into the power outlet on the dash. You might be able to secure the fan between the front seats to help push a bit more cool air to the back.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
redludesh
Fit DIY: Repair & Maintenance
6
Jul 22, 2018 02:20 PM
strepto
Fit Engine Modifications, Motor Swaps, ECU Tuning
14
Jan 20, 2006 11:18 AM