I live in North Carolina where it can get quite hot. Is the A/C good enough in my new 2013 Fit to keep me cool in the summer or do I need to begin searching for shops that apply window tinting film?

 

If you park in the sun you're likely to be annoyed with how long it takes to cool down.

Last summer when it got to 105F here it was up to the task.

Tinting will help, but rolling down the windows and exhausting the superhot air from inside is probably more effective.

 

I live in AZ and the AC is adequate for this climate and capable of maintaining comfortable interior temperatures. You'll need to follow the cool down process outlined in the owners manual. I also wouldn't leave the garage without window tint.

My first Honda was a new '76 CIVIC CVCC which wasn't offered with factory AC. The after market AC hung under the dash and was just about worthless but the car was fantastic.

 

I'm getting tint regardless.
In Austin last summer it was regular to see 117 F.

Having heard all of the complaints about the Fit's AC compressor kicking off at stops and high traffic situations, I'll also look into a method for bypassing this fuel efficiency "feature". Not sure if that's exactly what's happening, but that's what a Honda technician said it was.
If I want the AC off to save fuel, I will do that Honda. Otherwise, I'd like to be comfy, but thanks anyway.

Has anyone noticed the AC getting weak at stops and in traffic or is it just weak period?
I think this is relevant to OP's question.

 

Any automotive A/C is at less than peak performance at idle. You need a couple thousand RPMs and enough air going through the condenser to have full cooling. The Fit isn't any different in this respect.

All small cars deactivate the A/C compressor when accelerating above a certain amount for extra power to the wheels. It's not about fuel efficiency (unless you count the fact it has a small engine). Disabling the feature would require reprogramming the ECU. I don't think you want to do this. The Fit isn't any different in this respect.

The Fit's A/C does seem a little underpowered for the amount of glass it has to deal with. Someone (polaski) did an excellent write up on overriding the thermal limiting resistor embedded in the evaporator. This device helps keep the evaporator from freezing, but may limit the A/C's performance. Polaski's mod changes the resistance making the ECU think the evap is warmer than it actually is, causing the compressor to run more. Here's a link.

I think the A/C is set up for more economy than other cars, so there may be something to Polaski's mod. But I wouldn't go trying it before deciding if it cools well enough on its own. I was impressed last summer that I kept cool on record breaking heat days.

 

I bought this car in December and its quite cold right now here in Socal so i havent had a chance to blast the AC yet but i have read number of articles stating the AC sucks ass if its anything above 100deg.

 

It actually seems to ramp-up capacity above 90F and cools better than when it's in the mid 80s. I wish it was stronger; if I didn't have covered parking I'd be wrapping it in aluminum foil and leaving ice-trays inside.

 

Having the windows tinted will help greatly as it does in mine. I would suggest getting the darkest tint that is legally allowed in your state. Here in Alabama 35% is as dark as I could go and still be legal, but I really would have liked it to be a shade or two darker as it really doesn't look very dark at all. Also, getting a dark strip covering the 6" or so on the top of the windshield helps. Even on a bright sunny day most of the time I don't feel the need to wear sun glasses because the strip at the top of the windshield does such a good job.

-Dustin

 

Thank you for pointing me in the right direction. I'll talk to the techs who thought the compressor was kicking off for fuel econ in the city. (Actually, I am unfortunately aware that compressors kick off at high rpm to save themselves..lol Happened to a friend when he converted a non-AC BMW to AC himself)

So the underlying issue really is just that the capacity of the condenser is just bleh, then.. I'll go ask the parts folks if these condensers are parallel flow or not. That would make a significant improvement installing one if they are not.

Again, thanks for the link. Hadn't seen that yet.