Hello everyone,,

I posted another thread asking about the Fit's performance driving uphill and someone noted in correlation with that that the a/c in the Fit doesn't get very cold. Do a lot of you Fit owners have that problem? The lack of power/reduction in speed going uphill isn't a deal breaker but a/c that doesn't get cool could be -- I live in GA and it's hot/humid here for most of the year. (We ran a/c at Christmas, for example https://speedtest.vet/ https://vidmate.bid/.)

 

I visit the desert often. The A/C works good for me but I'm also running limo tint on my windows. And run a sunshade when parked. Unless it's 100 degrees or hotter it's just fine.

 

I live in Tampa Bay Florida area with a 2018 EX and I don't have a problem with the A/C.

Besides tinted windows, I have the rain visors on my windows which allows me to leave the windows cracked keeping the interior a little cooler.

 

Also Tampa Bay, tinted 2015 EX, and I'd call the AC adequate. No more, no less.

 

I have a 2007 Fit Sport. The A/C certainly isn't one of its strong points. Has struggled some in the past on very hot days and needed to have some service and refrigerant replacement about 4 years ago - about $300 or so if I remember correctly. Since then it has worked okay, but don't expect it to give you a big blast of cold air!

 

Yep. The Fit's AC in all 3 generations is adequate at best. I live in Las Vegas and we have super hot desert summers. The AC doesn't hold a candle against my Sequoia's AC but that's a big SUV.

 

Coolness was not an issue, but mine will ice up and stop working after about 2 hours of use in high humidity (rideshare driver). So when i notice the blower is not working as well, I switch to vent only for about 15 minutes to let the compressor defrost. Fixes it everytime

 

Cooling was not an issue, but in extreme humidity, mine may ice up and cease working after about 2 hours of use (rideshare driver). So, if I find the blower isn't operating properly, I turn on the vent for around 15 minutes to allow the compressor to defrost. It's always fixed.

 

My compressor failed the day after we returned from a 6K trip out west. Its OEM replacement works vastly better. But the $$, ouch.

 

I can speak about GK only. In my GK5 both A/C and ventilation are below average when compared to other cars in our household. It gets time to cool down after parking a while in hot summer days of Finland. And it's practically impossible to keep all windows clear in cold weather (-20 C / 0 F) if all seats are occupied.

 

The Fit has a small engine which doesn't produce a lot of heat for winter and doesn't have a lot of power to spare for an air conditioning compressor in summer. That's just the way it is. The more efficient Honda tries to make an engine the better the fuel economy but the poorer the heating and air conditioning.

 

I agree with Woof. I live in Phoenix, AZ, so we get really hot summers. Will turn the A/C to highest levels on those days & it does OK. No problems with humidity, as we are really low, down to 5% on some days.

 

When my kid's Fit is loaded heavy with stuff heading to college and back, the additional weight combined with hilly terrain definitely affects A/C cooling.

 

Mine doesn't work so I'd say pretty bad!

I honestly thought it wouldn't be such a big deal since I'm in Central Europe and not, like, Arizona, but driving on the highway last summer was unpleasant. I don't know if it's because it's black, or I'm just used to driving a miata where it's not an issue,

 

Have you checked your coolant to make sure your system isn't under pressurized because coolant is leaking out?

 

The AC condenser is completely busted so the system isn't holding pressure at all, would've been more trouble than it's worth to fix it then

 

I don't agree. 1.5 litre engine isn't so small. I have a vintage Renault with 0.85 litre engine, which has better heating.
The reason to mediocre heating and cooling performance is that it is designed to optimize mpg figures and manufacturing cost. Engine is optimized to utilize the fuel efficiently and hence it is creating less heat. Also the heating coil is designed just sufficient for average conditions to minimize cost and weight. Similarly air-conditioning is just sufficient, but not any bigger to save fuel and cost.

 

Just like my vintage e30 bmw with it's inline 6, you probably have a cast iron block.
The additional weight of that block adds additional weight to the car that makes it consume more fuel.
Cast-iron will also retain heat much better than the all alum design of most cars built today.

So it's a trade-off, better heat and worse fuel economy, or worse heat and better fuel economy.
The majority of drivers would choose the latter, which is why the all alum engine is common today.


EDIT: The only way to get decent heat from these newer, small displacement motors (turbo included) is to beat it like a red-headed stepchild.
Sure, it'll cause additional wear and tear on the engine, but it'll also make the car more comfortable for the occupants (and create enough heat to clear the windows in cold climate).

 

I drove a 1.0l Aygo around Iceland and it had plenty of heat, way more than may Fit. If I had to guess, I think the simplest explanation would be the heater core size and/or design. If a bit of extra weight made a big difference, I think you'd also notice it when you have a passenger.

 

More weight = more stress = more heat