2018 Civic Hatchback AC

Axatax · Jul 20, 2018

cocoroos said:
True--I'm not sure what trim OP has.

Even the LX has auto climate controls.

AndyAndromeda-AUS · Jul 20, 2018

I find the AC to cold.

Anything below 25°C is a bit cold tho.

Gruber · Jul 20, 2018

Stapleface said:
As was mentioned earlier, the hatchback has more space to cool. Not only that, you're getting more thermal heating due to the hatch having glass (greenhouse effect) vs the glass of the sedan. Tinting the windows (if not done already) would most likely reduce the heat buildup in the car, which would make the job the AC has to do easier.

Actually, no "greenhouse effect" plays any role in how hot the car interior gets. If there was sheet metal instead of windows it would be just as hot inside.
I guess window tint vendors say something else, and it's not surprising.

Stapleface · Jul 20, 2018

In all of my years of having cars with lots of glass they have always been hotter than cars without as much glass. If having the sun enter the car through the windows didn't have any effect, why is a car always cooler when I use a sunshade?

Sticks · Jul 20, 2018

Gruber said:
Actually, no "greenhouse effect" plays any role in how hot the car interior gets. If there was sheet metal instead of windows it would be just as hot inside.
I guess window tint vendors say something else, and it's not surprising.

Would love to see your factual data to support your comment. My empirical data says otherwise. Had a '97 Corvette with the tinted transparent top. Unbearable in AZ until I added a sun shade. Had a '13 MINI with the dual sunroofs. Flimsy sun shade that didn't do much. Added a total black-out accessory, and interior temps dropped dramatically. My '16 Vette has a different windshield slope than my previous two C6 Corvettes. It gets much hotter than those C6's did. Brought a '99 Jeep from Chicago to AZ, with no tint other than original equipment. We were warm. Bought a '05 Jeep, tinted the windows, and it made a world of difference. I rest my case.

OP may have compressor or other issues, but having more interior volume, and that hatch glass will definitely make the A/C work a little harder.

warsaws · Jul 21, 2018

It’s 112 degrees out here and my Civic blows icy air.

Gruber · Jul 21, 2018

If the sun is hitting you directly through the sunroof, you will feel the heat, but the car interior will not be any hotter. Without a shade the dasboard and steering wheel will be hotter than with a shade but temperature inside the car will be practically the same. Only a thermometer placed in shadow inside the car can give you any reliable information. Windows are only a small fraction of car surface visible to the sun. Even when windows do work to increase the temperature, it is simply because they make it possible for the Sun to heat directly the surfaces inside the car (nstead of only the outside shell), not because of what is called the "greenhouse effect."

TLAPkenn · Jul 23, 2018

I am not sure if you noticed this, but the A/C runs on a more conservative fan speed when the car is set to Econ mode. The blower/compressor doesn't run at full strength when you are in Econ mode--even if you have "max A/C" on.

Perhaps try switching off Econ on those extremely hot/humid days?

damudave · Jul 23, 2018

AgVet said:
The AC in my 2018 hatch seems extremely weak. Like, it hardly blows at anything other than max. What's more is that the temperature difference from the 'Lo' setting to, say 75 or 80 doesn't seem like much of a difference at all. Is this just the car or is my AC possibly defunct? I've been very underwhelmed with the A/C now that temps are getting up in the mid hundreds.

Try turning off the Eco? It works so much better. We hit 120 here in LA a few weeks back and I survived in my car. It was nice and cool. My 2018 hatchback came with those black leather cat skin interior too.

Shankmeyster · Jul 23, 2018

ECO has been found to be a waste and hasn't really turned out any more mpg than standard on anyone who tried it. As to the AC problem, there are multiple threads on here about leaking compressors and condensers that will cause you to have not enough cooling. I live in AZ and have no problem getting the AC to blow cold within 1 min of driving.

AgVet · Jul 25, 2018

Sorry, was gone for a bit. To address some things:

1) ECO is off. I literally never use it. It makes performance clown like.

2) It's EX level trim.

3) Windows are tinted. I don't know to what level but it's a considerable difference looking through the tint vs through an open window.

4) A/C button is on of course, as well as the recycling of air through the cabin.

5) My passenger vents are weak as all get out. Like, non-existent compared to driver side in terms of air pushed. Temperature is the same.

6) I get that when the cabin is 100 degrees then 72 and 'Lo' will be the same. But even after it's equilibrated there won't be any difference between having it set to 75 and 'Lo'

I plan to just have it looked at. I do think there's an actual problem. I started to notice it when I started having to use AC in this thing. The problem's just exacerbated now that temperatures are approaching ridiculous heights.

Shankmeyster · Jul 25, 2018

All vents should be blowing the same amount and same temps unless you have each side set differently on upper level trims. Need to take it in for this for sure.

lopcd · Dec 11, 2018

Jules said:
Hello, I'm new just joined today. I have searched high and low on the internet trying to find some one with similar/same issues and voila! I took ownership of my 2018 Honda Civic Touring Hatchback/Manual in Dec 2017, so I only ever "test drove" the 2017 model. The "whistling" noise started for me in June 2018 once I started using the AC, and since then it has graduated to "screeching, screaming, shrilling, whining ...." its is so unpleasant I have fell out of love with the car, and cant play music loud enough to drown out the noise. I have been to my local dealership 12+ times over this issue with no resolve in sight. They are unable to diagnose the problem with the AC, however, I was told, the unpleasant noise that my AC is making is classified as a normal characteristic for vehicles equipped with a variable displacement compressor and that there is nothing they can do and I have to live with it. I was "pushed" off onto Honda Canada (Customer Relations) and opened a file with them on Oct 4th, was assigned a mediator on Nov 7th, and until just a few days ago (Dec 7th) after my "investigation" into the issue took place, my discussion with a mediator came to an end. I am now told, there is NO resolution and that I should find another dealership/Honda service center to go. I am now experiencing similar/same sounds when the heat/defrost is on and there also seems to be a lack of air quantity moving through the vents as I am experiencing foggy windows where I have to wipe the interior. I need a Honda service center that have experience with this type of fix or that has replaced/repaired the AC or any of the AC components for the year/make/model of my car. If this info can be shared on this forum, please do, I am desperate, I need a Honda service center where I can take my car to get this matter fixed. I am in Peterborough, Ontario and am willing to drive any distance within my province to get this issue fixed. Thank you.

I used Waterloo Honda for my replacements, they diagnosed the issue using a device and confirmed the factory unit was defective. When they replaced it with new parts, the new parts were also defective. They claimed this was a coincidence, but I find that hard to believe. Either way, since they confirmed it was a problem I think they were under the obligation to try to fix it. My third unit was installed and it stopped making the whistling sound but now its back, but significantly quieter than before.

Dis4Damion · Dec 12, 2018

AgVet said:
The AC in my 2018 hatch seems extremely weak. Like, it hardly blows at anything other than max. What's more is that the temperature difference from the 'Lo' setting to, say 75 or 80 doesn't seem like much of a difference at all. Is this just the car or is my AC possibly defunct? I've been very underwhelmed with the A/C now that temps are getting up in the mid hundreds.

One thing I've noticed is that the A/C is weak when the ECON mode is on. Not an issue with the heat though. Everything works fine with ECON off.

2018 Civic Hatchback AC

Axatax

AndyAndromeda-AUS

AndyAndromeda

Gruber

Senior Member

Stapleface

New Member

Sticks

Member

warsaws

Senior Member

Gruber

Senior Member

TLAPkenn

TLAP Kenn

damudave

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Shankmeyster

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AgVet

Member

Shankmeyster

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lopcd

Dis4Damion

Senior Member

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