How to turn off AC on Defrost in 2001-2005 Honda Civic - IMPROVES POWER AND FUEL ECONOMY!

How to disable the AC running all the time when using the defrost or defrost+floor vent positions. This was done in a 2001 Civic, in the later years (2003ish to 2005) the AC light operates a bit differently but the same problem is there and this procedure still applies. This is the procedure for the 2001-2005 Civic, for the 2006 to 2011 Civic check my other video.
1. Turn the fan knob to the ON position.
2. Switch to the FACE ONLY vent mode (or DEFROST mode if returning back to factory settings).
3. Turn the temp knob to the HOT setting.
4. Hold down the RECIRCULATION and A/C buttons simultaneously.
5. While holding those two buttons, turn the ignition switch to the RUN position (you don't have to start the car).
6. Keep holding them down until the light stops flashing/goes solid, then release them.

[@Kevin-bn7ym]

I been driving this car for 3years and had no idea.about that trick and my ac has a leak anyways so now I can do this just to turn it off?? Thats awesome!! Thanks man! Saves gas too!

[@diablo9890]

Omg thank you,that used to always bother me cause it feels wierd see the a/c light on during the winter

[@zakuraayame5091]

it comes on because the a/c removes moisture. Hot, dry air. So you want max heat with a/c so the air can 'absorb' as much moisture from the windshield as possible. Also, it is good for your compressor to run on a regular basis as well.

[@EvanED]

YOU ARE MY HERO. I should have searched for a fix to this annoyance years ago.

[@denispoirier19]

Thanks! I agree that it is quite annoying.

[@yanniaspro]

Thank you for this tip.....it always bugged me not being able to turn AC off in defrost mode...Love these videos for 2001 Honda civic.

[@garthsmart4855]

I have an 02 crv and it’s pain in the ass whenever I turn the defroster on the ac kick especially in the middle of winter but thanks this video.. even though it says civic but this procedure worked on my crv and I’m happy..bless up to this video and KZbin!!!

[@Oldude98]

This helped me on my uncles car. When he turns his defrost on Ik the mornings his ac compressor will come on and the clutch is bad in it and it made a high squeling noise. Now it doesn’t do that thanks to you once again.

[@denispoirier19]

Awesome! Glad I could help with your situation.

[@pghsteelerfan4399]

Thank you so much for posting this info, it has always drove me crazy that you had to have the compressor running in order to use the defroster.

[@Sennner9]

Thank you so much. I just wanted to add that, this procedure worked on my Niece's Honda CRV 2000 also.

[@RobertJToledo]

Wow! I've owned my EM2 since brand new in 2002, I'm the original owner and never knew that! Thanks!

[@gideonellis4596]

Wasn't even looking for this but super helpful I've been wondering about that.

[@zone07]

Where were you in 2001!!!! Oh wait; KZbin didn't exist then. You sir are excused and thank you for the great info. I still have my 01' running smoothly and now will be able to turn off that damn AC when defrosting!

[@denispoirier19]

Zone07 Great!

[@gabrielespinoza2228]

Thank you so much for this hack. I was today years old when I found out bout thus hack for the defog. Now I like my civic even more.

[@denispoirier19]

Haha awesome! Thanks for the feedback

[@charlesj.murphy51]

Thank you so much my 2002 Acura 1.7 sport was driving me crazy over this. Thanks a ton.

[@denispoirier19]

Awesome, you're welcome!

[@jjdd4307]

Omg thank God for you and this video. The defrost would NEVER remove the fog from my window because the AC would stay on during defrost mode.

[@denispoirier19]

Thanks for the feedback!

[@JohnPaul-me8dm]

Did it this morning and it worked! Thanks for your help!

[@denispoirier19]

Awesome! Thanks for the feedback

[@jameswilson6770]

I've been wanting to do this since 2001! Thank you!

[@denispoirier19]

lol! sorry for being 17 years late!

[@Hdtyt]

Thank you so much for a great video and explication. this video deserves way more likes for surs.

[@michaelpang2341]

Thanks for the pointer on getting this AC control changed.

[@neilv6754]

Great video. Just fixed mine. That was driving me crazy. Thanks.

[@chriskaprys]

thank you so much! i have a loud squeak in a belt when the A/C is turned on (for cold or hot air), which also turns on the CEL after 10-15 minutes of driving. in the summer i got by without using the A/C for cold air, but now that the snow is here and i need the defrost i'm really happy to find out there's a way to use it without turning on the A/C. very useful! thanks!

[@denispoirier19]

Awesome!

[@highflyer5311]

Worked perfectly fine for my 2002 honda civic you are amazing thanks

[@denispoirier19]

Awesome! Thanks

[@marcusf4750]

woooooooooooooooooooww thank you so much. you have solved a Many years long problem for me. I live in Canada and when it is -30 and my windows are fogged id freeze with that dam ac on and it wouldn't do me any good . first snowfall here in Toronto and I ran into the same yearly problem and it was driving me nuts . thank you so much for this video you don't understand!! wow

[@denispoirier19]

Awesome!

[@diamonds107]

we got it to work!!! THANK YOU SO MUCH! U are a GENIUS!

[@alexandremondo]

Thanks man, this knowledge is gold!

[@leoshepherd1982]

Now that's informative..good job brethren

[@denispoirier19]

Thank you!

[@olmec_____5536]

Wow very cool!! I always wondered why the heck the ac button would never turn off in my 02 civic haha. Shes off now 🤗

[@codycollins7488]

Thanks bro worked great couldnt figure out for the longest time

[@denispoirier19]

Awesome! Congrats

[@curtisedie4280]

Thank you soo much my ac no longer works and causes my motor to rev high and burn gas. Thank you. You have saved me a ton of money in gas!

[@denispoirier19]

Awesome thanks for the feedback

[@elijahbarrett798]

GOD BLESS THIS ALGORITHM Been wondering how to fix this

[@AbeAleman]

it worked great! thanks so much for your help!

[@jessejames1306]

Worked perfect cheers dude

[@tomlyons5457]

Man I don't know how you figured this out.(probly a manual lol) but hell yea! This bugged the hell out of me. Thanks alot 👍

[@sav4ged]

Wow I have had my 01 since 01 and I even remember taking it in to Honda asking them whats up with that and they offered no solution. For 14 years I had no idea and hardly used my defroster because I didn't want to waste gas running the AC. Wont go as far as saying its like a i have a new car now but it is nice to have finally been able to shut that AC off.

[@denispoirier19]

100% agreed, almost all cars are like this now. At least Honda gave us a way to disable it, most other manufacturers don't.

[@JJ-cl7nu]

thank you so much i have the car for 5 year and i never know how to turn it off and wasted so much ac every year lol. thank you

[@MrFastFox666]

Great vid man. This always annoyed me because the outside of my windshield is usually foggy in the mornings. You can use the wipers but it fogs up again in a few seconds. Edit: so I tried this and the recirculation light blinked, but then the recirculation light stayed on, so for me, this likely changed something with recirculation (haven't had time to figure out what exactly) For me, what worked was to turn the fan off, heat off (all thje way on blue) and blow on your face only. I then did the button thing and it worked. I have one of the newer Civics where the AC light goes off, but the AC remains on

[@angelakeeney4330]

Worked like a charm. Thanks!!!!!!!!!!!

[@denispoirier19]

Awesome!

[@CarAudioInc]

Just in case people are wondering this isn't like a radio preset, seems to keep the setting even after the battery has been disconnected which is awesome.

[@CDOES]

Worked great for my Ep3. Thanks

[@denispoirier19]

Awesome!

[@johnhuang2327]

Thank you! It works! It's very useful!

[@denispoirier19]

Awesome!

[@reidenski]

Thank you it's a big help for me.....

[@patwilliams800]

Had a bulb changed recently in my HC02 now my heated driver's seat won't switch off! it's 28 degrees here at the mo, I'll give this a go. Many thanks. Have a good day 😊

[@denispoirier19]

This has nothing to do with the heated seats.

[@patwilliams800]

Oops! You're so right, commented on wrong channel. All ok with my car now. Thanks.

[@itzcaseykc]

Well, that was easy smeezy. Thanks.

[@vioxxx25]

Thank you!!! Great vídeo!!!!

[@Hoodbane]

dude i dont know you but your the greatest man you just save me from blowing my 02 rsx type S up lmao it work bro thanks to you ....

[@denispoirier19]

+stanley soto Awesome! lol

[@dzungng7507]

wow,thanks and I did it . It worked.

[@athulsebastian5492]

Thanks bro. Worked on by honda civic 2002

[@julia_lopez2874]

Ghanés for that awesome excellent idea man

[@jousa5112]

thank you man i didnt know this, i dont know why honda did it like this

[@weez_low9690]

Thanks, This worked for my 02 crv

[@denispoirier19]

Awesome!

[@originalhazelgreene]

Thank you thank you thank you. This is brilliant.

[@denispoirier19]

Hazel Greene haha! Thanks for the feedback

[@wessreiley8275]

My moms ford focus is like that also. I always wonder why they make it that way. Now I gonna try it in my 01 civic thanks very much

[@italian2013]

Thanks very helpful

[@juanmiranda6719]

thanks a lot bro it's really help me out

[@denispoirier19]

Awesome!

[@stephandouwes2201]

great video thanks man fixed it

[@whenyourbored1212]

it works man thank you!!!

[@denispoirier19]

Awesome! Thanks for the feedback

[@MW-id5co]

Thank you...this works for me

[@denispoirier19]

Nice!

[@drewledford9348]

thanks! worked!

[@carlosesparza7600]

thanks for your help

[@Lasersviedos]

Muchas graciasssss!

[@GodGunsGears]

Awesome...thanks!

[@amiryousify4485]

Easy and very helpful way

[@denispoirier19]

Thanks!

[@kennyfortun1696]

thank you good tip

[@CarAudioInc]

What other tricks for the 7th gen civic do you know?

[@mommyslittlesickboy]

Thanks 🙏 very helpful

[@denispoirier19]

Thanks!

[@gueroflores1467]

thank you man

[@nathano148]

13 thumbs down what they don't even drive em2 I bet this is great I had an 01 thought Honda fixed it in later models now I have an 03 same thing it is fantastic thank you so much for that video.

[@denispoirier19]

Thanks! 13 people did not understand the point of the video lol

[@bomberitojuarez7619]

Thank you.🔧🔧

[@trevorwade1169]

Great video! You nailed it.

[@denispoirier19]

+Trevor Wade Thanks!

[@MsFaygo]

Thanks

[@emmanueldenton1955]

Thank you sir!

[@mikeynoelleon]

cool video thanks

[@jimaragon2110]

Thanks!

[@flashretro1038]

You are awesome!

[@denispoirier19]

Thanks! That's what my mom tells me.

[@AMae]

Thank you so much!!!

[@denispoirier19]

Alianna Per you're welcome!

[@colearmstrong5961]

Dude fkn THANK YOU

[@denispoirier19]

You're welcome! Thanks for the feedback.

[@MRBarZz]

The AC is what clears up the moisture in the car during defrost

[@denispoirier19]

That function still works as intended

[@samhan7048]

Stumbled on this video. Good to know. That light always annoys me.

[@kingofhell1985]

thanks buddy

[@hassaanshahid5531]

Brother whenever i put my car to ignition....the dial of temperature is on cool but sound of shift comes and it goes on heater automatically...it happens like whenever i start my car it starts on heater even if I've put the dial on cold

[@mscir]

Thanks.

[@tobyemerson7104]

Thank you so much, this is awesome, and drives me nuts. For us who have the model where the AC stays on but the light doesn't, will this make it Manuel so we can see the light if we so choose to turn on? Once again, you rock for this !

[@denispoirier19]

Yes, it will make it so the light turns on anytime the AC is on, and you can push the button to shut it off.

[@tobyemerson7104]

Thanks so much, you rock !

[@Playsomegames116]

Thank you

[@denispoirier19]

You're welcome!

[@1MarkMann]

Thanks for the video. Always wanted to disable this ‘feature’ However, after doing this, I don’t hear my compressor engage at all. Ever. Even after reversing the procedure. Could this possibly have smoked a fuse or even the compressor clutch? Thanks for any help.

[@anton.vision]

Same here. Have you managed to turc the ac on again?

[@1MarkMann]

@@anton.vision I realize now that the compressor is disabled then outside temps below freezing. When summer arrived the ac worked fine. Good luck!

[@anton.vision]

@@1MarkMann I had a same guess! Thank you for your reply!

[@joniperez8653]

thanks

[@bboyflapps]

Do you know where those fuses are

[@rullmourn1142]

TY

[@user-qf7ii3xv9p]

Hello, thanks for the video, but the Santa Fe SM 2005, how is it programmed, and thank you

[@denispoirier19]

Sorry I don't have the information for the santa fe.

[@user-qf7ii3xv9p]

@@denispoirier19 Thank you, sorry to bother you

[@jaceydanger5135]

Is there anyway to make it so that it’s default turned off? This worked great but still sucks having to click it off. Car idles funny when it’s on

[@denispoirier19]

Unfortunately no, honda designed it that way.

[@ambitionsxt4877]

I love you

[@denispoirier19]

I love you more! Lol

[@MsFaygo]

Thanks ! Also I would like to know. Will this run my battery down? When light stays on.

[@denispoirier19]

No, nothing stays on when the car is off.

[@MsFaygo]

+Denis Poirier Thanks Alot. I'm trying my best to reset my Ac light it still stays on when car is off.... I will try again...Thank You..

[@MsFaygo]

I wish you were my Macanic!

[@denispoirier19]

+Ms. Faygo if the light stays on even with the car off (key removed) then you have some electrical problems with the car.

[@MsFaygo]

+Denis Poirier OK.. Thank you. I kind of figured that. I will have a diagnostic test done... Thank you so much Denis

[@vioxxx25]

Thanks dude!!! My stereo dont show the clock....You know any idea?

[@denispoirier19]

The honda radio uses a small light bulb to illuminate the screen, you could check that but that involves removing the radio and taking it apart. Might be easier to just replace it.

[@vioxxx25]

Denis Poirier Mmm no men, the light is on!! Only the clock is not working!!

[@mattdc269]

is this a Canada civic model those speedometer readings seem like km/hr instead of mph.

[@denispoirier19]

Yes it is

[@TEAMCREAM_96]

that's cool but how many people that owned those cars actually knew of that trick

[@da_1_casper99]

that's cool always hated that

[@tteuvky]

J'ai la même voiture que toi, le problème c'est que l'aire climatiseur envois de l'air froids pendant 3 à 5 min mais après l'air n'est plus froide. aurais-tu un idée de ce que ça peut être?Avant il n'avait plus de réfrigérant de dans donc j'avais seulement l'air normal et après l'avoir rajouter, ça refroidit genre 5 min et après rien que l'air normal

[@denispoirier19]

Il pourrait avoir une fuite dans le système. Il faudrait le faire vérifier par quelqu'un de qualifié pour travailler sur des systèmes de climatisation.

[@zachwillis6690]

good grief I should have googled this a long time ago! Yes the AC does unfog the windows but sometimes you just want to heat the windshield and not have the AC partly interfere with that. And keeping the fan speed up will help minimize fogging even with the AC off. You can still turn on the AC to defog but if you get the vehicle warm, the windshield warm an the fan at medium, that will help a lot with window fogging.

[@denispoirier19]

Right! You'd think it should be like that from the factory. Thanks for the feedback.

[@jesikahayes4737]

I was wondering if anybody knew the importance- if any- that Honda put factory setting to have AC on when in certain heater modes. Does any of this help the car or not?

[@denispoirier19]

I think it's just to have a more effective defrost mode. Most people wouldn't know to manually turn on the AC when the windows are fogged up. Oddly my 2012 honda accord comes with this mod already done from the factory.

[@zakuraayame5091]

running the a/c while in defrost, defrosts the window more effectively. One of the things the a/c does is take moisture out of the air. Warm air holds more moisture. So the physics/concept behind it is you are pumping warm dry air onto the window to defrost it as fast as the system possibly can. This isn't a Honda thing, most manufacturers have moved to this because people don't know or understand it. Warm moist air wouldn't be nearly as effective just as cold dry air wouldn't be. The combination is really what does it.

[@danielvazquez1157]

Hey, by any chance would you or anyone know what the little rectangle on the left of the cigarette lighter is for? My 01 Ex coupe has a On/Off switch there. owner's manual doesn't say.

[@denispoirier19]

On mine the fog lights switch was there.

[@danielvazquez1157]

+Denis Poirier Oh okay kind of makes sense, but my car doesn't have fog lights on the bumper can it be for something else?

[@denispoirier19]

+Daniel Vazquez what does the switch look like? Is there a logo on it?

[@danielvazquez1157]

+Denis Poirier no logo. Just a I/O switch sort of like a lightbulb. Not sure if that make sense?

[@denispoirier19]

+Daniel Vazquez not sure...

[@CarAudioInc]

How do you know this... WHO DO YOU WORK FOR!?! (just kidding, awesome tip sir)

[@denispoirier19]

I use my supernatural brain powers to communicate with the car's computer telepathically. I was difficult but I convinced it to spill out some of its darkest secrets.

[@CarAudioInc]

dp19 woooah!

[@missdorado93]

help please: I was driving with ac on when it suddenly turned off now it wont blow any air not in heat, defrost or ac setting nothing comes out spent 119 on freon and charge with no luck they said it must be in the control panel issue but single mom here doesn't have money for costly in depth dealership diagnostic any ideas?

[@denispoirier19]

If there's no air coming out you could check the fan fuse

[@jayc4283]

Any shop that would charge you for a refrigerant top off and not first test other systems is not being very sensible, and they should have deeply discounted what they did since it is a VERY high profit procedure to just recharge coolant. And as soon as they hooked it up, they would see that it was not empty, so therefore not the problem. You should avoid that mechanic in the future.

[@liveandletlive2894]

Just letting ya'll know that hitting the a.c. button on and off repeatedly is asking for your compressor to go you should always wait 3-5 min before turning it on again right after shutting it off ......works like this for any a.c. your house to

[@zakuraayame5091]

you ever consider that these compressors are designed different? You realize this year range includes the civic hybrid, which had a belt driven a/c compressor, which also auto stops. The electric a/c compressor came in the 2006 model year, which is also much nicer since the air stays cold at auto stop in warm states, unlike the 2003-2005 civic hybrid models. If you have portable/window home a/c units, they DO have protection (timers) that will keep the compressor off for a few minutes if cycled. I had a 05 Civic Hybrid with around 80k I sold that I had from 7k and I didn't 'protect' the compressor at all. I have another 05 Civic Hybrid with about 108k miles that I have no clue what the previous owner did, but I'd venture to guess most people don't think twice about it and just run the a/c in warm weather and don't fuck around with this trick to stop it. I do my own rituals though, I always use the parking brake, even putting it in neutral, letting off the brake pedal, before putting in park on any automatic car I have driven, but a/c ... well, ignored it and never had issues. An uncle told my mother when I was young to always shut off the a/c turning the car off, but I don't follow that either.