I swear that my AC will engage and yet the GREEN AC indicator light is NOT lit up (air feels colder then outside air)... anyone else had this happen.

I end up turning to MAX AC at which point the GREEN and YELLOW indicators come on, then turn it off MAX AC and you can hear the engine run easier and the air come out at outside temperature.

I have not gone and looked under the hood but suspect I can see the AC compressor rotate, maybe next time I get the chance.

By default the compressor is engaged when you use the defrost...even though the AC light is not on. I remember that there was a post that gave the steps to reprogram the defrost. After reprogramming, the compressor can be turned off if you wish to use the defrost without it. I did it on my own car a few months back (the steps worked) but I can't find the post anymore. I will search around for you and post the directions when I find them. Stay tuned.

That is probably why my mileage did not improve when I "shut off" the AC!!!

I prefer to have control on when I defrost WITH AC and when I defrost without otherwise it is a waste of gas. If you keep the windows clean then you don't need the AC unless it is really humid out... let me know if you find the post.

Does this mean that when i switch to the dash vent settings the AC should shut off?

Here it is:

http://www.elementownersclub.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=4062&highlight=defrost

[quote:49a05efc4c="sspiller"]That is probably why my mileage did not improve when I "shut off" the AC!!!

I prefer to have control on when I defrost WITH AC and when I defrost without otherwise it is a waste of gas. If you keep the windows clean then you don't need the AC unless it is really humid out... let me know if you find the post.

Does this mean that when i switch to the dash vent settings the AC should shut off?[/quote:49a05efc4c]

....hey look here too.....http://elementownersclub.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=2647

Just followed the instructions, worked great! Now have control over when AC is on or off on DEF, this should have been the Honda default not the other way around.

I noticed that once you engage the AC with either of the DEF settings it stays engaged even when you rotate off the DEF modes. This in my opinion is the flaw with the honda programming... this was getting me all summer, i was telling myself, wow, how cool it is outside, i don't even need the ac on in my E! LOL

[quote:b628208417="sspiller"]Just followed the instructions, worked great! Now have control over when AC is on or off on DEF, this should have been the Honda default not the other way around.

I noticed that once you engage the AC with either of the DEF settings it stays engaged even when you rotate off the DEF modes. This in my opinion is the flaw with the honda programming... this was getting me all summer, i was telling myself, wow, how cool it is outside, i don't even need the ac on in my E! LOL[/quote:b628208417]

lmao sspiller...those were the exact words my wife said when she used the defrost last summer when we 1st bought the E..until I showed her the puddle of water after we had parked for a while.... :lol: ..I'm glad I asked the question on my car forum when I did....and also that it worked on the E too.... :D