[karfreek]

Back in the day you could buy warmer thermostats for cars to get it a little warmer in the winter. Usually they would open around 203-205 deg vs 193-195. Any such item for our 2.4L?

Jay

 

[Fis753106]

Im in as long as my car doesnt blow up lol.

I thought my thermostat is malfunctioning but according to the dealership its working fine.

Takes up to ~8 miles for my car to completely warm up if the heat is on. If the heat is on the needle drops if im stopped at a light. (this only happens for about the first 8 miles)

There was a thread on here about long warm up times. I think it has something to do with the cvt holding low rpms.

 

[Schoat333]

Back in the day you could buy warmer thermostats for cars to get it a little warmer in the winter. Usually they would open around 203-205 deg vs 193-195. Any such item for our 2.4L?

Jay

New engines have other means for regulating temperature like timing retard, electric fans, variable valve timing, etc. I doubt you would see much of a difference TBH. In fact, the cars computer would probably just adjust to compensate for it.

 

[friendlyghost]

I have noticed that if I drive agressively after driving for a mile or so, the heater throws hot air more quickly... so the CVT holding low rpms may be an issue.

 

[tpi]

If the stock thermostat doesn't reach it's opening point in cold weather, neither will a ten degree warmer thermostat. See if the heater can be operated in recirc. mode. Any chance of some kind of oil pan or block heater? Like mentioned above, a few harder accelerations later in warmup cycle could help.

This is a side effect of the low fuel burn rate of the engine. Not enough "waste heat" to heat the cabin.

 

[desertrat]

I'm curious why you would want a higher temperature thermostat? Engine operating temperature is around 193 degrees F. and a hotter thermostat is not going to get it to that temperature any quicker. It would, of course, operate at a hotter temperature which might help around town but might be detrimental on the highway.

I have tried grill blocking on a different vehicle, in my test that only seems to make it run hotter on the highway which I didn't want. But it is easy to do with cardboard so you might want to give it a try. Caution, if you block the grill with an AT or CVT car it may be best not to block the part where the transmission cooler is located.

 

[kyden]

If you have a manual, leave it in a lower gear while driving until the engine gets up to temp. (3000rpm or so)

my car only takes a few minutes to get up to temp. but mostly because the highway entrance is a 1/4 mile from my house lol.

 

[karfreek]

The car can not get the inside as warm as I would like. I have a manual transmission and I do not believe in driving a car gingerly when cold. It gets to Operating temp fast enough, but operating temp is not where I would like it. When its 20deg out, the interior of the car is just not warm enough after my 40min commute. I have the heat at 86, and it is warm at best. Even If I keep it at "HI" its still not hot enough. The temp coming out of the vents is at the target when I test it with a thermometer, I just want it warmer. The air comes out warm, I want it HOT like it is in our van.

Our van has no problem getting to the level of warmth that I am looking for. I just dont think the little 2.4L can keep the level of thermal energy in the coolant to keep the car as warm as I would like it.

Jay

 

[Markus]

The car can not get the inside as warm as I would like. I have a manual transmission and I do not believe in driving a car gingerly when cold. It gets to Operating temp fast enough, but operating temp is not where I would like it. When its 20deg out, the interior of the car is just not warm enough after my 40min commute. I have the heat at 86, and it is warm at best. Even If I keep it at "HI" its still not hot enough. The temp coming out of the vents is at the target when I test it with a thermometer, I just want it warmer. The air comes out warm, I want it HOT like it is in our van.

Our van has no problem getting to the level of warmth that I am looking for. I just dont think the little 2.4L can keep the level of thermal energy in the coolant to keep the car as warm as I would like it.

Jay

Perhaps your issue is related to the HVAC itself and not the engine thermostat. A slightly different car I know but I was recently driving my sisters TSX with the 4 cylinder and there was plenty of heat, just as much as my v6 accords.

 

[karfreek]

Perhaps your issue is related to the HVAC itself and not the engine thermostat. A slightly different car I know but I was recently driving my sisters TSX with the 4 cylinder and there was plenty of heat, just as much as my v6 accords.

I went that route. HondaTechV6 gave me the spec for the temp at the vents, and it was there. I feel that if I take it in they will tell me its in spec.

Honestly, I really feel like the car is very poorly insulated and that the heater can not produce enough "ass" at highway speeds to overcome the loss. The door panels are always cold in this car.

If I drive it around town, I can get it warm inside. But then again I drive pretty spirited and wind the engine pretty high.

If I set the car at "80F" the fan does not ramp down as if the car can not "get there".

Jay

 

[tpi]

Have you tried recirc mode? It certainly improves effectiveness of air conditioning on hot summer days. Theoretically it should do the same for heat in cold weather by not trying to continuously heat outside cold air. There may be conditions where it wouldn't be good such as dehumidifying. On my Sport model I confirmed I could run heat in recirc. mode.

 

[HondaBob]

I went that route. HondaTechV6 gave me the spec for the temp at the vents, and it was there. I feel that if I take it in they will tell me its in spec.

Honestly, I really feel like the car is very poorly insulated and that the heater can not produce enough "ass" at highway speeds to overcome the loss. The door panels are always cold in this car.

If I drive it around town, I can get it warm inside. But then again I drive pretty spirited and wind the engine pretty high.

If I set the car at "80F" the fan does not ramp down as if the car can not "get there".

Jay

I know your situation. My first winter with mine was last winter, a very cold one. One night I drove the 10 miles to home and the temp gauge never got above 1/8. Next day I took it to the dealer and they said the temps at the vents were normal. End of story.

 

[karfreek]

Last night I drove home from work and froze the whole way. When I got home I popped the cabin air filter and saw that it was pretty dirty as it had a lot of organic material in the pleats. I figured WTH, it was changed in April 2014 with a Fram Carbon filter. Maybe it was dirty last winter and this winter so I replaced it today with a brand new Honda one from the dealership at lunch. I will see if that helps. It just seems like the quantity of air coming from the vents is not enough.

Also, i will share something that I found while changing the filter that I dont like when I have more time.

Jay

 

[MJL]

hmm interesting. i seem to have the opposite problem as you. i dont like putting the temp above 72 because if i do, esp on auto, it gets way too hot for me. like you mentioned it could be the cabin air filter, ill be waiting for your results. as far as getting car warmer faster, you can do what i did and install an engine block heater. it doesnt get the engine up to normal operating temp but after running it for a few hours before i leave, it gets up to normal after only about 2 miles. might not help you stay warm on your drive but will help warm up faster.

 

[karfreek]

Driving home last night it was 6F out and it seemed to work a little better, same on the way in this morning. But commute to work has my car sitting in a 45-50F garage overnight and 6 mile jaunt to juniors daycare that skews the data. Tonight it is supposed to be bitter cold so I will see how she does. For now it *seems* better.

The filter media on the Honda filter is much thinner and the filter is over all lighter. Of course the Fram was dirty, too.

If it's better I will just ignore the MM and replace the filter every December first.

 

[HondaBob]

Last night I drove home from work and froze the whole way. When I got home I popped the cabin air filter and saw that it was pretty dirty as it had a lot of organic material in the pleats. I figured WTH, it was changed in April 2014 with a Fram Carbon filter. Maybe it was dirty last winter and this winter so I replaced it today with a brand new Honda one from the dealership at lunch. I will see if that helps. It just seems like the quantity of air coming from the vents is not enough.

Also, i will share something that I found while changing the filter that I dont like when I have more time.

Jay

Forgive me if this sounds insulting. Have you tried raising the fan speed manually? I know it makes more noise but get warmer/more noise:dunno:

 

[karfreek]

Forgive me if this sounds insulting. Have you tried raising the fan speed manually? I know it makes more noise but get warmer/more noise:dunno:

Yes.

Ultimately, I think it's programming. I had it at 86 today and it ramped the fan down to mid speed. Maybe it was 86 in the car, but I was not hot, just warm.

Also, it's a catch 22. Faster the air, the cooler it is at the vents. Confirmed with a thermometer.

Jay

 

[HondaBob]

Yes.

Ultimately, I think it's programming. I had it at 86 today and it ramped the fan down to mid speed. Maybe it was 86 in the car, but I was not hot, just warm.

Also, it's a catch 22. Faster the air, the cooler it is at the vents. Confirmed with a thermometer.

Jay

Yeah, I can see where that would make sense.

 

[Darfsalot]

Jay , I'm not sure what's up with your car but these last few days have been freezing and my accord has no problem with the heat. I end up sweating really quick. The ultimate test will be later tonight with the lowest temps we have had in a while.

Might seem weird but have you checked coolant levels?

 

[karfreek]

Jay , I'm not sure what's up with your car but these last few days have been freezing and my accord has no problem with the heat. I end up sweating really quick. The ultimate test will be later tonight with the lowest temps we have had in a while.

Might seem weird but have you checked coolant levels?

Good point. It is well known on the LXFormus that low coolant on that platform equates to loss of heat quickly. Unfortunately, it is good on my Accord.

At lunch I ran some erands and kept the temp at "Hi" until the temp was to my liking. When I put it down to "86" the fan instantly dropped to 4-bars. I just feel that it is the way its programmed to work. Its performance mimics the Sport CVT that I had as a loaner last week. I guess it is what it is.

Sucks, as the AC is awesome in this car.

In our Odyssey when I drive it I can set it at 78 to get the interior warm, then I drop it down to 68-72 depending on how I am dressed. If im nude, I shoot for 72. :lmao:

It was bitter cold walking to my car from the Business building on campus last night. The wind was whipping right down the road by Colonial Quad. Brr...

Jay