Sometimes it's a relief to get into a car that's not filled with fancy, overinvolved controls. Thank you, Fit, for your simple and easy-to-use climate controls. Three knobs, two buttons and one slidey lever. That's all you need.
I'll admit that the Fit's diminutive size doesn't really require dual zone or rear seat climate control, both of which usually conspire to turn the dashboards of vehicles so-equipped into an overcrowded landscape of crazy-making buttons. But sometimes you just have to be thankful for what you've got, and this weekend I had the uncomplicated Fit and its simple, straightforward climate control set-up.
Bryn MacKinnon, Senior Editor, Edmunds.com at 14,013 miles.
altimadude00 says:
05:40 PM, 10/19/09
I have three knobs and three buttons. They are all the same size and in the same place, similar to the SX4's controls. These controls on the Fit seem too spread out to be ergonomic. Also, do the knobs hide behind the steering wheel/ outstretched arm?
stephen987 says:
05:56 PM, 10/19/09
The A/C knobs are easy, altimadude00. They're not blocked by the wheel or anything else in routine use.
The non-nav radio in mine is an ergonomic disaster, though.
mikeolan says:
05:56 PM, 10/19/09
Bryn, what are you smoking and where can I get some? This layout is atrocious, let me get to that in a second.
1) The layout of the controls is horrendous. They're all spread out in some weird melted "L" shape- like the melted down the dashboard.
2) They're too far over on the driver's side for the passenger to control anything. This is a problem if you've got passengers (aka kids) in the back who are demanding better air flow, leaving it the driver's responsibility to fiddle with the air controls so the kid in the back doesn't puke.
3) It's an incoherent mish-mash of buttons , knobs, and levers. If I've got it on vent and I need to switch it over to defrost, I have to switch it first move the knob over to defrost (ventilation position controls should be BUTTONS as unlike fan speed or temperature there is no gradation between settings), THEN I have to move the lever to wait, what's it telling me? Fresh air? That's six steps when far more sophisticated HVAC control units are able to do it in ONE.
4) They're butt ugly and having used them feel nasty too. They're the ugliest, crappiest buttons I've ever seen in a car of recent vintage. I know Hondas aren't exactly known for their stellar craftsmanship these days but even the Civic's are less offensive.
This system stinks. Just about every car in your long term fleet (including your Civic GX) has a better set up. Look at your Dodge Challenger, Dodge RAM, Honda Civic GX, Mazda6, Nissan 370z, Suzuki SX4, or Jetta TDI for a better setup.
stephen987 says:
06:02 PM, 10/19/09
It's ugly, but for the most part it works well. As a driver, I don't want my passengers reaching up to control things like this--it's distracting. Besides, it's not like we're talking about a Flex or an Enclave--the weather's pretty much the same everywhere in this car.
And if you're using vent, then you should already have the fresh air open. So going from vent to defog is about as simple as changing the fan speed or the radio station. It ain't rocket science. If you can't handle it, then you should be in a simpler vehicle. May I suggest a Schwinn?
mikeolan says:
06:06 PM, 10/19/09
@stephen987:
This car's greenhouse and weak A/C means you've gotta use the A/C system exactly right- it's barely able to keep the car cool in the summer. If someone's asking me to turn the heat down or turn the air to cool it's always easier to have the passenger take care of it. If I'm having to fiddle with it, it's distracting.
The weak A/C also means it's on recirc pretty often.
As for everything else, it falls under "why buy something good when i'm perfectly happy with crap?" See cars are about progress and making things better over time. And just about everyone does it better than Honda does with this setup.
bc1960 says:
06:16 PM, 10/19/09
For once I agree with Mikeolan. The functionality is poor and the aesthetics are disastrous. The steering wheel, dash and controls are the one reason I would probably not buy this car, which I otherwise like, unless nothing else minimally acceptable was available. I liked the dash/controls of the previous version better--the one area that was 'disimproved' with the redesign.
majin_ssj_eric says:
06:22 PM, 10/19/09
I never have understood this hatred of buttons. Who doesn't want more control over the car???
subaru123 says:
06:50 PM, 10/19/09
Bryn, mikeolan is right (for once). What do you need huge knobs and a sliding lever for? And why would you want controls only accessible by the driver?
*Now guys I'll apologize in advanced that I'm referring to my Tribeca but Bryn here is a simple layout.
http://www.cars101.com/subaru/tribeca/tribeca06upperconsole2a.JPG
The controls are in the center of the dash with temp controls aimed at driver and passenger. Fan speed (if controllig air manually) in the center. Below buttons (left to right) AUTO, OFF, air recirculation (if controllig air manually) , Mode (if controllig air manually), and AC (if controllig air manually).
super_ongoy says:
07:28 PM, 10/19/09
There's dandruff on the screen. Do any of these cars ever get their interior cleaned or vacuumed? Volvo boogers and now Honda dandruff. What's next? Mini poop?
altimadude00 says:
08:16 PM, 10/19/09
^Mini manure!
brn says:
08:34 PM, 10/19/09
mikeolan, what you fail to understand is that this is the Fit. The Fit can do no wrong.
Let's pretend the picture below is from a Fit:
http://z.about.com/d/cars/1/7/h/q/ag_07mustang_hvac.jpg
That's simplicity that we must be thankful for!
What? That's really from a Ford? Crude, I say! Ford is so far behind the times!
/sarcasm
Bryn, the Fit has basic manual hvac controls. I know you guys are used to getting cars with all the bells and whistles. Most of the buying public, buys basic manual hvac. Most of the buying public gets "simplicity" in most of the cars they buy. It's not a "Fit" thing.
mikeolan says:
09:00 PM, 10/19/09
@BRN: The only thing that gets me with the Mustang's (and Ford's) controls is location of the "off" setting (why the hell is it with airflow control and not fan speed?) , and the MAX AC setting. But it's better than the Fit's solely on the fact it doesn't rely on janky arse levers and doesn't look hellaciously ugly.
Want to know the best setup? The current-gen Nissan Altima.
http://l.yimg.com/dv/izp/nissan_altima_2.5_s_2009_dashboard_instrumentpanel.jpg
THAT is simplicity. Clearly labeled buttons for ventilation controls that you can easily hit without having to glance down and turn a knob to figure out which setting you've activated. If I need to switch from vent to defrost I press ONE button, not rotate a knob over 5 positions then hit a lever. There's a "Max AC" button, and best of all, it's easy to activate both the front and rear defrost together (since you usually have to do one if you're doing the other.
I also like that there is a near-infinite amount of fan speeds you can choose from instead of just four without adding any complexity, which helps avoid goldilocks syndrome.
Three knobs by itself is inherently "simple" , but some manufacturers do it much better than others, and let's be honest- Honda doesn't do it well at ALL in the Fit.
dgs4 says:
09:46 PM, 10/19/09
The knobs are fine. They do what they're supposed to and they're easy to use. It's not a fashion show, it's an economy car, get over it. Some people just love to bitch about nothing.
Also, do posts get randomly deleted around here? I could have sworn I made two posts in the last blog and I only see one. Who knows with this look and all it might have been a technology related issue.
brn says:
11:15 PM, 10/19/09
mikeolan, I think we're in the same ballpark. Personally, I'm not a fan of calling it "Max AC". It recirculates the air, I don't want to pretend it does anything different.
My favorite is the way Volvo often does it. The ability to pick and choose where the air is going to go, trumps all. I often want to blow air on my body, the windshield, and sometimes not my feet. Neither Ford, Nissan, nor Honda will do either of those. Volvo is the only one I know of that let's you choose any combination you want.
super_ongoy says:
11:39 PM, 10/19/09
BMWs can send the air to different parts and I am sure Mercedes have that as well.
empowah says:
11:56 PM, 10/19/09
Simple, honest, down-to-earth bare bones goodness is nice... so why does this car have a $1,850 digital map?
1487 says:
05:57 AM, 10/20/09
every cheap car has simple climate controls. Nothing unique about the Fit. When you have manual climate controls they tend to be very straightforward.
bodyblue says:
06:28 AM, 10/20/09
Like anything else I am sure you get used to it. HVAC systems controls dont need to be complicated. The 70s and 80s twin sliders in GM and Fords still work perfectly well. I like how they used WORDS not pictures of heads and feet etc. All of the symbols in new cars are getting stupid. Just say what the warning is for petes sake.
jaeger1 says:
07:04 AM, 10/20/09
"Sometimes it's a relief to get into a car that's not filled with fancy, overinvolved controls. Thank you, Fit, for your simple and easy-to-use climate controls."
Amen to that. Simple, intuitive and easy to use even with gloves on.
cr_driver says:
10:22 AM, 10/20/09
You are happy because the car has one slidey lever? lol
I´ll pass, that is so old school, so ugly. There are cars in the same price range of this fit with better looking an as easy to use climate controls.
crystalfivemt says:
11:32 AM, 10/20/09
So much for freedom of speech. Yes, Big Brother is watching and yes, posts apparently get deleted.
Every car manufacturer should study the Fit's simplistic HVAC design.
dgs4 says:
09:54 PM, 10/25/09
"So much for freedom of speech. Yes, Big Brother is watching and yes, posts apparently get deleted.
Every car manufacturer should study the Fit's simplistic HVAC design."
Okay, so it's not my imagination and it's network related. Why don't these people tell you they've deleted your post? Stupid. I posted a second comment to that tool Cx7lover and it ain't there. The good thing is I don't see him in this thread, so maybe he got the hint and is now posting where someone may actually care what he has to say, like a Cx7 message board.
For real about the Fit HVAC design. The people who criticize it are more about form over function.
cmj912 says:
07:42 PM, 12/23/09
I agree with the main post. I have a 2010 Fit, and find these controls blessedly simple.
I traded a Volvo for my Fit. The Volvo's climate control was possessed - - and even though the controls were stylish in a sort of spare, Swedish Modern way sometimes it is just better for controls suchs as these to function quickly and correctly. It is a relief to know that turning the knob all the way one way or the other in the Fit is max hot or max cold. I don't have to touch "mode" or decide whether 80 on both sides is too warm or too cool. I don't have to even look at the controls to use them.
Oh - and just for what it's worth, I can't recall the last time anyone I know got into *ANY* car and said "Oh my goodness! The climate control panel in this car is beautiful!"