About the time we got tired of each other, she got tired of that car and retired us both. Of course Saab had a frequent buyers program so she got another one of those.

2nd best – Lincoln Mark VII. I occasionally had to hit the max A/C.

By comparison, the ACC in my ‘03 5 series needs constant attention. My feet are cold in the winter, you have to tell it when to use A/C. I sure do miss the Saab’s ACC.

I rarely think about the HVAC controls on that car because the part I use falls right to hand and takes but a twist to gain the desired result…The thermo dials (one for each side) fall right to hand. They are big and ridged like a quarter making them glove friendly and allowing me to keep my eyes on the road (lest I hit some poor RISD student bicycling to class). In auto mode, they control the fan speed as well. What I don’t like as much is that the manual mode buttons, while slightly differentiated, necessitate eye contact. Especially to get the airflow to the windscreen and the floor at the same time. A simple set of differentiated, audible “bongs” would fix that, though.

@pls,
Yeah! American HVAC systems could freeze Hades or scorch the sun. Too bad they are so poorly directed.

The 300C has an “Auto” and “Auto-Low” specifically for these situations.

Doesn’t that kinda defeat the purpose of having an “auto” setting? I see what you’re saying, but that seems like a crude fix.

But it’s really hard to argue with the simplicity and intuitiveness of some non-auto-climate HVAC controls. For example, in the same Honda brand: The Element! 3 very large rotary buttons (Fan, Temperature and Air routing), 3 good-sized push buttons inside – Recirculation, A/C On & Off, and Rear window / Side mirrors defrost. All 6 buttons easily operable, even with gloves on. (The 2nd generation CR-V (2002-2006) had the same type of controls – Just mahhhvelous!)

If you ask me, the non-navi Civics have one of the best HVAC controls. A row of several buttons, horizontally, clearly marked, that require nothing more than a simple push to select your option.

It doesn’t get easier than that.

The Accord people? REALLY?

Oh you’re cold? Well my fast likes it cold.

The predominant memory I have of the last minivan I will ever own (a 2004 Nissan Quest) is the cheap-ass HVAC knobs that wobbled and crackled more than they rotated in the direction of the desired climate change. The best thing I can say is that they made my father-in-law’s 1990 Mercury Topaz feel like a Rolex by comparison.

Sometimes it’s the little things that leave the big impression.

@jgh,
Do you have a Subaru w/ the automatic HVAC? If so, make sure that the thermostats are set ABOVE 65. If they are set above 65 and you have lots of airflow before the heater core is warm, something is amiss. 65 – on a Subaru – sets the flow on full blast – no matter what.

The only blower I’ve ever pulled was the one in my Accent (generation before the one in the pic). Take out the glovebox, undo the plug and 3 or 4 screws on the bottom, and it falls out of the housing along with the leaves and crap that were the reason for its removal (I got tired of listening to that racket).

# jgh :
January 9th, 2009 at 4:53 pm

Not when you have a retarded system that likes to blow high-speed cold air into your face before the engine’s warm, like my Outback’s. (Notice out of the plethora of LGT and OB owners on this forum, not a single one nominated a Subie’s). In fact, I nominate it the worst.

The 300C has an “Auto” and “Auto-Low” specifically for these situations. More HVAC controls should have that feature.

Mark MacInnis :
January 9th, 2009 at 4:48 pm

It would be cool and helpful in the future, if for top tens like this, someone could do the research and find out who the tier 1 supplier is who is responsible for these HVAC control modules…for example, for several years I worked for Toyota tier 1 supplier Tokai Rika (aka TRMI, Inc., in Battle Creek, MI) and I believe they designed and supplied all the HVAC switches (and power door and window, auto trans shift levers, etc.) for the Camry and Corolla.

I’m curious to know–the 350Z’s HVAC knobs are nearly identical to the ones found in the Camry (as are the turn/wiper stalks) and a number of Toyotas; same basic design, with three knobs and buttons within the knob itself.

You are right on the money (’08 LTD here). On the other hand, for a big vehicle, it throws heat quickly and the A/C is plenty cold enough. Stupid controls, but great vehicle.

The Honda HVAC controls are not mixed in with the radio controls. They are a distinct row on top that has no overlap with the admittedly horrible stereo layout.

Regardless of whether we’re talking buttons or knobs, with auto temp, fan, etc. you still have to glance at the screen where the digital readouts are displayed to confirm the number. Unless you have already glanced at the digital number and know that you just need to bump the toggle up/down or turn the knob left/right.

For front defrost or rear defrost, you press an individual button. Or you turn a knob. Unless you memorize where your defrost/mode buttons are on the knob AND know where your current knob position is, you’re still going to have to glance at the control and/or display. Technically, you could also memorize that the rear defrost button on the Accord is directly to the left of the passenger toggle and barely have to even look at it. Realistically though, I am going to be using the defrost when I first get in the car and am still stationary, so it’s no big deal, button or knob.

I would argue that the Camry control knobs are further down than the Accord buttons, so until you memorize where positions are, you’d be taking your eyes further down in the Camry. My eyes would be looking further down in the Camry anyhow, given that I’d be so bummed that I bought an appliance instead of a car with a bit of a soul. Just kidding. ;-)

Not when you have a retarded system that likes to blow high-speed cold air into your face before the engine’s warm, like my Outback’s. (Notice out of the plethora of LGT and OB owners on this forum, not a single one nominated a Subie’s). In fact, I nominate it the worst.

OK, second worst after iDrive.

When I worked there, I know we took it seriously, these weren’t “just switches”, but rather something integral to the tactical and safety experience of the vehicle, something that could subtly add to(or detract from) the entire vehicle experience. So, knowing which supplier is responsible for these gems would be a nice touch…

Ford just gave us a recirculation button last year (company car #29) but they randomly turn it off when we want it to stay on all the time. I notice the Dakota still doesn’t have one. That just won’t do.

Yes, there’s the one car in Toyota’s lineup that fudges it. No denying that.

First question: Have those of you knocking the Accord’s HVAC (EX-L V-6 is the one I’m referring to) actually used it?

Yes, and the Camry is still better. Yes, it’s an automatic system, but that only mitigates the problem: the topography is not good (it’s mixed in with the radio controls), the buttons are undifferentiated and indistinct and you do need to look away from the road. You’ll eventually get used to it, but you shouldn’t have to.

Have a look at the Camry: three knobs, all very well lit, all distinct in function. If you get the auto-climate version, it’s just as easy. When I test-drove the Accord, I had to pull take my eyes off the road for much longer than I was comfortable doing; in the Camry, I didn’t need to look away at all.

The Honda is bad design from a purely ergonomic standpoint: saying that automatic climate control makes it better, or that you’ll get used to it, doesn’t excuse the original mistake. I saw the same issue on the Sienna and Oddyssey; the Sienna’s controls looked cheesy, but were easier to use than the slick-looking-but badly-laid-out ones in the Oddy.

You’ll see a more extreme example of this in the nightmare dash of most Acuras: Honda is trying for aesthetic symmetry, and sacrificing functionality.

I’ll bet these were designed by an engineer (Honda has more than a hint of Professional Engineer Know-It-All-ism about it’s products) where Toyota’s were done by an actual ergonomist.

within a day of driving you will be able to adjust anything without even glancing away from the road.

Even better I was able to score brand new hvac and lighting consoles (the little modules on each side of the wheel) to replace my slightly worn ones for $20 on craigslist. Each console is held in place by 2 screws and they just plug right in. Took me less than a minute to swap them out and replace.

The modern standard was set with this car…
http://www.taurusclub.com/encyclopedia/G1/86sablemiddledash.jpg

It features easy to use controls. If memory serves, the knobs were differentiated enough that you didn’t have to look. But, if you did have to glance, you didn’t have to divert your eyes too far down the dash.

Manual HVAC is a completely different animal of course.

I would offer up my current generation 4Runner as an example of Toyota not getting it right with HVAC controls. Buttons arranged on non functional knobs. Brilliant!

I’m sure that the Accord controls become familiar over time, but typically Honda has gone straight for “feels like home from day one” a la my Honda product.

In other news – last time I drove a late model BMW, I couldn’t figure out how to switch between AM and FM. The HVAC worked fine, though.