This cant possibly be true, a recent survey says Hondas are the most reliable cars in the world! ;)

You obviously don't read what the report said...

Ever since I've had cars with AC - the first was a Renault Safrane in 1994 - I've left it on all year, and never had a problem on any of the cars. That Safrane did over 120,000 miles (and had no problems with anything else either).

That doesn't answer your question, Abradders, but leaving it on permanently might be a suggestion for the future. There might possibly be a fuel consumption penalty on a smaller car, but I've always found that to be negligible on mine.

It amazes me how many people just turn the AC on occasionally, the only time I ever switch it off is when temperatures are hovering around 4C and so it cuts in and out. I doubt that the fuel economy costs come anywhere near the cost of rectifying a compressor with dried seals or whatever else ?

Am I alone in detecting an 'entitlement' culture in car owners these days? Whilst there is justifyable consumer law regarding fitness for purpose and associated longevity, at what point is the original manufacturer no longer liable even as goodwill ? My point being that a purchaser may never have had any contract with the manufacturer i.e. the manufacturer or their agent may never have received any of your money e.g. if you bought second hand.

The OP may have a case in this instance, especially if the extended warranty was Honda's, but (hypothetically and in other circumstances) - 6 years old and with no money to the orginal manufacturer or their agent ?

Edited by idle_chatterer on 12/09/2013 at 03:07

My AC failed on my 58 reg CRV, i thought it was the dreaded Compressor issue. My neighbour owns his own garage and also is a mechanic. He looked into the AC as he said some Japanese cars turn off to protect themselves when the gas gets to low, infact mine was the opposite it had been over filled. I have now got a fully functioning AC system that only cost me the diesel to his garage.

On a different note my car had full Honda service history, we changed the air filter and it was disgusting. Obviously hasn't been touched for a couple of years if ever!

No luck with my usual Honda dealer as he says it's over the extended warranty period.

More investigation required I think.