Is Your Car Heater Toasty? If Not, Ask These 6 Questions

Cold weather is here, so now is the time to ensure your car heater is up to the challenge.

If you want to learn more, please visit our website Automotive Heaters.

When you fire up the temperature control and blast the air, it might take a few minutes before the cabin warms up. That’s because heat from the engine needs to build up for a few minutes. Then, the coolant will move through the hot engine, warm up, and circulate to the heater core, which radiates heat into the passenger compartment.

Sometimes, no matter how long your car runs, you still can’t get that nice warm toasty feeling. If that’s the case, answer these six questions.

Is There Enough Antifreeze and Water in the System?

Check the coolant level in your vehicle. If your ride is low on coolant, it will not fill the heater core sufficiently to blow warm air. Check the coolant overflow tank in your engine bay, making sure the coolant is above the minimum mark but doesn’t exceed the designated maximum safe level.

Read this: Before Winter Strikes, Make Sure Your Car Heater Is Ready

Is the Thermostat Working Correctly?

Suppose you’ve confirmed that there’s enough coolant. Then the culprit could be an engine thermostat stuck in the open position. A malfunctioning thermostat could prevent the coolant from sufficiently heating up.

Check by starting your car and then watching your engine’s temperature gauge. If, after 10 minutes, the engine is still cold, then there’s a decent chance that your engine needs a new thermostat.

Does the Car Heater Core Have a Coolant Leak?

Look for moisture on the front carpets, especially by the passenger side. If you find any—and if your heater has a sweet or odd smell—the car heater core could have a leak. Bad heater cores call for replacement.

In some vehicles, the heater core is integrated with the AC system, so it’s easy to access under the hood. In most cases, however, it is tucked under the dashboard, making it difficult to access. So plan on contorting yourself to gain access and check for a leak.

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Are There Air Pockets in Your Cooling System?

When replacing the coolant in a vehicle, air can get trapped in the system, preventing the coolant from properly circulating. Here’s how to check.

Let the engine warm up long enough for the fan to come on. Locate the bleed screw on the radiator (or on the engine’s thermostat housing). Open the bleed screw a quarter-turn. If you hear a hissing sound, air is trapped in the system. Open the bleed screw a quarter-turn until coolant starts coming out and then close the bleed screw.

Many vehicles do not have bleed screws. In that case, park on a steep incline with the radiator above the heater core, or use a set of jack stands to raise the front of the vehicle. Then, with a cold engine, open the radiator cap and fill it with the proper mix of antifreeze and distilled water. Next, run the vehicle with the cap off and add coolant as needed.

When all the air has been purged, replace the cap, and you are good to go.

Are the Car Heater Controls and Actuators Working Correctly?

Depending on the vehicle, the controls for the HVAC (heater, ventilation, and air conditioning) system consist of metal cables, vacuum hoses, and switches or electrical actuators. With the temperature set to the hottest level, check to see if hot air is blowing. If not, the car’s heater core valve might not be fully open.

If the valve uses a metal cable or vacuum hose, ensure the cable and hose are not loose or broken and that the heater core is not blocked. Then, move the valve by hand, touching the coolant hoses that enter the firewall to ensure they are both hot. If one is cold, you should consider replacing the heater valve.

Is your HVAC Cabin Filter Clogged?

It’s best to replace cabin filters every 24,000 miles. They can clog with dirt and prevent adequate airflow through the car heater core. Make sure that your cabin filter is clean, with sufficient airflow. You can access most cabin filters through the glove box. Replacing the cabin filter is an easy chore.

Read this: Cabin Air Filter Replacement Made Easy

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2k4accord wrote: ↑How do I know the block heater is working?
Can you tell by a sound of some kind?

Last night here in Alberta, it dropped below -40C. If you are in Edmonton area, you will know we are in a cold snap this week and it is bloody cold.

I brought a timer and set it to start at 3AM to 9AM for the block heater. But when I started the car this morning (8:10AM) , it did NOT sounded like a good normal start. Everything was so cold that it was hard to push the clutch and move the stick into gear.

So later tonight I will test by plug it in before I go to bed to see if I have a better start tomorrow.
Also, how long do I need to plug in the block heater for cold days like this week?

Keep warm guys.

How do I know the block heater is working?Can you tell by a sound of some kind?Last night here in Alberta, it dropped below -40C. If you are in Edmonton area, you will know we are in a cold snap this week and it is bloody cold.I brought a timer and set it to start at 3AM to 9AM for the block heater. But when I started the car this morning (8:10AM) , it did NOT sounded like a good normal start. Everything was so cold that it was hard to push the clutch and move the stick into gear.So later tonight I will test by plug it in before I go to bed to see if I have a better start tomorrow.Also, how long do I need to plug in the block heater for cold days like this week?Keep warm guys.

-40C? Damn you guys have it good. Dipped to -49C in Winnipeg; haha. Where else in Canada can you get literally a 45 degrees change in temperature in less than 24 hours?

It depends what kind of block heater you have. There are some that heat the oil pan directly; there some that heat the coolant, etc. Starting a car at -40C never sounds good; even with the block heater. Number one purpose of the block heater is to keep your oil warm enough so it doesn't start freezing. Everything else is second to that. Your timing seems right; and I think your block heater is working if your car was able to turn over. You plug in your car ANYTIME it drops below -20C; that includes the windchill as well. In Winnipeg; it comes as second nature when to plug the car in; but in AB I think this week will probably be the last time you will use that thing this year.

Our Accord had a horrible time starting; 3 cranks and the battery indicator light came on. When temps drop below -30C your battery only has 25% cranking power; so it is definately alot weaker. I have also found even if your garage is not heated; it helps alot by blocking the wind. My car still has no block heater; sounds horrible when turning over but has given me no difficulty. Keep in mind I am running 0W30 in my car; and the only time it leaves the garage is twice a week for no time longer than 3 hours. So my car is definately pretty babied during winter; but no block heater with -50C winter really hurts if there is no garage.

-40C? Damn you guys have it good. Dipped to -49C in Winnipeg; haha. Where else in Canada can you get literally a 45 degrees change in temperature in less than 24 hours?It depends what kind of block heater you have. There are some that heat the oil pan directly; there some that heat the coolant, etc. Starting a car at -40C never sounds good; even with the block heater. Number one purpose of the block heater is to keep your oil warm enough so it doesn't start freezing. Everything else is second to that. Your timing seems right; and I think your block heater is working if your car was able to turn over. You plug in your car ANYTIME it drops below -20C; that includes the windchill as well. In Winnipeg; it comes as second nature when to plug the car in; but in AB I think this week will probably be the last time you will use that thing this year.Our Accord had a horrible time starting; 3 cranks and the battery indicator light came on. When temps drop below -30C your battery only has 25% cranking power; so it is definately alot weaker. I have also found even if your garage is not heated; it helps alot by blocking the wind. My car still has no block heater; sounds horrible when turning over but has given me no difficulty. Keep in mind I am running 0W30 in my car; and the only time it leaves the garage is twice a week for no time longer than 3 hours. So my car is definately pretty babied during winter; but no block heater with -50C winter really hurts if there is no garage.

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