Saed News: In this article, we discuss how car heaters work, tips for better maintenance, reasons why they may not produce the desired heat, and other related topics.
According to the family magazine service of Saed News, car heaters are essential in winter. If your car's engine is weak, you might struggle with the air conditioner in summer, especially on uphill drives. However, car heaters don't require additional energy to heat the car's interior. They use the heat generated by the engine, which is transferred to the vents and powered by the car's battery.
How is Engine Heat Produced?
As mentioned earlier, the heat for the car heater comes from the engine, more specifically from the engine coolant. This coolant absorbs the engine's heat as it circulates continuously and passes through the car's radiator, heating its walls.
How is Heat Transferred to the Car Interior?
The warm air entering the cabin is produced by a blower powered by the car's battery. Once the radiator walls are hot, turning on the blower and adjusting the airflow allows the warm air to enter the car's interior.
How Long Does it Take for the Heater to Warm the Car?
The time needed to warm the air entering the car varies. The main factor is the temperature of the engine coolant. If the coolant isn't warm, the radiator's heat conductivity won't matter. Older carbureted cars took about 15 minutes to reach a usable temperature, while modern fuel-injected cars take about 3 minutes.
How to Turn On the Car Heater
We've discussed how car heaters work; now, let's explain how to turn them on. Car climate control systems are either manual or automatic/semi-automatic. Here's how to turn on both types:
Manual Climate Control System
Start the car and wait a few minutes for the engine coolant temperature to rise.
Turn the blower speed knob clockwise to increase the warm air flow into the car.
Adjust the temperature control knob to the desired level, with blue indicating cold and red indicating warm.
Use the air distribution knob to direct the warm air as needed.
If you want to control the cabin humidity, press the A/C button.
To prevent outside air from entering, activate the recirculation button.
Automatic Climate Control System
Start the car and set the blower speed using the knob.
Adjust the temperature with the temperature control buttons.
If needed, activate the A/C button to control humidity.
Use the recirculation button to keep the air inside the car.
Tips to Improve Car Heater Performance
Ensure the thermostat is working properly.
Set the temperature correctly.
Check the engine coolant level before driving.
Make sure the water circulation path and blower are functioning.
Allow the car and heater to warm up while driving.
Crack a window for fresh air if the car is full of passengers.
The A/C button also helps ventilate the air.
Close the air vents and set the temperature to cool before turning off the car at night to retain engine heat for the next day.
Why Isn't My Car Heater Warming Up?
Clogged Radiator: Prevents hot water from reaching the heater.
Low Coolant Level: Reduces heat absorption.
Faulty Thermostat: Affects the temperature of the water sent to the heater.
Blower Fan Issue: Prevents hot air from entering the cabin.
Clogged Water Pump: Reduces water flow to the engine, causing overheating and affecting heater performance.
Following these tips and maintaining your car's heating system ensures a comfortable and safe drive during the cold months.
Car Heater Components
In the final section of this article, we examine the parts of a car heater:
Rubber Components
Lower radiator hose, carburetor hose, CNG curved hose, CNG straight hose.
Clamps and Brackets
Hose clamp, upper metal radiator bracket, radiator hose clamp, upper plastic radiator bracket.
Screws
Dashboard screw.
Pulleys
Water pump pulley.
Clips
Radiator drain valve, two-speed fan clip, sliding clip.
The car heater is a system, so if one part malfunctions, it can affect other components as well.
Should You Use the AC Button for the Heater?
The AC button isn't just for the summer and using the air conditioner. It also helps to ventilate the air entering the car.
How Long Does it Take for the Heater to Warm the Car?
Older carbureted cars took about 15 minutes to reach the desired temperature for the heater. Modern fuel-injected cars take around 3 minutes.
Common Reasons for a Car Heater Not Warming Up:
The cabin temperature isn't set correctly.
The car's thermostat is faulty.
