The last thing you want to do in a cold climate is to be stranded in a car or driving to work, or the store, and the car air conditioning system is blowing cold air. You’ll need to switch on your car heater when cold weather arrives. But don’t worry, even in newer cars, the different heater controls aren’t much more complicated than they used to be.
The engine must first reach operating temperature, shown by the temperature gauge reaching the midway point before you can switch on the heat in your automobile.
Turn the temperature control and fan to let hot air into the cabin. The temperature dial has blue and red sections indicating how hot or cold the heating system should be. Also, fan speed controls are often shown as fan pictures or numbers. With newer vehicles, you can have air conditioner controls that are overwhelming.
So, in our guide, you can learn all you need about how to turn the heat on in a car. By the end, you’ll see how to use the heating and air direction controls. You’ll quickly master your car’s heater controls and be highlighted if you face any common car heater problems. (Read Car With Expired Tags On Street)
How To Use Your Car Heater Controls?
In a newer vehicle, activating the heater is as simple as turning on the fan, the thermostat, and the engine.
Follow these procedures to activate the heating in an automatic system:
- On the control panel’s right side, press the auto button first. The feature for automated climate control is started.
- Then, using the heating controls, set the temperature to your preference. If preferred, choose two separate temperatures for the passenger and driver sides.
- Activate dual climate control by simply pressing the “Dual” button.
- Your car heater will automatically switch between hot and cold air to maintain your preferred temperature.
Do You Need The Air Conditioning System To Heat Your Car?
The air conditioner’s purpose is to provide cool ambient air and help with the windshield and rear demister.
- You should turn the fan and set the temperature control dials to full for complete heating.
- If your car’s heater has a digital display, press the increase button until it reads “28” or “high.”
How To Turn on the Heat Manually?
The procedures listed below will help you manually turn on your car heater if you drive an older vehicle or don’t want to use the automatic heating system for air inside your car. Start your car, then let the engine idle, as warm air isn’t available until the engine warms. Depending on the engine size and fuel type, cars typically take five minutes to generate heat.
The temperature control button can be adjusted. In addition, a toggle wheel or dial (the heating is increased by turning it clockwise) or a digital display will be available. Some modern cars include a separate climate control button for the driver and the passenger.
By turning on the fan, you turn on the car heater. Set the heater fan’s speed as desired. Remember that altering the fan speed only improves the distribution of your desired temperature and has no effect on the heated air temperature.
Turning the dial clockwise increases the desired speed of the fan and pushes more heat into the car.
What Are The Different Heater Controls?
The heating system in your automobile may appear confusing when you see all the different dials and temperature control buttons.
Knowing about each one enables you to turn on the heat, or if you have dual climate controls, you can keep a cool temperature in the summer. (Learn How To Clean Car Battery Terminals)
1. Car Heater Temperature Controls
Naturally, the temperature button is one of the most critical components of the heater control panel. While more modern cars have digital screens and older vehicles have colored toggles.
While many cars have separate settings for the heater for the driver and passenger, most luxury vehicles go a step further and provide heat for rear passengers.
2. Fan Speed Controls
The fan speed control performs precisely what its name implies: it regulates the fan speed of the blower motor inside the climate control system. Think of the blower fan button as the heating system “on” switch.
It pushes the air about your car faster and operates at different speeds without altering the temperature. Your car may have a digital display or dial similar to the heater controls.
3. Air Direction Controls
You can distribute air inside your vehicle with various air distribution settings.
Common separate controls in most cars comprise:
- Side windows
- Windshield
- Passengers Feet
- Passengers face
- Face and feet
This is highlighted by an image of a seated person and arrows pointing to various areas.
It is worth remembering no matter what setting you select; this doesn’t speed up or slow down the heater blower motor. It is merely a pipe splitter for the air coming from the air conditioning system.
4. Air Recirculation Button
The air outdoors is used by car heaters to heat themselves. Air is drawn into the system by an exterior vent, passes through a filter, exits a heat exchanger, and then is distributed through interior vents in your car.
The recirculation button prevents fresh air from outside from entering the cabin. Recirculating the partially heated air is frequently the quickest way to get the interior of a car to the required temperature because cars take a while to heat.
When the air quality is terrible, activating the recirculation feature is helpful for short periods. Keep in mind that leaving it on for an extended period can cause the windows to mist and the air quality in the cabin to decline.
5. Windshield and Rear Windshield Defrost
A defrost button is present in many vehicles with a climate control system. Its purpose is to quickly defrost your side windows and windshield, no matter how cold the outside air is.
The pre-programmed setting defrosts the cabin using the heater in your car. Press the button, and your windows will defrost and then shut off.
What To Do If My Car’s Heater Doesn’t Turn On?
You should expect a miserable trip if the heater button in the car doesn’t work. When you spot a problem with your car heater, it is essential to take it to a trusted mechanic.
By considering the four typical climate system issues listed below, you might attempt to determine the problem for yourself:
1. Thermostat Issues
If your car heater isn’t working, check the thermostat, which heats the car’s engine or cools your car’s cooling system. The temperature inside can be caused by the thermostat sticking open or closed and can lead to overheating of the heater core or excessive cooling.
A stuck thermostat means you can blow cold air, even when you turn on the heater, which isn’t good in winter, and the inside is as cold as the outside air.
2. Electrical Problems
Electrical issues can occasionally cause automotive heating systems to malfunction. Your car heater may fail for several reasons, including loose wires, problems with the blower motor, and fuse box troubles.
Call a professional if the blower motor or air flowing from the vents are silent.
3. Dirt and Blockages
The air conditioning system in your car can grow dusty, mainly if used frequently. Blockages cause automobile heaters to malfunction because the coolant system controls airflow. Have a professional check the issue and repair your car’s heater fan. (Read Is It Bad To Sit In Car With AC On)
4. Stuck Heater Controls
Finally, temperature control buttons that are faulty or jammed can cause issues with the car heater. Usually, a fast cleaning can solve the problem and bring your manual climate control back.
Other times, they can have faulty connections that need to be fixed by a reliable mechanic.
