Now that winter is here, having a working car heater is essential to any drive around town. There’s nothing like turning on the car heater to find cold air coming out and having to drive to work shivering. Worse, you could find out that your car heater isn’t working right before leaving for a long road trip. Before you bundle up for the road, try troubleshooting car heating problems to save yourself a cold drive!
Troubleshooting Car Heating Problems
Car heaters work by blowing the heat which is naturally produced by car engines through a heater core and into the cabin of the vehicle. Like other components in your vehicle, there are many potential causes for car heaters to stop blowing warm air.
The first thing to determine when troubleshooting car heating problems is whether warm air is available to be pumped into the vehicle. Heat being ‘available’ refers to whether or not heat can move from the engine compartment into the cabin. Troubleshooting car heating problems only takes a few minutes and can save you time and unnecessary trips to the mechanic.
First, start the car and let it get warm. Your heater relies on hot coolant flowing through the heater core, so this step may take 5 – 10 minutes to heat up depending on the age of your vehicle. Once your car has heated up, turn on your heater and fan to their maximum settings.
The next step will depend on whether or not you feel heat coming out of the vents.
Heat is Flowing Through the Vents
If you do feel heat from the vents, even if just a weak stream, then the issue could be a blown fuse or a malfunctioning fan. To troubleshoot a car heater when heat is flowing through the vents, follow these steps:
- Listen to hear if the fan engages. If you don’t hear the fan engage, the issue could be a broken fan or a blown fuse.
- Check to see if the fuse is blown. Your vehicle’s owner’s manual will show you where the fusebox is located as well as which fuse you’ll need to check. Most cars come with spare fuses, but in case yours does not, they are easy to get at your local auto supply shop. Just make sure that the fuse is rated for the correct amperage. This detail will also be located in your owner’s manual.
Heat is Not Flowing Through the Vents
If you don’t feel any heat coming out of the vents, then the problem could be low coolant levels, water pump problems, or a broken thermostat. Other issues may include damaged or dented hoses in the vehicle’s cooling system or a malfunctioning gate on the heater duct. To troubleshoot a car heater when heat is not flowing through the vents:
- Check your coolant levels. If they’re low, fill up your coolant (it’s important to do this only when the car is cool). Wait for the car to heat, then try to use the heater again.
- If refilling the coolant does not fix the problem, then the heating issue may be more severe. Water pump issues and broken thermostats may need to be looked at by your mechanic to diagnose and repair.
You might be thinking that with enough gloves, scarves, and coats, you can tough out the winter without a working car heater. But heaters are important to your vehicle’s overall safety and visibility too. Your windshield defroster relies on warm air to keep the glass clear.
Troubleshooting Car Heating Problems at T3 Atlanta
With this winter being one of the coldest in recent memory, a busted car heater can make your morning commute uncomfortable to say the least. Make an appointment with T3 Atlanta for your Toyota, Nissan, Infiniti, or Lexus vehicle. We’ll troubleshoot your car heating problems and make sure the rest of your winter driving is warm and comfortable.
Automotive oil reservoirs are designed to hold a bit of extra oil to compensate for fluid expansion in warm conditions, and to help prevent damage to the engine in case excessive oil is added to the engine. As a result, half a quart may not cause any damage to your engine, but much more than that could lead to engine damage.
The most important thing to do when your car has been overfilled with oil is to drain the excess amount in the reservoir before you drive the vehicle again.
Considering that oil changes are recommended every 3,000 miles, you may be wondering why you need to change your oil for the winter as well. A lot the reason is to protect the vehicle’s engine to make sure that sufficient lubrication reaches all parts. At 20 degrees, your car’s oil will be the consistency of maple syrup, increasing the amount of time it takes for oil to lubricate the engine properly.
As you can see, there are a lot of benefits for changing your oil to a winter-friendly weight. But whether or not you need to change the oil for the winter depends on where you live.
Although the name sounds silly, the term ‘fishtailing’ is a good way to think about what happens during this type of loss of control. While the car is moving, the rear end of the car slides out of alignment with the front wheels and may waver back and forth, much like a fish swimming.
Road conditions, especially icy, snowy, wet, or slick conditions
Stay calm
Snow plow drivers have a limited range of vision and may not see a passing vehicle
Call for assistance as soon as you can.
Having an emergency kit in your car is invaluable when you find yourself stuck on the side of the road no matter the weather. When it comes to winter travel, however, this kit can be a lifesaver.
The engine oil is most likely the car fluid you will change most often. You’ll no doubt hear a lot of differing opinion about how often your car can or should go between oil changes.
Antifreeze, also known as coolant, is a fluid that is normally topped off throughout the year – especially right before summer and winter. This essential fluid keeps your car running cool and also prevents pipes and hoses from freezing.
The power steering fluid in your vehicle ensures that you can turn your wheel easily and with little effort. Over time, this fluid may become low or need changing altogether. The biggest telltale sign is when you turn the wheel and hear a creak. The next largest sign is that it’s getting harder to turn the wheel at all.
Adjustable/ combination wrench or battery wrench
Detach all the cables connected to the battery, starting with the negative battery cable. This cable is usually black.
Believe it or not, there isn’t an exact amount of time that car batteries last. Several factors, including where you live and what kind of driving you do, influence the longevity of your car battery. By and large, though, you can expect the following:
Traction control reduces the power to the wheel when the onboard computer detects slippage. In most situations, this feature can improve your overall safety by preventing the car from oversteering or going out of control. In snow, on the other hand, you’ll usually need that extra boost to get out of a snow drift.
If you’re having a really difficult time getting your car out of the snow, consider sprinkling an abrasive substance like cat litter, sand, salt, or gravel in front of the tires. If ice has accumulated on your car or tires, you could even sprinkle broken up ice to improve traction for your tires.
When the thermometer starts to dip towards the freezing line, it’s a good time to check on your tires.
When visibility is poor and conditions are slick, it’s usually a good idea to slow down and exercise more caution. Use your best judgment and stay safe during inclement weather!
Keeping your gas tank above the half full mark has a few different benefits. For one, you can prevent long term damage to your vehicle. Condensation collects in the gas tank during colder temperatures and may lead to rusting. However, if your gas tank is at least half full, the gasoline itself absorbs any excess moisture and prevents this problem from developing.
If you aren’t planning on driving in snowy weather regularly, such as if you are traveling through the mountains or a snowy region to your destination, tire chains are easy to put on.
