With winter on the horizon, now is a good time to plan the necessary winter maintenance for your vehicle. As part of this, you should also consider the car heater. In winter weather the car heater is crucial for maintaining comfortable temperature levels within the vehicle, as well as for increasing safety and visibility. But what are the important steps for preparing your car heater for winter? And how can you make sure that your car heater will remain in top condition throughout the winter months?
So what are the important steps for preparing your car heater for winter?
There are a number of important steps to take when it comes to preparing your vehicle’s heater for the winter months. These include:
- Checking the heaters functionality
- Inspecting and topping up the coolant
- Checking the thermostat
- Examining the heater core
Check the car heater for functionality in preparation for winter
The first step you should take is to test the heater itself for functionality and practicality. Turn on the heater and rest it’s performance at different settings, especially once the engine has warmed up. If it’s taking a long time to hear, or it doesn’t seem to be as hot as you would expect, this can be a clear sign that your car heater has a problem or issue. This is very important as if can help you to catch and identify issues early, to prevent discomfort and potential safety hazards in winter.
Inspect and top up the coolant to prepare your car heater for winter
Another important step to take is to make sure that there is enough coolant. This is also known as antifreeze, and it is circulated through the engine, where it absorbs heat and then passes through the heater core, transferring that heat into the cabin. Low or old coolant can impair the heating system’s performance. This is important as an insufficient level of coolant can lead to poor heating, and can even cause engine damage due to overheating. The antifreeze also protects the engine and heater core from freezing in sub-zero temperatures.
You should start by checking the coolant level in the reservoir (when the engine is cold). If it’s below the required level, top it up with a mixture of antifreeze and water. In most cases, the correct ratio is 50:50, but it’s always best to check your vehicle’s manual.
Checking the thermostat
One of the most important aspects of the car’s heating system is the thermostat. This regulated the temperature of the engine by controlling the flow of coolant. As such, a malfunctioning thermostat can cause a range of problems with your heating system, either making it difficult to reach the desired temperature or causing the engine to overheat.
To test your thermostat, start the car from cold and keep an eye on the temperature gauge. If the engine takes an unusually long time to warm up, or if it overheats quickly, your thermostat may need to be replaced.
It’s important to check the thermostat as a fault or problem affects both the heater’s ability to warm the cabin and the engine’s efficiency. Replacing a malfunctioning thermostat is a relatively inexpensive repair compared to the damage that could occur from overheating.
Examine the heater core when preparing your car heater for winter
The heater core is a small radiator-like device that transfers heat from the engine coolant into the car’s cabin. If the heater core becomes clogged or corroded, the heater may not work properly. Signs of a failing heater core include a sweet smell inside the cabin (from leaking coolant), fogging windows, or inconsistent heating. To check for issues, inspect the area under the dashboard for any coolant leaks. If you suspect a problem, it’s best to consult a mechanic, as replacing or cleaning the heater core can be a complex task.
Here at MRS Heat Transfer we are radiator, car heater, intercooler, generator radiator, and air conditioning experts, and we have the skills, knowledge and expertise to resolve any generator radiator problem. Why not get in touch today to find out more?