It’s the time of year that temperatures are quickly dropping. Now our morning commute is a little more uncomfortable, not only because it may still be dark out, but because we are waking up and leaving our houses in temperatures in the 30’s or lower. Is your car ready and able to thaw you and your windshield out before you hit the road? If you have noticed that cool air is blowing in through your vents, you will want to have your vehicle looked at now, before the temperatures continue to drop.
What Causes a Heater to Stop Working?
There are several things that can cause a heater to stop working. The most common things we see at Meridian Automotive are as follows:
- Low antifreeze/water level in the radiator. Possibly form a leak in the cooling system.
- Malfunctioning thermostat that doesn’t allow the engine to properly warm up.
- Blower fan that isn’t working properly.
- Coolant that is full of debris or otherwise contaminated, blocking the heating core from circulating air into the cabin.
Cooling System Maintenance Can Prevent Car Heater Failure
There are several components to the heating system. Because of this, we recommend that you have one of our reliable mechanics look over and diagnose heater problems.
Houses have a set heating unit that can be replaced if needed, this isn’t exactly the case for your vehicle. The heating system for your vehicle consists of a combination of things. In fact, the system used to heat up the cabin of your vehicle isn’t very different from the engines cooling system. When the engine reaches its operating temperature – which is controlled by a thermostat – it heats up the coolant and passes it into the heating core, which is like a small radiator. Then a blower fan pushes the warm air that comes from the heating core through your cabin air filter and into the cabin of the vehicle from under the dashboard.
A healthy cooling system results in a healthy heater core and system. Maintaining your cooling system will help prevent heater failure. Check the hoses and belts and keep coolant full and clean. Flush the coolant system every two to three years, or when recommended by your owner’s manual. When you have your cooling system flushed, it ensures that the coolant can easily flow through the engine, the radiator, and the heater core so that your engine cools properly and your heater works fast and hot on these cold winter mornings. Many late model vehicles won’t require service to the cooling system for 60,000 to 100,000 miles, and heating problems are not common amongst newer vehicles.
There’s no reason to have a car heater that’s not working, especially in the wintertime. Bring your vehicle in to Meridian Automotive if you are experiencing any problems. We can quickly diagnose and repair the problem. Call (208) 297-5573 or schedule an appointment online.
