Do you need to press the AC button to turn on the car heater?
2 Answers
You do not need to press the AC button to turn on the car heater, as the AC button is the cooling switch for the car air conditioning. The method to turn on the car heater is as follows: 1. Start the engine and let it warm up until the engine temperature gauge reaches the middle; 2. Turn on the heater and set the air circulation to external circulation to expel the cold air from the car; 3. After 2 to 3 minutes, switch the air circulation to internal circulation. The functions of the car heater are: 1. To provide warmth inside the car and increase the interior temperature; 2. To defrost. The working principle of the car heater is: The cold air is blown onto the surface of the heat exchanger, absorbs its heat, and is then directed into the car, thereby raising the interior temperature through the entire system.
As a veteran with over a decade of auto repair experience, it really pains me to see so many people pressing the AC button while using the heater in winter. The car's heating system relies on engine heat, while the AC button controls the compressor used for cooling. Pressing AC in winter forces the compressor to consume fuel for cooling, which actually slows down cabin warming. If you don't believe me, feel the water outlet pipe on the left side of the dashboard - that scalding hot pipe (when the engine warms up) is your actual heat source. Only use AC for defogging windows when needed. Normally keeping it off can save about 10% fuel. Recently during a Highlander maintenance, the owner complained about high fuel consumption - turned out the AC light had been on all winter.
