How long after starting the car can the heater be turned on?
2 Answers
2 to 3 minutes. The air conditioning system consists of the following 5 components: 1. Ventilation system: Ensures continuous supply of fresh air into the car interior while driving, removing dust, carbon dioxide, and harmful gases from the engine; 2. Heating system: Heats the indoor air or fresh air entering from outside to achieve warming and dehumidification effects; 3. Cooling system: Reduces interior temperature when the external environment is hot, providing passengers with coolness and comfort; 4. Air purification system: Filters incoming air and continuously removes indoor pollutants to maintain clean air inside the vehicle; 5. Control system: Composed of electrical components, vacuum pipelines, and operating mechanisms, it controls the temperature and pressure of the cooling and heating systems on one hand, and manages the temperature, airflow volume, and direction inside the car on the other, enhancing all functions of the air conditioning system.
I've been driving for over a decade and often encounter this issue in winter. After starting the car, it's generally better to wait a few minutes before turning on the heater. The engine needs time to warm up, and if you turn on the heater before the temperature gauge reaches the normal range, you'll only get cold air, which wastes fuel and makes you uncomfortable. I remember one extremely cold day when I turned on the heater too soon, making the car even colder and using more fuel. The exact waiting time depends on the situation: in summer, one or two minutes might be enough, but in winter, you might need to wait three to five minutes, especially if the car has been parked overnight. It's best to keep an eye on the dashboard and turn on the heater only when the temperature needle reaches the middle. This reduces the engine's burden and extends its lifespan. Since adopting this habit, driving has become more worry-free, and I've saved on repair costs.
