How to Turn on the Car Heater in Winter?
4 Answers
Winter car heater operation method is: 1. Start the engine and let the car run normally to warm up for a period of time; 2. Turn on the heater switch after the temperature gauge pointer reaches the center of the temperature scale; 3. Set the air circulation mode to external circulation to allow some cold air to be discharged from the car before starting the circulation. When the outdoor air quality is poor, it is recommended to switch to internal circulation. After the interior temperature rises, you can turn off the heater and turn it on again after a while. For a period of time after initially turning on the heater, window fogging usually occurs. At this time, simply adjust the air direction to the front windshield and let the warm air blow continuously for one or two minutes to remove the condensation.
In winter, I usually warm up the car for a few minutes after getting in, waiting until the coolant temperature gauge needle rises to the middle before turning on the fan. Remember to turn the temperature knob to the red high-temperature zone and reduce the fan speed to avoid chilly drafts. For automatic air conditioning, pressing the AUTO button will automatically adjust the fan speed and airflow. It's especially important to turn off the AC button, as the air conditioning compressor is completely unnecessary in winter and will consume extra fuel. It's best to set the airflow direction to both footwell and windshield modes—warming your feet heats up the whole body and helps prevent window fogging. Use recirculation mode for the first half-hour to heat up faster, but switch to fresh air mode after a while to avoid stuffiness. Clean the cabin air filter monthly; otherwise, warm air will carry dust into the car, which is particularly unfriendly for people with respiratory conditions.
After five years of driving my car, I've figured out the winter heating tricks: After ignition, first open the windows to let out cold air, drive slowly until the engine temperature rises before turning on the blower. Set the temperature directly to maximum, adjust the airflow direction downward toward the feet, and combine it with seat heating for maximum comfort. Key reminder: Don't touch the AC button—that's for cooling only. On highways, prolonged use of recirculation mode can cause drowsiness, so switch to fresh air mode for ten seconds every half hour to ventilate. If you notice fogging on the windows, immediately increase the fan speed and direct airflow toward the windshield. Winter heating hardly consumes extra fuel—it's a clever use of engine waste heat. However, when temperatures drop below freezing, be cautious about exhaust pipe freezing; turn off the heating a few minutes before parking to keep the engine temperature higher.
Using the heater in winter requires proper timing and techniques. Turning on the heater immediately after a cold start can harm the engine—wait until the coolant temperature reaches 90°C for optimal operation. For manual air conditioning, turn the temperature knob to the red zone; for automatic systems, set it above 25°C using AUTO mode. Ensure the AC light is off, as the compressor doesn’t aid heating. Choose foot-level or mixed airflow modes to avoid drowsiness from direct hot air to the face. On long drives, avoid continuous recirculation—occasionally switch to fresh air mode to prevent high CO₂ levels. Regularly check coolant levels, as insufficient coolant weakens heating performance. In snowy/rainy weather, close the fresh air intake when parked to prevent moisture from freezing in the AC ducts.
