How to Use the Car Heater?

[IanDella]

To use the car heater, follow these steps: After starting the car, wait for the temperature indicator to reach the middle position. Then, turn on the heater after approximately 8 to 15 minutes, while setting the air conditioning to internal circulation. Be careful not to turn on the AC switch, as the heater utilizes the car's own heat cycle. The direction of the warm air is usually directed forward and toward the feet. The car heating system works by blowing cold air over the surface of the heat exchanger, absorbing its heat, and directing it into the car to raise the interior temperature. The heat source comes from the engine coolant, and the water-based heating system is commonly used in sedans, large trucks, and buses with lower heating requirements.

[MacTaylor]

Let me teach you the most practical method. In winter, wait a few minutes after starting the car to let the engine coolant warm up, otherwise turning on the heater will just blow cold air. After starting, locate the air conditioning panel, rotate the temperature knob to the red zone (around 25°C is most comfortable), then press the fan icon to adjust the speed—starting from low is recommended to avoid overheating. Remember to turn off the AC button, as it's for cooling and wastes fuel when heating. If your hands or feet are cold, adjust the vents to blow downward; for foggy windows, switch to defog mode. Recirculation heats up faster but don’t keep it on—switch to fresh air mode every half hour. Automatic air conditioning is more convenient—just press AUTO and set the temperature, and it will control the fan speed itself.

[ArabellaRose]

There are tricks to using the heater in my old car. After starting the engine, drive for about three to five minutes first, then turn on the heater only when the temperature gauge needle reaches the middle. Rotate the fan speed knob to level 1 or 2—that’s enough—and set the temperature dial above 22°C, with the vents pointing downward to let the warm air rise naturally. After running the recirculation mode for half an hour, you must switch to fresh air mode, or you’ll feel dizzy from the stuffiness. If the windshield fogs up, don’t panic—just press the defrost button (the fan-shaped icon), and the fan speed will automatically increase. A common mistake beginners make is turning on the AC button, but the heater doesn’t need the compressor at all, which just wastes fuel. If you smell a strange odor, chances are the cabin air filter is dirty and needs to be replaced promptly.

[VanJoanna]

Three Steps to Turn on the Heater. 1. Warm-up: Wait until the coolant temperature reaches around 90°C (needle at the middle of the gauge) after starting the engine. 2. Operation: Turn up the temperature knob, set the fan speed to 1-3, and turn off the AC button. 3. Optimization: If your feet are cold, set the airflow to downward mode; if the windshield fogs up, press the front defroster button. For automatic climate control, simply press the AUTO button—it will automatically balance fan speed and temperature. Important: Avoid using recirculation mode continuously. Open the window or switch to fresh air mode every 20 minutes to ventilate, otherwise high CO₂ concentration may cause drowsiness.

[ElizabethLee]

I find it very hassle-free every time I operate it. After starting, drive for two kilometers to warm up the engine, then turn on the heater and set it to around 23 degrees. For manual air conditioning, turn off the AC button, adjust the fan speed to level 2, and select the combination of footwell + windshield vents for the warmest airflow. For automatic air conditioning, simply press the AUTO button and then turn the temperature knob. Key tips: Using recirculation mode heats up faster, but switch to fresh air mode on long trips to avoid oxygen deprivation. To defog, avoid wasting fuel by turning on the AC—just increase the fan speed and direct it toward the windshield for better results. For older cars, it's best to replace the cabin air filter annually to prevent musty odors from the heater.