What is the appropriate temperature for car heating in winter?
3 Answers
In winter, it is appropriate to set the car heating to around 26 degrees Celsius. If it is particularly cold, you can initially set the temperature a bit higher. The car's air conditioning is something used daily during winter, and its heating principle is quite simple. When the heating is turned on, the high-temperature coolant from the engine flows through the heater core. At the same time, the air blown by the blower also passes through the heater core, allowing warm air to be emitted from the vents. The car's air conditioning can also provide cooling, which is almost a daily necessity during summer driving. The cooling principle of car air conditioning is as follows: when the cooling mode is activated, the engine drives the compressor to operate. The compressor then continuously compresses the refrigerant and delivers it to the evaporator.
When driving in winter, I find setting the heating temperature between 22 to 25 degrees Celsius most comfortable. As an experienced long-distance driver frequently operating in cold regions, I've found this range provides warmth without stuffiness. If set too high, say above 26 degrees, the cabin becomes uncomfortably hot and may cause drowsiness, which is unsafe. I usually start the car and wait for the engine to warm up before turning on the heater to avoid sudden temperature spikes that might cause discomfort. Passengers also prefer this temperature range, never complaining about being too cold or hot. Additionally, adjusting based on road conditions is crucial: in congested urban areas, I set it slightly lower around 20 degrees to save fuel; on highways, 23-24 degrees is perfect for maintaining alertness. Remember not to set it too low - below 20 degrees can make feet numb and affect brake response.
As a health-conscious parent, setting the car heater to 23-25°C in winter is most appropriate. When driving my kids to school, temperatures that are too low can easily make them catch a cold, but if it's too high, the air inside the car becomes dry, causing their skin to itch. I recommend stabilizing the car temperature at around 23°C to avoid nasal congestion or headaches caused by large temperature differences between inside and outside. From a safety perspective, excessively high temperatures can make people drowsy, increasing the risk of accidents; I often remind my family to use seat heating together for more even warmth. Additionally, for long drives, I use the recirculation mode to reduce the entry of cold outside air, but switch to fresh air mode periodically to maintain air freshness, which also helps prevent the effects of smog on breathing.
