What needs to be turned on to activate the car's heater?
2 Answers
To activate the car's heater, you need to turn on the air conditioning, but you should not turn on the A/C switch. The A/C switch is for cooling, and turning it on will switch the system to cooling mode. The air conditioning can adjust temperature: This is the main function of the car's air conditioning system. In summer, the cooling system produces cold air to lower the temperature inside the cabin. In winter, except for large commercial vehicles that use independent combustion heaters for warmth, most other vehicles utilize the car's residual heat for heating. The air conditioning can adjust humidity: Humidity greatly affects the comfort of passengers inside the car. The humidity inside the cabin should generally be maintained between 30% and 70%. Standard car air conditioning systems do not have the function to adjust cabin humidity. Humidity can only be regulated by using ventilation systems or the advanced integrated heating and cooling air conditioners found in luxury vehicles. The air conditioning can adjust airflow: The speed and direction of airflow significantly impact passenger comfort. If the air is blowing directly, the speed should be limited to a certain range when the temperature is appropriate. The airflow speed can be adjusted based on passengers' living environment, age, health condition, and personal preferences for warmth or coolness.
I always care about how to turn on the heater before driving, especially when it's freezing in winter. It's quite simple: first, start the engine and let it warm up until the coolant temperature rises enough to produce warm air. Then, locate the temperature knob on the dashboard, turn it to the red heating symbol or set it above 26°C, and press the fan speed button to start blowing. You'll feel warm after a while. It's recommended not to rush into turning on the recirculation mode or the A/C cooling, as that only wastes fuel and reduces effectiveness. The engine needs a few minutes to warm up, especially in cold weather. Regular maintenance checks on the coolant and fan system can prevent heater-related issues, such as weak airflow or no heat—if these occur, visit a professional auto repair shop.
