Your car, truck or SUV heater is critical as another Johnsburg winter approaches

As winter rolls into Johnsburg, you're going

to want the heater in your car, truck or SUV
to work well. It'll keep you warm but it will
also defrost your windows.

It’s cold out here in Johnsburg – really, really cold. You can just imagine how cold you’ll be out there scraping the ice and frost off your windshield and windows. Then, you’ll get in the car and shiver violently until the engine warms up enough to provide you with a little relief-giving warmth.

If you have a remote starter, or a way to run out and start the engine while securing the car while it warms up, that’s a great way to alleviate the situation. Of course, that assumes your vehicle is operating properly and will provide the heat you seek. But what if it isn’t?

If the heater inside your car, truck or SUV doesn’t work properly, the discomfort of a Johnsburg winter may become an inconvenience or even a serious problem. You’re counting on that heater to ensure that you’re not freezing the entire trip, wherever you’re going. You’re also counting on it to help defrost ice and frost from the windshield and windows.

In its role as a defroster, the heater helps with the initial process of clearing ice and frost from the glass around your vehicle’s cabin. But it goes further than that; it also helps to keep the frost off the windows while you drive.

When you first get in the car, truck or SUV, you may be breathing vapor which produces condensation that can fog up the glass.

Condensation results when a low temperature changes the particles of your breath into a vapor with liquid droplets that will collect on surfaces nearby. But if the temperature is raised, condensation doesn’t occur. The heater performs the magic that avoids condensation.

What this all comes down to is that your vehicle’s heater performs two distinct duties. One role is to help you keep the windows clear so you can see where you’re going while driving. The other role is to provide some comfort for you and your passengers while you drive.

If the heater does fail there are several possible explanations as to why:
The antifreeze/coolant is low allowing for pockets of air in the lines that run through the heater core inside the dashboard.
The engine thermostat isn’t operating properly and remains open so that the coolant/antifreeze doesn’t have sufficient opportunity to build up heat.
The heater core is leaking (if this is the case, you may smell a sickly-sweet odor).
The blower motor has failed.
The temperature controls in your dashboard are faulty possibly interfering with the blend door actuator that allows the warm air to be pushed out the vents.

Having your heating system checked before you’re depending on it is a great way to ensure you’re car, truck or SUV is ready to keep you warm and your windows clear before this Johnsburg winter rolls in.

Comments

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