Immersed as we are in the middle of autumn, with winter already on our heels, heating the car is essential to be able to make a comfortable journey. In addition to allowing us to defog the windows, it is necessary so that we can remove the jacket or coat.
Driving with bulky outerwear hinders your handling and limits your freedom of movement. As if that were not enough, it reduces the effectiveness of the seat belt, preventing it from fitting properly. For all this, you expose yourself to an infraction punishable by a fine of 200 euros.
However, it may happen that you get in the car, turn on the engine, turn on the heating and… get the unpleasant surprise that it blows out cold air. In most vehicles, it is necessary to wait for the engine to warm up enough for the heating to return the heat we are asking for. But, if after a reasonable amount of time, it continues to expel cold air, you are probably facing a breakdown.
The Royal Automobile Club of Catalonia (RACC) states that the entry of heat into the car’s cabin is due to the operation of a set of several elements. Therefore, if the heating does not heat up, it may be due to the malfunction of one or more of these systems.
They point out that the most common problems due to which the heating does not work are the failure of the thermostat, the electric water pump, or the internal clogging of a water hose or a solenoid valve. Although it does not necessarily have to be due to an error in the air conditioning system itself, the fault may also be the failure of some engine component due to which the adequate temperature is not reached.
From RACC they explain that the car’s engine generates heat when it is running and the radiator, together with the fan, is responsible for keeping excess temperature under control. This surplus is precisely what is used to heat the passenger compartment. There are mechanical heaters that work with a radiator mounted flush with the instrument panel, connected by two hoses to the engine cooling system.
But the most modern and common heaters currently are automatic ones, which activate the necessary mechanisms to reach the desired temperature based on the climatic conditions inside and outside the car. Finally, there are electric heaters, which provide heat quickly without having to wait for the engine to warm up.
Whatever the air conditioning system that your car has, if it expels cold air no matter how much heat you ask for it, you should go for a check at the dealership or your trusted mechanical workshop. There they will be able to evaluate the origin of the problem, as well as the relevant solution.