This equipment is not widely used in Brazil, but it can take a while to work when we need it
With the arrival of winter, many drivers remember the hot air and put the equipment to work, when temperatures start to drop. However, it takes a few minutes to actually start heating the cabin. Would this be a problem?
In most cases no, it’s just the normal operation of the heater. Having problems and breakages in hot air is not common in new cars.
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It was only in the last 15 years that air conditioning became common and even standard in popular cars. Before that, it was an option and hot air came as standard. More than 30 years ago, there were models where even the heater was optional.
The operation of the heater is independent of the air conditioning; It works in conjunction with the cooling system. The system takes advantage of the heat generated by the engine to heat the cabin. The heated coolant passes through the hot air core, located behind the panel. A fan directs this heat to the cabin ventilation pipes.
As it depends on the heat generated by the engine, hot air only works effectively after the engine reaches its working temperature. That’s why, on cold days, the heater can take a few minutes to work, which is not a defect.
The fact that hot air works in conjunction with the cooling system can be a deal-breaker in an emergency. If the engine starts to overheat and the driver has no way to stop immediately, turning on the heater will alleviate the situation somewhat.
In this way, another heat exchange point will be created, in addition to having a quantity of cold water stored in the hot air system. This will give you a few more minutes until you can stop the car. It is important to remember that running for a long time with overheating can cause major losses, such as warping the cylinder head and melting the engine.
As it is hot most of the year in Brazil, it is not uncommon to see mechanics who deactivate the hot air to solve a problem in the easiest way. In Fords with Zetec Rocam engines, for example, the valve that regulates the circulation of hot air in the heating air gap can break open. In order not to have to mess with it, they often isolate the system.
Lack of proper maintenance with the ventilation system can also lead to defects in the hot air. In cars without a cabin filter or with it saturated, the pipes accumulate dirt and the hoses that carry the coolant to the core can crack, causing it to drip on the floor.
If you bought a used car and the heater doesn’t work, the reason may be one of those we mentioned. The repair will involve a complete overhaul of the system.
While in combustion cars hot air does not affect consumption or performance, in an electric car these effects occur. Since there is no motor generating heat, the heating system is electric and dependent on the battery.
There are two types of heaters for electric cars. One of them uses a resistance, as in a hair dryer; This type is the least efficient and consumes the most battery. In more modern models, a heat pump is used, which has an operating principle similar to that of air conditioning. This pump also uses a refrigerant gas and can act to cool the car. Its impact on autonomy is less than that of resistance.
The advantage of electric cars on cold days is being able to heat the cabin as soon as it is started. On the other hand, this affects autonomy.
