Why does my car heater take so long to get warm?

A few things that cause automotive heaters to work less well are low coolant levels in the radiator, a faulty heater valve, or the thermostat is stuck open. Have a certified mechanic replace your thermostat if necessary or diagnose and repair other cooling system issues, such as leaking coolant.

Why does the car heater take so long to get warm?

The block heater warms the coolant inside the engine so it won’t take long to get warm air from the vents once the engine is started. This option is more environmentally friendly, since you are only using electric power.

Can a faulty thermostat cause a car to not feel warm?

A faulty thermostat will affect the proper flow of water and can cause issues with the heating system. The heater control value isn’t working. This valve opens to allow the water to flow into the heater core. If the heater control valve is the culprit, the air coming into your vehicle won’t feel warm.

What does it mean if your car heater is not working?

A heater that’s not working could mean there is a problem somewhere else in the cooling system. If that’s the case and you don’t get it fixed, you could wind up with a major repair expense, or worse… an engine that needs to be replaced.

Why is my car not running at a constant temp?

This problem could be either an engine thermostat that is not keeping the engine at a constant running temperature (temp gauge steady in the center), or the heater control valve or controls are malfunctioning not allowing engine coolant into the heater core (passenger compartment).

Why does my car heater only blow warm and not hot?

It does take some time for the coolant to get hot enough to blow hot inside of the vehicle. I usually start by checking the coolant level. Low coolant will cause this. If the coolant level is fine then you may have an issue with the thermostat being stuck in the open position.

How long does it take for a car heater to warm up?

If you have a late-model car or SUV with a 4-cylinder engine, and it is parked outside in below-freezing temperatures, it may take up to 10-15 minutes of driving before you can get good heat from the vents. An older car with a larger engine may take 5-10 minutes of driving to warm up.

What to do if your car heater is not working?

After letting the car cool, remove the radiator cap and place the funnel in the opening. Pour in the new coolant until the reservoir is full. You may need to grab the main coolant hose and physically pump the coolant to ensure there are no air pockets. Replace the radiator cap.