The seasons are starting to change, and that means the weather is getting cooler. For some people, that means giving your overtaxed air conditioner a break and a chance to rest. For most, it means that it’s time to schedule a seasonal inspection to make sure your vehicle is ready for the cold weather. Drivers should be aware of the importance of being ready for their region’s cooler weather conditions. Preventive maintenance should take precedence as the need to go into the colder half of the year with the antifreeze, oil, and other fluids properly flushed and topped off, greatly benefits your vehicle. Checking tire condition and replacing with winter tires is of equal importance for drivers who plan to drive in snowy conditions. What they tend to miss, though, is the significance of their vehicle’s heater during the cooler months.
At Sun Devil Auto, we understand that your heater is an important safety feature during the cooler months, when precipitation and overnight frost can both cause visibility issues that make driving safely more difficult. Having a vehicle with a heater that is strong and capable means keeping yourself comfortable, but it also means that you are able to keep your windshield clear so that you can see properly. It also means having a vehicle that is warm enough to melt any snow coming down, should you travel to the northern regions of our state. A properly functioning heater also allows moisture on the car to evaporate as you drive during the season’s coldest days.
Signs Your Heater Needs Serviced
- The blower fan function is low or nonexistent on one or more settings.
- The fan works but blows only cold air.
- The vehicle does heat up, but it takes longer than it used to.
- The heat level is inconsistent, sometimes getting too hot quickly and other times taking a long time to warm up.
- The windshield keeps fogging when the heater is running.
- Your vehicle is consuming coolant more often than usual.
All of these are signs that the heater needs to be serviced or repaired. Some signs indicate that the heater core might be working and just the fans are needing serviced, but if your vehicle is moving air and not heating up, then there’s a good chance that either the thermostat is sticking or you need a heater core replacement.
Repair and Replacement Options
Because the heater core is typically located behind the dashboard and near the center of the vehicle, access is quite difficult in most cases. That makes this repair much easier when our ASE-Certified technicians handle it. At Sun Devil Auto, we are always happy to look the entire vehicle over for seasonal maintenance concerns while we take care of your broken heater. We offer a no-cost heater assessment including a visual inspection. Check out our locations page for the Sun Devil Auto near your home or office today!
