There are few things more comforting in the middle of a Medford winter than being able to thaw out your cold fingers on the hot air vents of your car, especially if you have a long drive ahead of you. On occasion, however, you might realize that no matter how far you turn the dial or how high you crank up the heat, you get nothing but cold air. On particularly chilly days, the lack of a car heater can make driving absolutely unbearable.
There are multiple different components that could contribute to a sudden malfunction of your heating system. Here are a few of the most common reasons why the heat in your car may not be working properly:
- There is not enough coolant in the engine
You might be wondering what coolant has to do with heating. While the primary purpose of the coolant is to cool your engine down, it is also used in the heater core to warm up the air for your car. Low levels of coolant will interfere with the process.
- There is a problem with your heater core
A clog in the tubing of your heater core could prevent it from warming up the air in your car.
- There is a leak in your system
There are numerous areas of the heating system in your vehicle that could have developed a leak. If the leak is large enough, the system will no longer be operational.
Additionally, if you have an older car it’s possible that simple wear and tear over time has caused valves, knobs and other parts of the interior to become gummed up with dust and debris. Scheduling maintenance for your heating and cooling system is a good way to ensure that every component is still in good shape.
If you’ve noticed that the heat is no longer working in your car, or simply would like to have a professional provide some routine maintenance, contact Ken Scales Automotive at 541-772-6736.
