United Tire and Service News

One of the questions that we often come across is our customers asking about only getting heat when they rev up the engine. It's a troublesome issue and takes a thorough process to get to the root cause. Most of the time, it's with a car that has high mileage; however, that does not mean it can't happen to a newer car as well.  

Before we discuss the possible reasons why a car heater might only work when the engine is revved, it's important to understand how the heating system works. Your heating system has several major components that work in tandem with the engine's cooling system. They include the heater core, blower motor, heater hoses, ventilation outlets, and the air conditioning control panel. Other important components that you may be more familiar with include the thermostat, radiator, water pump, and coolant. If either of those components malfunction, it can wreak havoc on the entire heating system.

 

Once your engine reaches the ideal operating temperature, the thermostat opens, which allows the coolant to circulate through the cooling system and the heater core, and then subsequently back to the radiator. You control the amount of heat that is allowed from the blower motor, which has an inlet and an outlet. While this is happening, the heater control valve regulates the amount of heat allowed and helps to prevent the cabin from getting too hot. If this sounds complicated, it's because it is. And it takes a well-trained technician to diagnose why the car heat stops when idling. 

 

After a considerable amount of time, such as when you're warming up your car in the morning, the heater will reach its peak temperature. That is perfectly normal. However, if the heater only warms up when you rev the engine, that is a sign a component is amiss. One of which is the heater core. Although the thermostat greatly affects the engine temperature, typically, the engine will overheat if it's deficient. But when the heater core is the culprit, it's usually clogged and prevents the inner walls of the core from reaching a high temperature and may eventually cause a good amount of coolant to show on the cabin floor. While a heater core can be flushed, once a cabin floor leak occurs, the only choice is a replacement.

 

Other reasons why the car heat stops when idling include:

If you want to reduce the likelihood that your car heat will stop when idling, then adhere to proper maintenance recommendations. They are provided for good reason and will not only ensure that your car remains in the best possible condition, but they actually save you money in the long run. Often, drivers will prolong maintenance recommendations and end up paying more money due to unnecessary repairs.

 

Tips for staying current on proper maintenance:

 

With the help of United Tire & Service and 13 independent locations, you can avoid costly situations altogether by staying current. Call your local United Tire location or schedule your appointment online.