For drivers who happen to live in a climate that experiences cold winter temperatures outside, heaters in vehicles are a much-appreciated feature. For those who may be skeptical, come up north anytime between the months of December and March and see just how cold the inside of that car can get after being parked outside all night. Perhaps better yet, find someone who owned an original air-cooled Volkswagen Beetle and ask them to describe what it was like to drive them during the winter! Since the days those small insect-shaped cars captivated the world in their original layout with a rear-mounted, air-cooled engine, virtually every car manufactured since has enjoyed the luxury of having heaters that actually work. As with everything else of a mechanical nature; however, things can go wrong and thus heaters can fail to function properly. Should a driver suddenly find themselves not being sufficiently warmed by their particular car’s heating unit, there are three possible explanations for shivering, and they are listed as follows in order from the least to the most serious causes. Inadequate coolant level It may seem strange that coolant; also known as antifreeze, would have any affect on a car’s ability to heat its occupants, but it certainly does just that. That mixture of water and coolant in the radiator certainly keeps the engine from overheating, but it also provides heating inside the passenger compartment on those cold days. A radiator can be thought of as a sort of furnace that converts cold air outside into warm, comfortable air inside, but if the level of coolant is too low, it will result in cold air entering the cabin through the blower vents. Most cars today provide owners with warning lights that indicate when this is the case, but those who drive older models should check their coolant level . This can be done with a suction device that resembles a transparent straw that holds a number of floating balls inside. If the coolant level is too low, the balls won’t float. If the motorist isn’t getting heat inside the car, simply adding coolant may solve the problem. Bad Thermostat A thermostat controls the temperature of the coolant in a car’s radiator and ultimately the engine, and if this component goes bad, it can result in a car with no heat. The thermostat is a valve that remains closed when a car is in the process of “warming up,” but opens when the engine has reached Category:Home › Other • Pomegranates: A newly discovered superfood • Where did the joke why did the chicken cross the road come from and why is it funny? • Can mothers diagnosed with bipolar disorder make good parents? • Spiritual evolution of human consciousness • Tips for getting a college basketball scholarship • Living with Pseudotumor cerebri (PTC) • Caring for the caregiver • Technologys impact on society
