Fall - Heating & Ventilation

Vehicle Heating and Ventilation System Inspections for Fall Car Care at Serra Honda Grandville

We count on our vehicles to take us from point A to point B, but we also rely on them to keep us comfortable on the way. When the cold weather quickly makes its way to Michigan, you'll want to be sure your heating and ventilation system in your car is working properly. Without our heating and ventilation systems we wouldn't be comfortable, but we also wouldn't be able to see the road clearly. Our heating and ventilation system easily clears our windshield and windows of ice, frost, and fog from the inside. The system includes components under the hood that are also responsible for regulating engine temperature. This means that letting a problem with your heating and ventilation slide could mean you're creating a bigger issue under the hood, which could lead to damage and costly repair. While your heating and ventilation system isn't a part of routine maintenance, it's a good idea to have it inspected before the cold weather arrives. Below we'll discuss what parts are involved with your vehicle heating and ventilation system and signs there's an issue with the system.

What Parts Make Up The Vehicle Heating and Ventilation System?

There are a few components in your vehicle's heating and ventilation system that give it the ability to keep you warm, keep air flowing throughout the cabin, and keep the windshield and windows clear from the inside. The parts that make up the heating and ventilation system include:

• Radiator
• Hoses
• Heater Core
• Blower Fan
• Thermostat
• Control Panel

Your vehicle's heating system works by taking the heat the engine creates and distributing it back to the cabin. This happens through the parts listed above. The process goes like this: as coolant is circulated throughout the engine, it collects heat. The coolant is then sent to the radiator and distributed to the heater core where a blower fan helps to move the heated air through your vents. The driver or passengers can then control the strength of the airflow and temperature.

Signs Your Heating & Ventilation System Isn't Working Properly

While there are some obvious signs your heating and ventilation system isn't working properly, there are some not so obvious signs that can easily be ignored. Because of the importance of your heating and ventilation system to your safety and comfort, make sure to look out for these signs, and schedule a system inspection as soon as possible. Some of the signs your system isn't working properly include:

• Loss of Temperature Control: In this instance, when you turn the temperature up or down, your vehicle simply won't respond appropriately. The thermostat is likely the problem as it is not able to recognize the current temperature in the engine, and isn't able to adjust. You most likely will still have control over the airflow, but you should schedule an appointment for an inspection and possible thermostat replacement as soon as possible.
• There Is No Airflow or Only Cold Airflow: If there is no airflow happening in the cabin at all, it's most likely a broken or bad blower fan. You can test this by turning the fan all the way up, if there's no response, you'll need to have your blower fan and ventilation system inspected. To keep a clear windshield and windows, your blower fan is necessary, so make sure to schedule a service appointment as soon as possible. Alternatively, if your airflow is only cold air, there's a problem somewhere in the heating system aside from the blower fan. If you're not feeling warm air when you ask for it, then it's time for an inspection!
• The Cabin Fogs Up Quickly at Random: If there is a sudden burst of steam that fogs up the inside of your cabin, this could mean you have a coolant leak. If your coolant is leaking inside the engine, the liquid can evaporate and be sent through to your cabin as steam, therefore fogging up the windows. This is typically a sign of a problem with your heater core. Make an appointment to have your vehicle inspected by one of our ASE Certified technicians, especially since the fog can impair your vision of the road.
• The Air Coming Through Your Vents Smells Funny: There are two typical scents someone might experience when turning on the air: sweet, or mildew-like. The sweet smell can be because of a coolant leak. You can check yourself by taking a look under your vehicle for a bright colored liquid puddle, or have one of our technicians take a look. The mildew scent can be a cause of mildew within the cabin air filter, which can happen naturally overtime. This is usually a quick fix as it's a simple replacement of the cabin's air filter. If the air coming from your vents smells mildew or sweet, schedule an appointment to have your ventilation system inspected.
• The Engine is Overheating: Many component issues within your vehicle, including your heating and ventilation system, can cause an overheating engine. Because of this, the cause can be hard to identify yourself. Engine overheating can cause major damage and wear to parts quickly. If you do experience this, make sure to pull over and stop the vehicle immediately, then schedule a service appointment.

Schedule Your Heating and Ventilation Inspection or Fall Car Care Service at Serra Honda Grandville