No Heat Inside

Q: My car never seems to warm up inside. When I turn on the heater I get plenty of airflow but the air is lukewarm at best. What do I need to do to get hot air in my car?

A: Your problem may be the car’s thermostat. The thermostat controls the circulation of coolant in the engine. If the thermostat is stuck open, the coolant never gets a chance to warm up to the optimal temperature (usually 180 to 195 degrees Fahrenheit). And since the coolant is used to heat the inside of your car by flowing through the heater core, you only get warm air through the air vents. Also, check to make sure your engine is not low on coolant. If the coolant is low in the engine, air pockets can form. This can lead to a loss of heat in the passenger cabin. A clogged heater core can also cause heater problems. Follow the manufacturer’s recommendations for coolant flushes to avoid crud being built up in the coolant system. Inoperative heater control valves are also potential problems in getting heat inside the car.