While you’re having your battery checked and your summer tires switched out, include one system that often gets overlooked until it stops working: your vehicle’s heating system. In this article, we’ll cover the most important parts of a heating inspection and explain why they’re important.
Your heating, cooling, and ventilation (HVAC) systems are connected and therefore use several shared components. Your air conditioning worked hard to keep you cool in summer; so give the HVAC a once-over before winter hits.
You need the heat not only for comfort—and even survival, depending on where you live—but for road visibility. Your heating system keeps your windows clear of frost and fog.
Also remember that small issues caught early can prevent expensive emergency repairs, not to mention the cost of towing and the time lost dealing with the issue, which will likely happen at a highly inconvenient time.
Let’s walk through some of the steps an automotive technician will take to inspect your heating system.
Coolant transfers heat. In summer, it transfers heat from the engine to outside. In winter, from the engine into the passenger cabin.
A mechanic will test for:
These tests ensure coolant efficiently travels through your heating system.
These tests inspect your vehicle’s:
An automotive technician will inspect parts that are used equally by both systems.
In addition to the above inspections, which check for damage, your automotive technician will inspect for exhaust system and heater core leaks.
An exhaust system leak can release carbon monoxide into the cabin. A heater core leak, coolant vapours. Both are dangerous to inhale.
Here are some signs that you should take your vehicle in for repairs now, instead of waiting for your next seasonal inspection:
Some may feel like minor inconveniences, like the passenger cabin taking too long to warm up, but others can become dangerous, such as a suspected coolant leak or even windows that frequently fog up and impede your vision.
Take your vehicle in right away if you notice any of the above signs.
If your system appears healthy, schedule your inspection with other winter preparation services, like a tire change and oil change. But book early, so you avoid the tire-change rush. Staying on top of HVAC maintenance can help prevent future problems.
The more tasks you can schedule into one service appointment, the more convenient it is for you. You can find a list of what to ask for at your winter vehicle inspection here.
For more information on a heating system inspection, or to book an appointment, find your local NAPA AUTOPRO service centre here. One of our friendly technicians will be more than happy to assist you.
