If your car isn’t heating up or doesn’t turn on at all, it may have a faulty thermostat, low coolant levels, an internal heater block or clogged heat exchanger. It might also have a loose or dirty blower fan or problems with the air intake system, electrical issues or blown fuses.

The first step to turning on the heat in your car is starting the engine and letting it run until it reaches its operating temperature. Once the engine has warmed up a bit, locate the climate control panel and switch the temperature button to your desired setting. Next, press the air distribution button or knobs to direct the hot air where you want it in the cabin. Finally, set the blower to your desired speed. Remember that altering the blower fan speed only improves the distribution of your selected air temperature and does not change the actual temperature of the air being blown into the vehicle.

Some cars have electric heaters that can be operated without the engine running. However, this isn’t as effective as a mechanical heater and will drain your battery. It is also best to get your car up to driving temperature and then turn on the heater, rather than trying to warm it up from cold. This will save fuel and prevent the heater from overworking. Regardless of which type of car heater you have, it is important to regularly check the heating components for wear and tear.