View Single Post
Old 03-23-2010, 08:08 PM   #5 (permalink)
RobertSmalls
Left Lane Ecodriver
 
RobertSmalls's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Buffalo, NY, USA
Posts: 2,257

Prius C - '12 Toyota Prius C
Thanks: 79
Thanked 287 Times in 200 Posts
Most cars are equipped with a valve that keeps coolant from flowing through the heater core when the heater is set to "cold".

In the winter, I start with the heater at "cold", then wait for the ScanGauge to show >190°F. Then I set the heater to "hot", and the coolant temperature falls ~20-30°F. I wait for the temperature to recover, then I turn on the blower to heat the cabin.

If it's really cold 10.5 months out of the year (in South Carolina?), you should get a block heater.
  Reply With Quote