How bad is using cabin heat

[Daox]

Yeah, and thats pretty easy to do with those remote christmas light thingers... Like this:

Amazon.com: Lamson HW1190 Outdoor Light Remote Control Switch: Electronics

I saw one at the local store for $10.

[PaleMelanesian]

Originally Posted by PaleMelanesian

I have measured a slowdown in the warmup time by having the temperature set on hot, even with the blower off.

Originally Posted by roflwaffle

How much of a slowdown?

With my 10-mile commute, only in the summer does the car get fully warmed up. So I measure how much it affects the final coolant temperature.

In winter, just having the temperature dial on hot instead of cold, but the blower off, drops the final temp by at least 10 degrees. Roughly speaking, that would be about a mile farther until full warmup.

[bgd73]

the heat is nothing. The type of blower fan used is also designed for 12v...
it actually likes the cold air fall into it, the shewed over towards the hot core. They aren't doing all that much, but with atmosphere as the helper. heaters are upside down if anyone hasn't noticed.

I lubed the heater engine in my own car..without diaclectic grease. In fact I slapped some high temp valvoline synthetic wheel bearing grease in. loved it. If to quibble over electric engines drawing power, the see saw of windshield wipers is by far the biggest hog.
air over the core is also a physics cleaner for the system..it is not much a mystery.

[Frank Lee]

Your prescription for a proper heater is what?

[Thymeclock]

Originally Posted by Frank Lee

Your prescription for a proper heater is what?

An add-on heated seat warmer.

It keeps my butt warm while waiting for the heat to develop.

[RobertSmalls]

Bundle up like you were going outside. That way you'll also be comfortable on the way to and from the car, and you'll be able to stave off hypothermia for hours or days in an emergency.

[PaleMelanesian]

I call it DWG - driving with gloves.

[Thymeclock]

Originally Posted by RobertSmalls

Bundle up like you were going outside. That way you'll also be comfortable on the way to and from the car, and you'll be able to stave off hypothermia for hours or days in an emergency.

I always do, but I'm still cold. My full radiator block helps the car warm up a bit sooner though.

[wagonman76]

Originally Posted by Thymeclock

An add-on heated seat warmer.

It keeps my butt warm while waiting for the heat to develop.

Eating a bunch of beans the night before might help with that.

None of my cars have a heater core blocking valve. I have heard of it on some cars though. The temp lever controls a flap that either blocks off the heater core or exposes it to the car interior. Setting it to hot, even with no fan on, you can tell the difference. My cars' warmup times are about the same summer or winter with the heater off. Turn the heater on and it takes around 1 1/2 times longer to warm up. So I always leave the heater off till the torque converter locks indicating it is out of warmup mode.

Still freezing here and we still have snow on the ground in places. I plan on it being this cold till late May or early June. Snow coming down in May is common.