Heater temperature control, not so hot.

[erikdfier]

I'm trying to diagnose a problem/feature with the heater in my Smart Car, and I'd like to get others input before taking it into the dealer for an inspection.

The temperature control really doesn't give any temperature variation unless I set it at full (the setting above 80.)

I read that the Smart cars have an electric heater which is activated when setting the level to MAX and that is working correctly. But, from 60-78 setting, theres really no difference and the air is always cool.

Has anyone else experienced this?

*note* I have two other new cars; The 2007 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited and a 2006 Pontiac Solstice. Both have fine settings for heater temperature.

[SmartAzz]

I can tell you that I had it at 70 one trip and definitely got warm air.

For the most part I just use the seat heaters, but that time I am certain of because I was so chilly and checking out the heater.

[mvukovich]

We don't have any problems with our car heater. We put it on defrost at -18 below and it warm the car up within minutes. We turn it down once it got warm to 70- it it stay warm.

[jwight]

Erik, what was the ambient temp when you tried this? I assume the heat sensor has to see some difference between that and the temp settings before it turns on the heat or A/C.

[erikdfier]

Originally Posted by jwight

Erik, what was the ambient temp when you tried this? I assume the heat sensor has to see some difference between that and the temp settings before it turns on the heat or A/C.

Outside temp was about 60 degress, but, inside the temp was probably around 70-75 deg from sitting in the sun. Pretty warm. But, even when starting and driving first thing in the morning, theres just not as much heat as expected.

Does the heater use climate control?

[stevenvillatoro]

Heater works as expected. Climate control is a misnomer, in my opinion, since it's just A/C with numbers painted on the temp. control switch.

[MinnySmart]

Yes, it's automatic temperature control, not a full on auto climate control. You must control fan speed, air flow direction and a/c on or off. The only part that is automated is the temperature regulator or thermostat. It will adjust the warm/cold air mixture to help maintain the target temperature. But that's it.

[eqwalker]

It sounds like to me you may have a problem with it. On a morning with outside temp around 50 deg., when I move my temp selector to 70 it definitely puts out hot air and will cool to warm air as it warms the car up.

[erikdfier]

Originally Posted by eqwalker

It sounds like to me you may have a problem with it. On a morning with outside temp around 50 deg., when I move my temp selector to 70 it definitely puts out hot air and will cool to warm air as it warms the car up.

So I cruised over to the dealer and checked the heater operation of one of their demo cars. Sure enough the heater worked the same as my car does and probably all our cars do. The heater seems to be temperature controlled, (as mentioned) so if your car is already hot inside, setting the temperature to 80 will not make it any hotter.

The only information I found about the Smart Car's heater is -At the maximum setting, it uses a electronic heater- However, this was referencing the European Smart Car. I assume its the same for the USA/Canadian versions too since the notch above 80 produces Hot Air no matter what the temperature is inside the car. The owners manual cautions that you may indeed burn your unprotected skin from the heater at full operation so be careful. *chuckles*

[SmartAzz]

Were the engines hot at the time you tested them? Most car heaters really do not function until the engine heats up, one of the reason seat heaters are marvelous