[Schorschi]

Almost exactly two years ago I had my heating module replaced on my 2014 ED. I didn't get any heat from the vents back then.

I live in Florida, so I don't use the heater very much. Been using it the past few days off and on on my way to work early in the morning.

My drive to work is about 25 minutes and I leave well before sunrise shortly before 6 am.

So, the outside temperature has been in the low 40's (°F) in the mornings. The car is parked outside my garage overnight. I don't preheat it, as I charge at work. When I leave for work, I put the heater on 65°F. It produces heat and everything is hunky dory. Warm air blows from the vents. About 10 minutes into my drive the air from the vents gets considerably cooler. It feels cold. It doesn't feel like the air coming in is outside air temperature, but it's definitely not the warm air that was blowing in the beginning. I don't have a thermometer to check the cabin temperature, but I'm guessing it's not 65°F. I could be wrong though. I guess I will bring a thermometer next time to check.

At about 20 minutes after leaving home, the air gets a little warm again, but still it does not feel like it's warm enough to warrant 65°F.

Is there a way I can test if my heater is on the fritz?

My 30,000 mile (annual) checkup is coming up these days. What do I tell the service center to check for? It's supposed to get warmer again in the next few days. Will they be able to reproduce my observation if the weather is not cold enough to cause the heater to come on at 65°F?

How does the heater in the smart work anyway? Is it a thermostat that merely controls heat off and on?

 

[sokoloff]

Dealer or you can test it by turning it up to max, both fan and temp. Should blow warm within a minute or two. The heater unit in mine had to be replaced under warranty too. Just tell them it doesn't work and let them figure it out. Took a week or so for the parts to arrive.

Len
2014 EV

 

[stevenjb]

When you turn the heater on try cycling the temp level up and down, then leave it in the upper position for full heat (90 degree setting) - fan on high (3 or 4) until hot air, then adjust - my smart takes a few miles of driving in freezing temps before max temp is achieved. During the warm up I set the air direction knob to the foot wells, don't want cold air blowing in the face.

 

[SuperSmartie]

You're describing how the thermostat works: It blows hot air when the interior temperature is below the setting on the temperature dial, and cold air when it's warmer than your setting. Some people (and all in automotive marketing) think this is a great feature.

I much preferred the old days before "automatic climate control" or whatever fancy names these things are given, where you used to select how hot the air is blowing, and could get a constant stream of warm air. But alas, modern times have made that level of comfort obsolete.

 

[jzchen]

Evilution has a picture of the shy thermostat, hidden in the blower motor. It is designed that way. If you increase the temp setting it will be warmer overall. Try it, before a dealer visit, to save yourself time.....