My Car Does Not Have Good Heat!

[@pop-popfpv237]

I'm an old motorhead and ex-mechanic. I am very cautious when it comes to warming up my car(s) in the dead of winter. Temps crashing below 32F around here isn't a frequent occurrence. But when it does, I always allow my vehicle to warm up for about 10 minutes. Not so much for the heat factor, but to allow engine oil and trans oil have time to reach operating temperatures.

[@Garth2011]

With much hope, those in cold climate garage their vehicles keeping them a bit warmer than out in the elements.

[@Bennysol]

Thank you. Anything below freezing and you should warm it up for just 3 minutes if nothing else. I'll let mine warm up until the rpm's stabilize down to the normal 600 it idles at. Then I take it easy on acceleration until engine temp gets to normal range.

[@whydnot]

If you drive a modern vehicle using modern synthetic oil, at those temperatures, you aren’t really doing your engine any real favors by letting it warm up. Start up is what causes the wear and tear. Once there is oil pressure, you’re good. So let it run for about 1.5 seconds before you head out for the day.

[@donniev8181]

People who live in southern states simply do not understand what the cold does to oil.

[@mikeridgway4439]

It's important to make sure your oil gets to its normal operating temperature so you can burn off any condensation that is caused by the normal heating/cooling cycles that take place. If you can't do that during your normal commute time, then the engine should be warmed up first. And of course, the colder it is outside, the longer it will take to get your oil to operating temperature.

[@aaronjacobson6957]

Hello Mr. O. I just wanted to let you know that I have a great deal of respect for you. I watch allot of your videos and I must say I have learned quite a bit from you. I love your attitude that if your going to do something, do it right! You are probably one of the best mechanics I've ever seen. I'm an electrician so when I watched you diagnose a low compression cylinder with a scope, I was very impressed. Many mechanics are great with mechanical things but struggle with all things electrical in vehicles. I also appreciate your commitment to knowing that a component is bad with multiple test methods rather than just throwing parts at a problem. I've heard you say that other viewers have criticized you for the way you treat your wife. First, that's none of their business, but honestly I can tell you have nothing but respect for her. Clearly, you guys have a great relationship cuz she doesn't seem like the type of woman that would put up with anything she didn't want to. Anyway, don't know if you'll ever read this, just thought I'd throw my two cents in. Keep up the great work. Respectfully, Aaron Jacobson

[@georgeumberhind6813]

I am from Maine. Those folks that argue against warming their car have not been in negative number weather. I am sure that it is harder on your engine if your oil is not up to temperature before you load it.

[@wallyg.2409]

Exactly, George. Oil is meant to flow through the engine. Not be shoved through. I've been warming my cars up since I was a teen, never damaged an engine yet.

[@chiluco2000]

Cold oil definitely has an effect on the load of the engine. I recalled this video that shows it clearly: kzbin.info/www/bejne/qorOmGOlebqLqZom33s

[@BeingInTheMessiah]

You may just not recognize how different your vehicle feels when it operates at an idle speed of 1400 rpm instead of 1000-800 rpm. For me personally, when it's zero out I let it idle for 2 minutes because that's about how long it takes for the idle to drop. By the time I go 500' down my street the coolant is usually between 85-100 degrees. about 7 minutes later when I'm on the 1 mile stretch of road my work is on the coolant is up to temp. Bear in mind the engine oil is by no means up to temp. As seen in the video, you can pretty much idle your vehicle all you want you're not going to get it to temp anyway, so personally I feel that a no warm up procedure is important for people like myself with short commutes because the oil doesn't get a good opportunity to crap all the contaminates it has been collecting. If you keep it bellow 2000 rpms you're going to do a lot less harm than the people I see mashing it all the time regardless of whether or not you get a head start heating the oil. Also your oil "flowing" into the engine is going to have a lot more to do with how clean it is which is kind of the whole premise of not idling, again for those of us with short commutes.

[@KirkMcLoren]

Seriously, George, if you operate a vehicle in below zero weather and do not plug in a block heater when it is turned off you will double to triple wear rates. Also the computer runs it rich when cold. Heater is cheaper AND better.

[@MacCready_]

George I also live in Maine. I've never hurt an engine by not warming it up, even high mileage cars. I don't think it really matters much with modern engines and modern lubricants.

[@badwrench1618]

Eric, having lived in Michigan all my life and always within 1/8 mile of a state highway where you need to drive the speed limit, except on those days it is too icy, I firmly believe in warming up a vehicle in COLD winter weather. There is nothing worse than starting the 20 mile drive to work on the highway and having the windshield fog or ice up causing visibility problems. It is for the safety of myself as well as others on the road.

[@kristianhermann5971]

Use a block heater on a 2-3 hr timer. Faster warmup without wasting gas idling. That's the gig up here in Canada.

[@flagmichael]

I'm amazed block heaters are not more mentioned in this comment section. I don't use one but I put an oil-filled space heater in the cabin at night and set it on low.

[@kevincampbell8298]

For sure. If it was 2F here in Ontario I would pluged in!! On the -20 and lower temps it’s heater and timer at my house!

[@killtyrant]

Had no idea this was a thing. Thanks for that tip.

[@DurockmansFavToons]

Big thing in Montana too. They work great.

[@coldnorthAK]

Definitely. If the temp gets to 20F or below, I plug in the block heater.

[@dougtanner523]

It is great how the love and respect that Eric has for Mrs. O shines thru in their interactions at the shop. Mrs. O has the same feelings for Eric.

[@frugalprepper]

They warm up cars in Florida too, they just flip on the AC instead of the heat.

[@lukecartwright1803]

FrugalPrepper this is true!

[@HUBBABUBBADOOPYDOOP]

Actually- on most "modern" automobile HVAC systems- when the HOT DEFROST is commanded, the AC compressor does kick on, to use the evaporator to dry the cabin air (your moist breath will freeze to the inside of windshield).

[@jkbrown5496]

Same problem with people who kick on the fan full blast. You have to leave it on low till the heat exchanger cools down, then you get cold blast.

[@d0cjkl]

Exactly right! Every time I've rented a car with remote start, I remembered to set the AC every night so it'd be ice cold when I got in it.

[@HighestRank]

No such thing as a heater core in FL, nor any other mode than recirc.

[@recoilrob324]

Remember to tell people to shut off the fresh air intake and go to the recirculate position. Trying to heat 0 degree air is a LOT harder than keeping what you heated within the cabin and keep reheating it.

[@MickayG]

Yes... but in that kind of weather that would mean your windows will fog up ;) Even if you're running the AC.

[@patrickmorrissey2271]

I see block heater comments here.... I have a block heater on my truck. Let's clear up a few things.... #1. Block heaters are not necessarily "aftermarket crap". The one on my truck is a genuine GM item. You can order your new truck with it already on there. I know other makes offer the same. #2. A block heater will not warm it up to 180.... The truck will start right up, but the temp gauge needle will not have moved off the stop. The truck will not be blowing heat instantly. The engine feels slightly warm to the touch. Which is A LOT better than frozen solid... Thus, if you really had a thermostat problem, a block heater will not solve the issue. I do feel like my truck warms up MUCH faster, not having to rise so far in temperature... #3. You electric bill WILL rise, if you plug in the block heater every night. So, if your power comes from a power plant, you might not be hugging the polar bears hard enough..... #4. I would strongly suggest the Factory block heater part, partly because the cord is unpluggable from the unit. Which might not sound that important, but, keep this in mind. When you first get the block heater, you plug it in. The next morning, while you're still half asleep, and rushing in to work, you will forget to unplug it, and yank the cord, and possibly destroy it. Now it's a simple matter of ordering a new cord, and replacing it.... Which is not free, BUT, costs a lot less than a whole new block heater, plus installation.... So, don't do that kids. Pay attention. Remember to unplug it. After awhile (and a couple cords) you will remember. All in all, I am 100% thrilled with my block heater. It's fantastic. Tune in to the South Main Auto Channel next week, when Eric O will take us along as he fits a big piece of 2-inch owens corning foam in front of the radiator!!! Joking, joking.... Another time honored tradition up here in the frozen north. Block the radiator! I'm sure this sounds crazy to people in Hotlanta or SoCal, but, here in the north, you do whatever you gotta do, to stay warm....

[@timothybarney7257]

The block heaters on our generators at work (in the coolant loop) maintain about 120-130 in the summer, and are lucky to keep the block at 70-80 in the winter time, but it's better than being at ambient by a long shot.

[@patrickmorrissey2271]

Yeah, at work, our backup diesels have huge block heaters that actually pump the coolant, and those run around 150.... But those are huge, and are powered by 20 amps of AC.... No way that goes on your Yukon....

[@snoopdogie187]

On my 96 subaru with factory block heater, no removable plug, but the engine is a lot happier starting. It warms up very quickly from a "heated" start then a cold start. Maybe 1/5 the time. Its not worth it though. Car runs fine on the coldest days, never struggles. It also has heated seats which you feel way before any regular heat.

[@bg147]

I had one in my 1996 C1500 and had it on a light timer to fire up 3 hours before I left for work. An Iowa had it installed when he had the truck. It worked great and I think it did move the temp needle.

[@dangates2266]

When I used to use the block heater, I would loop the extension chord over the driver-side mirror. You have to be really asleep to miss that, but still the driver of the other car in the driveway would sometimes miss it (SWMBO). The block heater in a car/truck typically raises the temp to "warm summer morning" temp, and that is whether it is on for 2 hours or all night. Mine were on timers for 2 hours prior to my normal leaving time. I don't use them now, modern fuel-injected cars tend to start whenever there is sufficient battery for spark, and 0WXX oil is pretty liquid when cold. I'd rather run it for 10 minutes and have some warmth in the defrost.Now, if someone could tell me how to get Chrysler to turn off the A/C at -40C when I want defrost, I'd be mighty grateful . . . .

[@3819144]

I used to work on a Nissan Dealership in Canada, I have a complaint from the customer about some 4 cylinder model Altima not getting enough heat at idle speed. What I do and did work is using our Consult scanner tool and I rise the base idle up 50 to 100 rpm, this brings more circulation of the coolant and did give out more heat !.

[@EddieTheGrouch]

Don't forget that if the customer is a woman you have to deduct 10-15°F from the cabin temperature readings. After applying the *Gender Specific Temperature Co-efficiency Ratio* you'll find that 67°F aint gonna cut it. *ducking

[@ZanderKaneUK]

Wife says what are you laughing at, I say this comment, she Gibbs me across the back of the head! Still funny though :)

[@xoxo2008oxox]

They have more surface area to lose heat from 😍

[@adkancapadventures7738]

The GSTCR also inverts in the summer. The temp that's too cold for them in the winter becomes too warm for them in the summer.

[@thetinpin]

Adkancap zz _"The temp that's too cold for them in the winter becomes too warm for them in the summer."_ I believe that's referred to as the irony curve.

[@mexicanfederales1469]

Eddie the Grouch Im telling Hillary you said that. 🙄

[@rustydawg20002000]

For a second there I got nervous because he was holding the meter in front of the camera and I couldn't see the road. Haha

[@davidtyndall9604]

Funny but I had the same feeling= panic...LOL

[@narwhal9852]

Lol 3 years ago

[@patriotcanuck6485]

Same 😱😂

[@jason-ge5nr]

The ol cardboard over the radiator. 'shut up and be thankful, you could be walkin'

[@wyokaiju992]

This is common knowledge in ND and WY, but seems to not be in NY. The mind boggles.

[@paulb5284]

I had lots of friends use cardboard over the radiator, heats like a charm!!

[@netwonc]

Used the cardboard many times to enhance the heating system. Worked great in the 50''s.

[@bobr.6312]

@@wyokaiju992 Yeah, NYers know it, this one might not...(the customer)...my Dad did it with a 51 Studebaker V8...worked great, he only drove 3 miles each way...with about a 3 or 4 minute warm up...The heater was actually under the front seat...'early version of heated seats' lol...I can see why he would not recommend it however. Love this series, just love it.

[@Geordo1960]

I had the same thing happen as a college student on the way to class in Minnesota. Cold ride! I remember I had it fixed. Don’t remember what I had to give up in order to afford to replace that. I think I had to put some extra hours in at work to pay for it.

[@anthonythompson4110]

When you drive in your videos, the scenery in your town is so nice.

[@russdavis1960]

I wish I could hit the "like" button more than once. I started 40+ years ago working in a 'full service' gas station here in Michigan and worked in auto parts stores (privately owned) after that for 30+ years. EVERY year when this thing called "Winter" would arrive it was the same thing. "My car doesn't get warm" was the most common complaint heard. Couldn't hardly keep a large enough stock of 195° stats. And then came the interrogation of the customer about driving habits, warm up time etc. Just about every one of them didn't warm up their vehicle and did short trips. Sure, a few of them came in for a thermostat and it actually fixed the issue, but most of the time it was a simple matter of warming up the engine. The 'remote' start commentary was a hoot. I used to do the same thing when my kids were still living at home. Told them if they wanted to ride in a warm vehicle it needed to be started well before we left. Not much arguing when it came to that. Plus they thought it was 'cool' to start the car.

[@TheOldNeighborhood]

2010 Ford Flex purchased new in 2009, only has 40,000 miles on it. Brought it in to the dealer every year with the same complaint- no interior heat. You don't get any interior heat unless you drive the car for 20 minutes and then only if you drive it at a constant 25 MPH or more. Stopand you lose the heat. Warming it up before driving makes no difference. I can use my remote start for a half an hour with the heater set on high 90 degrees and it makes no difference, you have to drive drive the car at high RPMs. And it doesn't have to be in the single digits, anything below freezing and the problem is there. A lot of Flexes have the same problem described as no heat or cold air blowing at idle. Get on the highway and there is heat, stop at a light or stop sign or drive at city speeds and the heat goes away. Ford has issued 3 TSBs on it with solutions like resetting the computer, burping air out of the system, flushing or replacing the heater core and thermostat or replacing a special hose in the system. It's all been done with the exception of replacing the heater core but nothing works and no one has come up with a definitive solution to the problem. Every winter I go through the same nonsense, Ford is of no help. They hope you either sell the car or just finally give up and go away. Several owners have added auxiliary water pumps to the heater core which eliminates the problem. I understand these are common on some late model cars. I've thought about it but where to go for power, they say the pumps don't need to run all the time, just at low RPM.

[@patrickmorrissey2271]

It's easy to tell people not to warm up your car when you live in an LA high rise... Thermostats, and temp sensors, have a "tolerance"... I would say you are WELL within the tolerance... If you threw a thermostat at it, it would probably behave exactly the same.... When I'm out at a remote site, my truck is the only source of heat I have... So yeah, -10??? I don't even shut it off.... God forbid it wouldn't start again. They'd find me frozen to death a week later.... Amazing how similar your area looks to north west Wisconsin.... the view, is like, the same.... Haha! Great video. I like that you mentioned the vehicle size. A Silverado standard cab, has roughly the same heating system as a Tahoe.... The inside area of those trucks is vastly different, however....

[@ericchandler90]

I love having a v8 in the winter. My 5.3 Silverado has no issues getting warm quickly with remote start even at 0°F. Mind you it also automatically detects the cold and turns the defrost heat and heated seats on.

[@Vikesh7896]

How many hours do u idle at a stretch?

[@welshpete12]

It's so nice to see two people so much in love ! What he says is quite right . If safe to do so , where you live . Why not switch the car on say 15 or 20 minutes before leaving home in the morning ? An other point is warming your engine before running . Helps with engine wear so the engine gets full lubrication , so less engine wear .

[@bill8by5]

I wonder........to look at their key fob - there just might be a "remote start" button - like mine.

[@jerrodl]

A double tree AND a rosary?!? That thing is super-protected!

[@dangates2266]

I was thinking that Haysus was keeping here warm so no heater required . . . .

[@whocares.20]

As a person that worked on peoples cars, those were one of the hated things in cars, lol, I worked on dash boards for the most part, and the smell of those pine tree fresheners make me gag. Not to mention getting tangled up in some idle worship thing hanging, grrrrr !!! If only I was a cop, lol, I'd pull ya over for blind spots. Great to have things wobbling , waving back n forth, when you should be seeing things move on the road, like a bike, a person, they can be blocked by that silly crap hanging from your mirror.

[@RagnarokCo]

​@@whocares.20 You can't just remove it while you work? People should be able to hang what they want. I don't hang stuff in my car but we get pulled over for enough already...

[@garybulwinkle82]

She's obviously a heavy drinker and needs the extra protection!!!

[@alantorrance6153]

Protected by "idols"?

[@jmabs5096]

If your looking for a car to be warm in this kind of weather, my 2020 toyta corolla 2.0 SE cvt is terrible on heat production in fridged temps. I'll be lucky to get 100 out the vents after 70+mph 10 miles on highway speeds!

[@ykmalachi]

Pizza box radiator repair was our solution back when I lived in the UP of Michigan.

[@junglejim13660]

We used to use cardboard over half the radiator to get decent heat for short runs around town.

[@kellygiddens3356]

Yep here in Michigan Cardboard over the radiator in the winter works wonders.

[@rwbishop]

I don't know if fact or not, but have heard some larger trucks have driver adjustable louvers to attenuate airflow through the radiator for cold weather operations.

[@rickrogers2649]

Bingo! They are called shutterstats.

[@workingshlub8861]

lol..i see that here in mass sometimes..always wondered what the deal was with that..makes sense.

[@allanmoulton3745]

Have you ever recommended plugging in the engine block heater, or ever discussed it? In my experience, that makes a considerable difference on cold days, if the vehicle is plugged in all night or on a timer to be warmed up a couple of hours prior to driving it.

[@jonmatney9584]

Thanks for giving me something to watch I'm bored out of my mind. Would rather watch you than the super bowl.

[@jonmatney9584]

Michael D probably New England. I don't really get into it though the standing for our nation thing has ruined it for me

[@bryancomeaux4961]

grown men in pantys put a toilet bowl on their heads and run into each other over and over again. pay 1 million a minute to talk about sugar water god must be bored too.....

[@mikewilson8594]

Commenting as a State of Michigan and NIASE Master Mechanic for over 30 years, you did a fine diagnosis and repair procedure sir! I feel and empathize with your cold-weather related heater and mechanic troubles! I am subscribed to your channel, and will continue to watch your very professional videos!

[@franklinfrankerson]

Make a south main auto hat in the same style of the Jeep hat. I would buy one!

[@gabrielmendez1966]

Central Wisconsin here. Definitely warm my vehicle up about 5 to 10 mins before I head out for work which is 30 mins away from home. The old cardboard on the radiator trick definitely works when we're in the single digits... Love your Channel. Been a fan for a month now. Thank you for sharing your wisdom. As a Full Time Single Father. It has helped me out in many occasions. God Bless,Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to You and Yours!

[@junglejim13660]

Great seeing Mrs O holding her own with Mr Hondew! Always enjoy your videos Eric!

[@nickconrad94]

I read this as “my car does not have a good heart” and I was crazy excited. As always, great video!

[@jjackson4829]

New subscriber from the Midwest here...love your videos! Your attention to detail and quality workmanship are second to none, Eric. Avoca is lucky to have you and your shop!

[@jthelman]

The warm up debate is moot in the rust belt states. You can freeze your butt off, or warm it up. The really minor engine wear (if any) isn't going to change the life of the car or cause maintenance cost. In South Main territory you can just about stand back and watch the cars rot from the bottom up in real time - the minor engine wear from warm ups is not what will end the life of the car.

[@mph5896]

Had a crazy overheat issue on a 3.5L Intrepid years ago. Government agency sold it since they could not figure it out. When driving down the road (summer time) the car temp gauge would overheat. Turning the heat on high would cool the car down and you could drive with the heat on full blast with it 80+ out without overheating. Checked everything, even pulled the water pump to find it had been recently replaced. Pulled the heads and the problem was plastic shrapnel (from old water pump fins)plugging the holes passing coolant through the head gasket. Pulled it out and flushed the block and the car was good to go.

[@Garth2011]

Another engineering flop. Those concerned about weight need to think harder about what some of those ideas can cost the owner in a short ownership period. That one is disgusting.

[@markamcampbell6340]

yuor a lucky man with a beautiful wife and nice kids. she is very patient.

[@donerickson1954]

Back in Wisconsin we would place a sheet of cardboard in front of the radiator to block about half the airflow through it.

[@JacobEcret]

They have that as packages now, winter package or something

[@raybin6873]

Big rig semi-trucks do that with a tarp that can be adjusted...

[@robinstewart6510]

Got stuck in Moriarty NM (I-40) during a windy snowstorm (road closed by police). It was -13º and radiator nearly froze overnight (water pump grinding ice). On the road, engine refused to warm up. Wrapped the radiator with aluminum foil, leaving a small gap for some radiator cooling. Next few hours in warmth. Down the road in Texas (25º), removed the aluminum foil.

[@diydave643]

I love the "remote start..." "Hey, kid, go start the car." That oughta be worth something all by itself. Just a DIY'er here...really enjoy the videos.

[@kylegriffis7636]

Out here in Las Vegas we get the complaint of there A/C isn’t as cold as is should be. When it’s 120 Degrees outside. Go figure.

[@1337penguinman]

Same here in Cali.

[@ZePanthersGang]

Same here in Phoenix, Arizona 😂😂 I rock 2.5% tint just to combat the heat

[@Mr572u]

My 99 Silverado blows 40 when it’s 100 outside. The heater works even better than that.

[@YummyButters]

All mechanics should be this awsome

[@1337penguinman]

Mechanic here. I agree, I wish I was this awesome.

[@Shockedbywater]

The commonsense we need. 'I say if you don't warm your car up you're gonna drive in a cold car' . Seriously so much wasted debate and this is what it comes down to. Keep up the good fight Mr O.

[@daveblane6442]

Always thorough, even in the face of B.S, complaints.

[@joeg.2354]

My 2008 legacy had terrible heat and it was a very simple fix. yesterday i bought a 2018 legacy 3.6r and it has great heat. problem solved!

[@snapproduct8705]

Joe G. Way to go...😀

[@chiluco2000]

That's one way of fixing it

[@ricebike]

Upgrade to the 2020 model if s headlight blows out!

[@ericchandler90]

I love having a v8 in the winter. My 5.3 Silverado has no issues getting warm quickly with remote start even at 0°F. Mind you it also automatically detects the cold and turns the defrost heat and heated seats on.

[@jblyon2]

I can't stand vehicles with electronic heated seat controls that won't turn them on with a remote start. That's half the point! Mine isn't electronic so as long as I leave the temp wheel on roasted nuts when I get out I'm good.

[@jdtractorman7445]

It is either I don't have good heat or my fuel mileage is crappy. People don't understand the engine coolant is the heat source, not a giant electric heating coil in the dash. Something else people don't understand is that fuel mileage suffers quite a bit when you get down into single digits or below zero temperatures. If that lady doesn't warm her car up and only has a short drive to work, then that could be the whole issue.

[@davidhutchison3343]

jdtractor man British cars from the 50's had an electric coil heater. Instant heat, but it was an expensive optional extra. Then some bright spark realised that they had a engine that produced an excess of heat, and use that to heat the car. The downside was that you only got heat once the engine was warm.

[@8avexp]

My father had a 2 1/2-mile one-way commute to work. He drove his '53 Pontiac and after buying a new car for my mother, he never took the Pontiac out on the highway to boil off the contaminants. As a result, that engine became a sludge factory because it never really warmed up.

[@thomasjohnson4540]

Been telling customers not to blast the heater till it warms up some for years. Glad to hear someone else say this. With a 5 min warm up time heater blasting from start and a 10 min drive to work my temp gauge basicly never moves. Same 5 min warm up with no heater running during warm up, I have good heat for the drive to work.

[@donalddummerjr6085]

I only work on GM vehicles where I work but a lot of GM vehicles have a recirculation button to maximize the temperature out of the heater. As for the coolant temp being a little low, it depends how far away temperature sensor is located from the thermostat. Some engines that is a normal reading with a good thermostat. Normally a P0128 code sets when the engine takes too long to warm up.

[@albatross5466]

I hope these 2 watch their own videos to see how fun they are to watch. Thanks for the info & entertainment.

[@marianluc6235]

It's beautiful over there with the snow.i don't understand when some people are scared of snow is safer than hurricane. I can see you Eric are used on driving on snowe roads.

[@SouthMainAuto]

Oh yeah , I drive on snow covered roads all the time

[@DrFarquad]

I always "warm" my car up even in summer. To me it's a peace at mind knowing everything is moving inside the engine before I put any load on it. A lot of people dont get it but hey, everybody does something different. Love the videos by the way.

[@w.s.soapcompany94]

Yup. Engineers call it four corner seizure. No matter when the engine was made or by whom, the top of the piston heats and expands first and faster then the bore. More RPM means more heat and more expansion. Idle is the gentle way to have those parts equalize. If pushed hard and cold the compression ring will leave four deep grooves evenly spaced around the bore, two on the way up and two on the way down.

[@jerrypeal653]

Had this happen and heater core plugged up flushed it out at the local car wash and it worked great . Mine was easy you could feel the heater hoses and tell no heat was getting through.

[@wiley0714]

I've never seen a water and air flush nozzle like that. 100% bad ass! If that don't get the junk out Ain't Nothing Gonna..

[@kenrocha9210]

People who live in warm climates will never understand what its like getting in a vehicle when its been sitting all night in 0 degree weather. Warming up is a must.

[@paulmoir4452]

OTOH, warming a car by running it is not necessarily the best way to do it. It just happens to be convenient for the manufacturer's to use engine waste heat.

[@Shockedbywater]

You gotta love sitting behind the wheel and all your back muscles tighten up from the cold. The steering wheel is frezzing along with the steering beinfg stiff due to the thick fluid till it warms. Everything abourt the car is slow, slugish and fighting the cold just like you are. Screw that, I have always warmed up my cars and never had any issues caused by it. Heck my work truck, a Ford Transit will ideal all day long if I am working outside just to keep the inside warm.

[@rjw261984]

I live in Phoenix and i still warm my truck up. Gotta warm up those leather seats in the "winter" haha. This was prob the warmest winter that i remember, i dont think we hit lower than 32 here in the city.

[@joelopez40oz23]

Ken Rocha Thank god for California

[@workingshlub8861]

folks down south are spoiled.... winter destroys your vehicle in every way possible up here in northeast...10 maybye 15 years and its to the junkyard.

[@jamesspash5561]

LMBO, my Gf does the exact same thing up here in Plattsburgh. Every winter or two she needs a battery after it's been below zero for a week or more. Try to tell her" ya gotta let it run to charge up" Five minute drive will not do it. But she listens to the dealer parts changer, or auto zone specialist, rather than the 40 year mechanic. So, I get a great free battery every winter.She doesn't know it,but, the next event, I say, well I got a good battery for ya. Reinstall her old one all charged up. Good for the season. true story. Same with the heat, car won't warm up. It's 15 below zero folks, it takes time.

[@risc19]

It would have been interesting to see what, if anything, came out that core.

[@tanyaanderson7017]

love the way MrsO looks at you . she loves you obviously

[@walterpchrysler9446]

When you live up North and the temperature is 15-20 below zero without windchill, your warming your car up.

[@darkwingduck3320]

Eric your a good guy it's very cool to see decent mechanic's doing decent thing's for their customers

[@LaMaRaGe0622]

I always warm up my car. Ive had a lot of cars and I do the same with all them. I have a 2017 altima brand new out the dealer and I've always warmed it up. Especially when it's freezing outside I warm it up 5 to 10 mins so my daughter doesnt freeze or myself. In the summer time on the first start I warm it up just until the rpms start dropping. That's a good signal to start driving off. Every time I start to drive off I always start driving slowly until the temp gauge is at operating temperatures. I also have a 1992 honda accord with 280,000 miles and I do the same exact thing as my 2017 nissan Altima. I never had any problems with any of my cars.

[@wetlettuce4768]

Same here if it's cold outside I will leave it running for 5-10 minutes it's always glorious when I get inside and it's like the tropics and all the windows have defrosted themself while my neighbours are outside scraping their windows like cavemen.. My current car is at 250k miles so I'm guessing all this "it's bad for your engine" is a load of bull.

[@wildbill23c]

Pretty sure starting your car and taking off down the highway at 80mph in zero degree weather is probably not going to go well for the life of the drive train, not just the engine....but in today's world people don't keep their cars long enough to give a shit, they pass the problem off to someone else after their lease is up or when they get tired of driving the car a year later...or because their neighbor or friend got a new car so they gotta get a new car type mentality.

[@chrismckee5404]

We definitely warm up our vehicles here in Calgary Alberta! My dodge diesel takes about 25 miles of highway driving in the cold before there is enough heat for the tstat to open up. Mrs O is a lot of fun!

[@wyley87]

Probably already been mentioned but I use the Gates flush tool it's all metal. I had the otc one and it broke after two uses. Cheapest place I found to buy one was rock auto.

[@michaelporter6795]

Good call. I was raised in Wisconsin and at zero or close we had to put cardboard in front of the radiator to get the car warm.

[@karlsarte4051]

I usually just put foamboard over the grill when it gets below freezing warms up the engine faster and keeps it reallly warm in the highway

[@johnerway7255]

Eric, We left New York in 1998 and the video with all the snow, did not make me homesick for the white stuff. Plus my 2000 Ford Ranger XLT has no rust and that is what is good here, the heat can be a bit much in the summer. Lol, no rust is worth that!!!!! lol thanks for the memory trip, Great training video.

[@V10PDTDI]

I would suggest to you’re customers that they should plug the block heater if it has one put it on a timer so it turns on 2 hours before she leaves for work it will help get the engine up to temperature faster I should know I’m from Canada and it’s cold we’re I’m from.

[@mrjsv4935]

That's what I do too here in Finland. Have about 15 min drive to work and the car reaches full operating temperature in that time and has good heat pretty quickly when I use electrical engine block heater. Have also interior heater in the same system. My car (Kia Rio) is much smaller though than the car in the video. Once or twice a week I also drive longer distance to warm it up thorougly and maybe helping the battery keeping it's charge better as well.

[@Darwinpasta]

Hell, get one of those Christmas tree light timers, plug the block heater into that.

[@armyvet4081]

Where I came from , that is the first thing you do when yoiu buy a car, put in a block heater.I am from Wisconson.

[@JeredtheShy]

They're at roughly the same latitude as we are here in Northern Ohio. As you see, it gets cold and snowy in winter, but never quite so cold and snowy as to make everybody bother with block heaters. I'm sure she doesn't have one in her truck.

[@bobmoy3406]

www.amazon.com/AmazonBasics-12-Volt-Cushion-Temperature-Controller/dp/B013XT2Z6Q/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1517756471&sr=8-5&keywords=car+12v+heater

[@bobbarron6969]

Growing up in Minnesota, back in the day, it wasn't unusual to see pieces of cardboard stuck in front of radiators in an effort to get the engine temp up and gain more heat. When it was announced that warming the engine of your car was not recommended, folks in my part of the frozen north just laughed and ignored the advice.

[@wysetech2000]

I pretty much use the same procedure as you and will usually tell you what's going on. If i idled my caravan all day it wouldn't warm up when it's real cold outside but i do let it warm up for 4 or 5 minutes when it's below zero outside. It would be nice to find a replacement thermostat that actually worked properly. I think Dorman must make most of them. Nobody can afford to use an engine heater in Ontario with our crazy electric rates.

[@rtel123]

We use the block heater to really speed up the engine warmup. Pennies of electricity instead of dollars of gas. But the best thing we do is put an electric space heater for cars in the cabin. Plug it in inside the house a little while before going out to the car. A great head start on heat. Also melts ice on the windows quickly.

[@andrewvillanueva4222]

I warm up my vehicles several minutes before I start to drive. Never had a problem with that.

[@Lubbocksfinest]

I do warm my car up too and it makes me feel much better knowing my most trusted KZbin mechanic channel does too

[@tomd5010]

For those bitchy customers who gripe about no heat when it’s really cold I recommend you keep around an old VW beetle with rotted out heater boxes. Make sure the windshield is nice and frosty, have them take it for a spin then ask them if they really think their car’s heater ain’t working. That’ll teach them. Consider keeping another bug around with good boxes but with the control levers rusted full open. A brief drive in the summer will take care of their AC complaints. Toasty!

[@arthursmith643]

Tom Davis I remember those days.. I'm a senior citizen now. 2 VW bugs 64 and 65, 1 VW bus 65, 1 Karman Ghia 1970. Froze my ass off in all of them. I live in the Northeast. Why I did that to myself I will never know.

[@tomd5010]

I'd freeze my *ss off to have Karmann Ghia, convertible please and for pete's sake, no auto stick! If you can't use a manual transmission don't get a bug!

[@protodog1]

Tell you what, this winter, on a really cold day here in Michigan, stop by and I'll fire up the eberspacher in my 63 bug with solid heater channels with fans recirculating heat. After about ten minutes it's get so hot you can't stand it. And that's without the engine running.

[@johnnyasus86]

@@tomd5010 why get a bug in the first place, its a girls toy.

[@tomd5010]

If you are talking the first generation "New Beetle", I agree. I am talking the original Beetle especially before 1970. Not even the Super Beetle. It had a motorized fan. At one point, they were the only real economical care out there. They were not effeminate and if you were a little handy with tools you could work on it.

[@chadpugh1490]

First South Main Auto vid I saw was called something like 3.8 liter Water Pump Replacement "Extreme Flushing". That's the video that hooked me.

[@dB_944]

We waste gas to heat our houses to be comfortable. What's the difference wasting gas in our cars to be comfortable?

[@jackwood8307]

Lived in Alaska and up there they leave construction machinery running 24/7 during the winter, glad to be in the south these days!

[@opl500]

Not me man. I keep the heater fan off until I see the engine temp gauge come alive.

[@thromboid]

So true about small engines taking time to get hot - when I first changed the coolant in my little Honda, it took nigh on an hour of idling before the radiator fan came on while bleeding the air out. Next time I'll rev it some!

[@Losopromo]

The fact u didn’t just ring her up for a new thermostat says a lot about ur business and what type of mechanic you are 👍🏽

[@fightnight47364]

I start the engine , let the ECM feed the greedy little beast , wait til the idle drops , let the coolant temp reach to whatever's the thermostat stats are. Then drive off. All that takes about 8 minutes during which I have my morning BM . Love the channel👌

[@tc195912345]

Tomorrow on SMA heater Core replacement...….

[@cnettrouer]

NE Indiana. I only warm up my vehicle at work when it’s below 32F. At home, I park in an insulated garage, so no need for a long warmup. I always wait long enough for oil pressure and to watch the garage door to close.

[@oldchevymax1751]

Here in New California, it was 75 Degrees F yesterday with a low of 45. Did I mention our cars don't rust.

[@Pr0ph3cy-k5z]

OldChevy Max Rust is known to the state of California to cause birth defects and cancer. Rust is banned in California.

[@sweetwilliam49]

OldChevy Max yeah, but you have Nancy Pelosi and Maxine Waters!

[@oldchevymax1751]

Inland counties are trying to break away and form 51st state "New California" no rust and no libtards.

[@Pr0ph3cy-k5z]

OldChevy Max lol good luck. Build it and they'll come. Evil lurks beneath the surface.

[@watermanone7567]

No, they just burn from the fires.

[@rinunculartoo3006]

Older cars usually have thermostats stuck in open position, so they get driven around town all day but never get up to the Normal temp zone on the gauge. This seems to affect fuel economy too. I'm not a mechanic, but I usually put a different temp range thermostat in. One that opens at much higher temp. This makes car heat up quicker, but only if driven longer distance, Then heater is really good. Our Winters not as cold as yours but we still get really cold days in Winter. At least, what we would consider cold, anything below 0 degrees C. I reckon your customer not driving far enough to get engine hot enough to operate heater. So puting a different thermostat in would not make any difference. Even a dummy like me can work that one out. Glad you look after your customers Eric, we need more guys like you.

[@SaintThaG]

“If you keep it Maxed out it won’t heat up” *318* hold my beer and prepare for Dubai in a single cab

[@Craneman4100w]

My work truck didn't seem to get warm enough. After checking the system out like you did, I changed the cabin air filter and POOF, problem solved. The increase in warm air volume was the answer. Nice and toasty.

[@trr5291]

I have to warm my intrepid up when it's below 0. It doesn't want to shift right when its freezing. Summer i don't warm it up.

[@CCWSig]

When its below about 5 degrees f, and I crank the heat on full blower in my 2018 focus, I can watch the temp gauge nosedive till its blowing cold. Modern engines run so efficient they convert more power, and less heat. Nature of the beast.

[@Bryan-Hensley]

They aren't that efficient. They still waste more heat than they use. You engine is capable of heating a few houses at that temperature. You have a thermostat issue

[@NobodyAskedForThis]

Hey, Eric, you know what? Even if warming up your car will destroy the engine, the body is going to rot out long before that happens. In NH it's usually pretty dam cold. Half the gas I burn is at idle. Haha

[@bobjones3846]

Yep ! here in Minnesota it has ben real COLD TOO , lots of below temps I plug in and warm my truck up before going any where .

[@workingshlub8861]

bought a used ram plow truck last year...it was fluid filmed since day one and looks like a 5 year old truck..not 18...stuff works good.

[@cookie9589]

NothingSpecial I’m from southern NH. I can confirm if you don’t warm up your car you will literally freeze to death

[@AllAmericanAutomotive]

@John John yes yes yes!! I use Krown (same idea) what a world of difference. Spring and summer just like you and my 05 silverado looks great still

[@suttoncoldfield9318]

Here in Sutton Coldfield, England - on a bad morning it can get down to 270 Kelvin, so I run a fan heater in the cabin for ten minutes to clear the windscreen. My 1974 Wartburg Knight (east German, 3 cylinder two-stroke) had a cable operated 'venetian' style blind you could open & shut to close off the radiator.

[@scottpearsontoolsmore185]

Great video thanks brother. I have always warmed up my truck or anything I was working on. I have my remote start set for fifteen minutes. I have always done it even on the equipment I worked on. I don't care about the shouldn't do that. I think it's harder on the engine if you don't warm it up before you go with it. Just my thoughts take the time let it get some heat in the system before you take off. Keep up the great work see you in the next video. I'm in Ohio and it's been colder than normal here.

[@Cragified]

Modern engines it is honestly just a preference thing. Idling will just take longer to warm up, which will take longer to get to closed loop for the O2 injectors but the amount of fuel use at idle even open loop rich is so tiny it's really nothing to worry about.

[@scottpearsontoolsmore185]

I wish my truck would do what some diesels do. I have the 3.5 ecoboost. I know some of the diesel engines will adle up. I have had one that in the cold you start the engine and after a few minutes if would idle up. In the summer with the AC on it would do the same thing. I wish my truck had that feture.

[@KnuckleHeadGarage27]

Scott Pearson TOOLS &MORE yes exactly exactly Finally someone actually sees that and does and agrees and take care of there vehicle doing that idc what people say or the internet says I always let my vehicles warm up before taking off or even other vehicles I have worked on same thing I mean I see so many that just crank it up and take off and it's just hard on a vehicle to me when I think about it transmission shifts hard because it's cold just a lot of things but I will always let my vehicle warm up

[@davidhutchison3343]

I've never warmed up an engine, but I live in Australia. I just drive carefully for the first few minutes, until the engine has warmed up. A friend moved to Canada for a year, and ALWAYS warmed the engine in winter, and didn't start driving until the engine temp gauge showed some heat. The outside environment determines if you need to warm up your engine or not.

[@donschneider7252]

When I serviced school buses in Alaska the diesels would never warm up even with the cooling air blocked off. We had to keep them in the bus barn which was at least 40 degrees warmer than out side. Most of the buses had to be warmed up at least ten minutes before they could be driven what with pumping up air and warming up the steering fluid. I had to disconnect the P/S coolers to keep the hoses from blowing in the subzero weather. We also used block heaters.

[@knurlgnar24]

Some thermostats (including oem) have an aggressive bypass to allow easier and more accurate regulation. Weld up the bypass hole and your warm-up and low temp performance improves dramatically. This might result in coolant temp cycling though so I just put up with the slower warm-up.

[@todayintheshopbanksy5904]

Love the way Mrs O finds snow and throws it at you. How mean

[@baxrok2.]

Well, yeah, it's a hot topic, heat in the winter that is! lol Thanks Dr. O!

[@billgilbert2180]

We use winter fronts and warm up with auto start. Also block/oil/trans pan heaters are a must here in Alaska most also have battery blankets as well. So yeah when it’s below 20 plug in and warm up is a must!

[@OpenSesame001]

Tell her your recommendation is to "Move to Florida" or get a job 1 hour away

[@wetlettuce4768]

Or get a car with a huge engine and a small cabin also heated seats might help a bit

[@kitecattestecke2303]

Noo ever heard of a auxiliary heater? Webasto or eberspaecher make very high quality diesel and gasoline heater which heat water for your car and cabin.. Everything else is a toy around cold climate

[@glorialotz3333]

Everything improves if you move out of upstate New York.

[@citizengroovesboogienation2242]

Up here in Quebec, back in the 70's & 80's we would run a 180 deg thermostat in summer and swap in a 190 deg thermostat for the winter months. Helped a lot to get some more heat inside the car.

[@dateatorjr9671]

Now I know why the trees are dying on my property. Thanks Eric and Mrs O!

[@windward2818]

For cold weather at or below 25 degrees F, the car warm up time for me is like 25 minutes minimum. Remote start for car warm up in the winter was a huge leap forward in preparing a car to drive in the winter and was big business for a retrofit remote key fob feature. Today for Ford F150 trucks the remote start key fob has become standard equipment. Many times getting ready to leave for work, you remote start the vehicle and then periodically check the windshield to see the progress on the car thawing out. If it's not ready, just have another cup of coffee. If the car sits outside it might ice-up, meaning you cannot easily open the car with a key (the cylinder will be iced), and the door might be frozen shut, which means you cannot open the door. If the windshield has a layer of ice, you need to partially melt it with the defroster before you can scrape it off. But, how do you start the car if you cannot open the door?

[@robertgantry2118]

AAAAHHHHH! Move your Actron! I can't see where I'm going!

[@cratecruncher6687]

Here in Texas we run the heater in August. When you get stuck in traffic and it's 107F, that extra radiator in the dash is the difference between driving home and calling the flatbed.

[@punkin7144]

its fricken freezing mr bigglesworth!

[@michaelsalernojr3135]

I had the same problem on my Neon this week due to Sub Zero tempatures here in New Jersey this past week,flushed out the heater core and had the tempature adjusted in the blender door on the drivers side.Thermostat was OK.This video was helpful.I wait 5 minutes and drive off.It is 13 miles each way to work and home .

[@turboflush]

Allot of people dont understand that you cant crank the defrost heat on a cold engine. It will warm up way faster if you suffer a minute. Also if there is auto temp on your controls.. set it and leave it. Adjusting to 90f or 50f wont make it get there any quicker. When the car senses it is capable.. it will ramp up the fan and a/c /heat.

[@drake6143]

When you put defrost on the AC kicks on, so even if the air isn't warm yet it is dried out by the AC (in modern cars).

[@dangates2266]

drke6143, if I wanted it cooler, I'd put on the A/C! When it is -30C, you don't need to "dry" the air, there isn't any moisture in it. I WANT HEAT. With many cars, you can turn off the "automatic A/C" by pushing the button once you get in. Chrysler doesn't let you do that . . . .

[@KSSilenceAU]

On some cars, even on my old 1995 Nissan Maxima (A32 Series, known as an "Nissan Cefiro A32" to you americans), if i have the A/C in "Auto" mode, then even if i set the temperature control to Maximum (can set it as high as 32 celsius), the A/C Control module will only run the fans on the lowest setting until the Coolant temperature reaches a certain point, and then it will slowly ramp up the cabin fans up to full speed. I can of course change to manual and override it, but usually i don't, as it does a pretty good job itself. Typically on a normal "Cool" aussie day, the fans will ramp up within about a minute of leaving home. If its a rare cold outside (say 5-10 degrees celsius) then usually 2-3 minutes of gentle driving. On such a cold day if i have time, then i'l start it up, let it idle while i go back in and grab what i need (Usually my Phone and my Bag with my laptop in it), and by the time i've done that, its started to heat the cabin already.

[@dangates2266]

KSSilenceAU, To paraphrase Mr. Dundee, "That's not cold! This is cold!", this morning at 0630 my digital output in my truck showed -18C, and I thought, oh boy, it's warmer today.

[@KSSilenceAU]

Dam, i wish it got that cold here some days, instead we get Stinkin' hot 45c days quite often down under which fucking suck! I'd rather the cold than the heat, and so would my servers in the garage for that matter, come ~40c in that garage and they shutdown to protect themselves from damage. If i head a bit further up the mountains from where i live, then below 0c in the mornings is common, but where i am lower down the hill its a bit warmer.

[@stf2400]

Just make sure your coolant is full. Co-worker was complaining about no heat. Checked her coolant and was a gallon low. Filled it up and now she’s saying it almost gets too warm, lol. Can’t please some people, but honestly she is very happy with my fix. I’m not a mechanic, but little things like that should always be checked before hitting the panic button.