Heater in 2013 models

Alberta · Dec 15, 2013

I notice that the heater takes quite a while to warm up the inside of the vehicle when it is cold outside, say,-15C. I live in Alberta and recently, we were in deep freeze and every time when I put the heater on when I first start the engine, it takes at least 5 + minutes to get the inside comfortable regardless of what setting I select. I thought the 2013 models are equipped with a "fast heater". Are the rest of you experiencing the same? Thanks

tron · Dec 15, 2013

I've noticed the same thing - my 2013 Limited warms up quite a bit slower inside than my 2006 Limited did. It's about 6-7 minutes until I feel appreciable heat inside. BTW - I've never been to Alberta, but I'm thinking Michigan weather is just about the same at the moment (19°F / -7°C)

spud · Dec 15, 2013

I agree, I've found the same thing.

Dr_Al · Dec 15, 2013

My Subaru heated up quickly, the Rav is slower. You could change the thermostat. I haven't looked but maybe there's an aftermarket one that will stay closed while the engine is heating up.

Hyperlight · Dec 16, 2013

What I have found is plugging in my block heater to keep the engine warm allows the Rav to warm up faster. But I do agree from cold it does take a while.

RobertN · Dec 16, 2013

It certainly does not heat up any faster than our 15 year old cars did. Also noticed prolonged idling or low engine speeds seems to cause the heat to fade. Toyota tries to reduce the thermal mass of their engines for faster heat up, maybe that new tranny heater is sucking up a lot of heat.
Years ago I got a car to heat up twice as fast by plugging the vent hole in the thermostat.

JuneBug · Dec 17, 2013

The new RAV4 is supposed to have an electric heating element mounted in front of the heater core to provide warm air almost immediately.

grcore · Dec 17, 2013

I believe only the EV has the electric heater. I had heard in these forums that it did have this feature, but it appears it does not.

vanib · Dec 17, 2013

Get a 12V hair dryer

RobertN · Dec 18, 2013

Our RAV4 starts from a 50 degree garage, and it does not heat any faster than our old cars. If it has an electric heater it is pretty wimpy. To do much good, an electric heater would have to draw a bunch of power.

buerkletucson · Dec 18, 2013

You don't understand how a PTC electric heater works........
If your starting @ 50F the PTC electric heater probably barely comes on at all.
They work at maximum output when cold and approach zero output when they reach the predetermined maximum temperature.....self regulating so to speak.

In a vehicle they are meant to provide near instant heater output when cold just until the engine warms enough to take over.

PTC Heaters

Positive Temperature Coefficient (PTC) heating elements are small ceramic stones with self-limiting temperature characteristics. PTC stones have fast heating response times and plateau once the pre-defined reference temperature is reached. It is possible to form the stones into a square, rectangular, circular or ring shape. Above the reference temperature, the semiconducting and ferro-electrical properties of the ceramic are utilized to produce a rise in resistance of several orders of magnitude, and thereby creating it's self-limiting properties.

The rise in resistance is experienced within a fairly small temperature window of a few degrees centigrade. This attribute of the PTC results in a heating element that self-regulates to a pre-set temperature and automatically varies its wattage in order to maintain that pre-set temperature.

RobertN · Dec 19, 2013

I'm familiar with PTC's. It would be nice to know what temperature the PTC is turned on and off, and even what the power rating is. You are right the PTC may not turn on until the temperature is somewhere below 50 degrees F. On occasion the car has warmed up faster than expected when it sat out in sub freezing temperatures for an hour or less. Thought it retained heat well, maybe not, just the PTC working. How many cars have this auxiliary heat feature?

Dr_Al · Dec 19, 2013

Does the PTC work when you are in economy mode? I would assume it doesn't since the manual says that eco driving mode controls the heating/ cooling operations.

Retired Rav4 Man · Dec 19, 2013

I have the same question.

anchorman · Dec 20, 2013

The PTC heaters have been fitted on European models since 2006 but ONLY those with diesel engines. This is because diesels are very thermally efficient and most of the heat generated by combustion goes out through the exhaust.

However, you can tell if your car has it as you will find the 3 stage relays in the main relay box in the engine bay.

anchorman · Dec 20, 2013

By the way, don't expect too much. When it is sub zero (degrees C) the PTC heater only takes the chill off cold inlet air to aid interior warm up even when all 3 stages are active. It certainly doesn't make the interior warm.

Heater in 2013 models

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