Waiting for heat....

So I just recently traded in my optima for a 2018 Tacoma (first one I've owned!)and I've noticed that it takes much longer for the heat to start blowing hot air.. This how all Tacomas are? Just curious.

 

You might want to post this in the 3rd Gen section

 

You live in NC.... doesn’t it get like to a minimum of 30? Lol

The engine bay on a truck may be more exposed to air leading to a longer heat up time.

You can buy grille vents to combat that.

 

Are you letting it sit at idle waiting for it to warm with the heater on? If so drive it for a quick toot with the heater off and it will heat up a lot faster. Ive noticed that when sitting idle with heater on takes for ever with these trucks to warm up. Also it might be better to post this in the 3rd gen section

 

3rd gen forum.

Do you have the blower on recirc, so you are not trying to heat outside air?

Do you leave the heat off until you've driven a mile or two, so the truck is warm first? The core acts as a second radiator, so if the heat is on too soon it will delay the engine warm up.

I have an SCII and always wait till the coolant temp is up to 90 or so before turning on the heater. Works fine in my 1st gen Highlander and 2nd gen Tacoma.

 

For the 3.5l Tacos, search PTC heater.

 

You could get a remote starter, a few people are selling them in the classified section, they're easy to install too

 

Huh, I would say no. I live in NH and we have some cold weather, but I would not say it warms any slower or faster than any other vehicle.

 

More coolant in the system than most small cars. More coolant volume takes a bit longer to heat up. I love how fast it heats up myself but coming from a Cummins Diesel that takes ages to build heat I'm loving the hot Taco.

 

Been in the mid 20's the last few days at night.

It'll also be in the 70's Sunday...NC has weird weather. We can experience all 4 seasons in 1 week.

Mine take a few mins to start blowing hot air...I also use AUTO so the fan doesn't kick in until the computer decides the heater core is warm enough.

 

There's an electric supplemental heater, but it only kicks on if you turn it all the way to hot, and the truck thinks it's less than 50 degrees outside.

The 3.5 just takes a long time to warm up. 11.1 quarts is a lot of coolant I guess.

 

25 degrees here in ohio. My 18 gets hot in less than 5 minutes. No issues here I'm afraid.

 

You went from an engine around 2 liters to an engine nearly 2x larger with 2x more fluids. The larger the engine the longer it takes to get up to temperature. The more fluids you have the longer they take to get up to temperature. If you had a big V8 it would take even longer to reach temperature with all things being equal. Pretty simple physics really.

 

^^^^^^^
This

 

As stated above, the truck is equipped with an (PTC) electric heater, no coolant warm up required.

To operate, simple turn temp control knob to the heater position, press recirculate button to on, turn fan to max. This should activate the electric heater to begin warming cabin air.

Hope that helps
Brrrr…

 

Not sure if this is what OP was referring to or not, but I've noticed that when on the "auto" setting, the blower will not start right away for heat. My theory is that it is just waiting to build up some heat in the system before it starts blowing air on your feet.

 

How 'long' do you consider 'long'?
My 2020, which (Now) sits in 0-10 degree weather ... I start it, let it run for about 5-10 minutes, then take off. In about a mile it's as hot as hot as it will get.

 

Thanks! I've always wondered how this system works. Mine starts blowing warm (not hot) air in a minute or two, especially if you put controls on recirculate.

 

newer autos are going to the, not blowing heat until the auto reaches a pre-determined motor temp. especially if you have auto climate.

to speed the process, turn your auto fan off, turn the fan to high, and the temp will come up as the motor temp comes up.

modern problems, require modern solutions

Ski

 

I have explained this to my wife for the past 10 years... she still puts the blower on full blast the second she gets in her car.. She always says "but the heater is on, it should be blowing hot air"