Car heater causes headache

ccnarayanan · 13th December 2009, 08:22

Hi,

I have a 2008 Zen Estilo and I have been doing all prescribed servicing promptly. In the last several months (particularly with the cold weather), I am observing that keeping the car in heating mode causes severe headache to me and the passengers.

I have air-conditioning on, temperature on the heat setting (somewhere 1/4th from the coldest setting), fan on first level, and vent sometimes on fresh air and sometimes on recirculation mode.

Has someone faced this problem with Zen Estilo or similar cars? Any suggestions on how to resolve this problem?

Thanks in advance for any feedback,
Narayanan

jkdas · 13th December 2009, 09:07

Is it only when the car's stationary or only when driving?
Did you check it with the M.A.S.S and another Estilo?

Maybe its taking in smoke etc too from external world.

supercars · 13th December 2009, 09:25

Not exactly the Best Strategy but can I advise you to wear Warmer Clothes ?

If not possible then wear a Coat or Sweater so you can remove them whenever needed.

Your problem may either be easy to fix or very expensive to fix. Clothes are Fashionable & Cheaper comparatively.

alto99 · 13th December 2009, 10:00

Quote:

Originally Posted by ccnarayanan

Hi,

I have a 2008 Zen Estilo and I have been doing all prescribed servicing promptly. In the last several months (particularly with the cold weather), I am observing that keeping the car in heating mode causes severe headache to me and the passengers.

I have air-conditioning on, temperature on the heat setting (somewhere 1/4th from the coldest setting), fan on first level, and vent sometimes on fresh air and sometimes on recirculation mode.

Has someone faced this problem with Zen Estilo or similar cars? Any suggestions on how to resolve this problem?

Thanks in advance for any feedback,
Narayanan

It happens to me not while heating (not tested) but while cooling and in any car. Solution is to take fresh air for longer durations.

supercars · 13th December 2009, 10:05

Quote:

Originally Posted by alto99

It happens to me not while heating (not tested) but while cooling and in any car. Solution is to take fresh air for longer durations.

How does one take Fresh Air ? Carry Oxygen Cylinders in the Car ?
or did you mean roll down the windows for Fresh Air ?

Thad E Ginathom · 13th December 2009, 11:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by ccnarayanan

I have air-conditioning on, temperature on the heat setting...

AC is for cooling; heater is for heating: why are you using both?

Your headaches may be due to dry air in the car. AC will increase the dryness.

One more hint: do not use 're-circulate' mode, unless you are in a very smoky/dusty/polluted place. That way, some fresh air is coming into the car. Also, you can open a window by just a fragment to make sure fresh air comes in.

If, through some fault, your AC/ventilation is taking in fumes from the engine, then that can be very, very dangerous, to to possibility of Carbon Monoxide poisoning.

GTO · 14th December 2009, 11:00

I never took a liking for the car's heater system either (when using in Boston). Here's some tips that helped me:

1. Never direct the air to your face.

2. Leave the rear window open only about 5 - 10 mm.

3. Don't set the temperature too hot.

DCEite · 14th December 2009, 11:13

Been using heater in my wagonR since last 6 years in winters. Faced no problem so far.
But remember- every individual has different response to heat/cold/allergies. So it may not be a car problem, but sensitivity of human body.

shankar.balan · 14th December 2009, 12:19

be careful and get the car checked - while using the heater particularly it is useful to leave a small chink open on the side windows for fresh air. use the fresh option rather than recirc if possible.

also have your car manifold checked - it just could be exhaust gases leaking into the car which is a slow carbon monoxide poisoning - be very careful. real bad headaches can be caused by breathing in carbon monoxide.

I am also highly prone to headaches from exhaust fumes, diesel fumes etc - and may years ago when we had an old CJ 500 jeep I used to invariably get a headache when sitting in the back because the fumes used to seep in.

tj123 · 14th December 2009, 12:38

Before suggesting a checkup for your AC, is every one sitting in the car getting a head ace/lethargic, if yes then there can be some leakage in the air-conditioning system. Possibly CO is getting inside the passenger cabin.

If no then it seems that you are not able to tolerate the heated air, some people have such sort of problems. Try to keep the heating levels to low & try to keep one of the windows slightly open.

rock75 · 14th December 2009, 12:42

I too hate the heater after a while, the possible solution is set it at a lower temp and blower too on one or two. Use it only initially so that car temp becomes comfortable then switch it off.

ZENnist · 14th December 2009, 13:06

In my opinion, you need not switch on the AC if you are using the heater. once you move the temperature knob to red, just switch on the blower and it will be enough to keep you warm. i generally used the AC + heater combination during rainy nights to clear the glass. and yes, as GTO suggested, dont point the vents to your face.

@Thad - no offense, i am just sharing my understanding here. AC means 'air conditioning' and it can be conditioned for cool or hot air. if you switch on the AC, it does the job depending on where the setting is..blue or red.

Thad E Ginathom · 14th December 2009, 17:00

No problem... I could be wrong, and also it may indeed be a good idea to dry the air when de-misting as you say. I suppose that, if the air passes through the AC before it is heated, then it will be drier when it reaches the car. Good for de-misting, but not good for headaches.

My understanding is that, unless a car has automatic climate control, AC means cooling, as any AC unit is just a refrigeration device that lowers the temperature of the air, removing moisture from it as, as it condenses out when cooled.

I haven't spent enough time in cars with climate control to know if it is not really just a more sophisticated front end to an AC unit.

I have always found car heaters uncomfortable because of the way they dry the air. I used to imagine that top-end climate control should have humidifier as well as de-humidifier, but I have no idea if this is done.

Having left Britain's winters behind, living in Chennai, I can hardly imagine moving the heater control to 'heat'!

ZENnist · 14th December 2009, 21:19

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thad E Ginathom

No problem... I could be wrong, and also it may indeed be a good idea to dry the air when de-misting as you say. I suppose that, if the air passes through the AC before it is heated, then it will be drier when it reaches the car. Good for de-misting, but not good for headaches.

My understanding is that, unless a car has automatic climate control, AC means cooling, as any AC unit is just a refrigeration device that lowers the temperature of the air, removing moisture from it as, as it condenses out when cooled.

I haven't spent enough time in cars with climate control to know if it is not really just a more sophisticated front end to an AC unit.

I have always found car heaters uncomfortable because of the way they dry the air. I used to imagine that top-end climate control should have humidifier as well as de-humidifier, but I have no idea if this is done.

Having left Britain's winters behind, living in Chennai, I can hardly imagine moving the heater control to 'heat'!

Hey Thad, your answer got me thinking, browsing and learning. and yes, you are right and i stand corrected.

thank you!

i dont want to hijack the thread...let the discussion continue and hope a solution is found.

Thad E Ginathom · 14th December 2009, 21:50

Chears, ZENnist

Like I say, just glad I don't have to live with car heating any longer --- or any kind of heating!

13th December 2009, 08:22	#1
ccnarayanan BHPian Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Bangalore Posts: 97 Thanked: 91 Times	Car heater causes headache Hi, I have a 2008 Zen Estilo and I have been doing all prescribed servicing promptly. In the last several months (particularly with the cold weather), I am observing that keeping the car in heating mode causes severe headache to me and the passengers. I have air-conditioning on, temperature on the heat setting (somewhere 1/4th from the coldest setting), fan on first level, and vent sometimes on fresh air and sometimes on recirculation mode. Has someone faced this problem with Zen Estilo or similar cars? Any suggestions on how to resolve this problem? Thanks in advance for any feedback, Narayanan
	() Thanks

13th December 2009, 09:07	#2
jkdas Senior - BHPian Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Thiruvananthapu Posts: 9,687 Thanked: 1,492 Times View My Garage	Is it only when the car's stationary or only when driving? Did you check it with the M.A.S.S and another Estilo? Maybe its taking in smoke etc too from external world.
	() Thanks

13th December 2009, 09:25	#3
supercars BHPian Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Bombay Posts: 484 Thanked: 27 Times	Not exactly the Best Strategy but can I advise you to wear Warmer Clothes ? If not possible then wear a Coat or Sweater so you can remove them whenever needed. Your problem may either be easy to fix or very expensive to fix. Clothes are Fashionable & Cheaper comparatively.
	() Thanks

14th December 2009, 11:00	#7
GTO Team-BHP Support Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Bombay Posts: 70,548 Thanked: 300,791 Times View My Garage	I never took a liking for the car's heater system either (when using in Boston). Here's some tips that helped me: 1. Never direct the air to your face. 2. Leave the rear window open only about 5 - 10 mm. 3. Don't set the temperature too hot.
	() Thanks

14th December 2009, 11:13	#8
DCEite Senior - BHPian Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: NCR Posts: 3,418 Thanked: 2,570 Times	Been using heater in my wagonR since last 6 years in winters. Faced no problem so far. But remember- every individual has different response to heat/cold/allergies. So it may not be a car problem, but sensitivity of human body.
	() Thanks

14th December 2009, 12:19	#9
shankar.balan BANNED Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Bangalore Posts: 11,368 Thanked: 23,158 Times View My Garage Infractions: 0/2 (8)	be careful and get the car checked - while using the heater particularly it is useful to leave a small chink open on the side windows for fresh air. use the fresh option rather than recirc if possible. also have your car manifold checked - it just could be exhaust gases leaking into the car which is a slow carbon monoxide poisoning - be very careful. real bad headaches can be caused by breathing in carbon monoxide. I am also highly prone to headaches from exhaust fumes, diesel fumes etc - and may years ago when we had an old CJ 500 jeep I used to invariably get a headache when sitting in the back because the fumes used to seep in.
	() Thanks

14th December 2009, 12:38	#10
tj123 Senior - BHPian Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: BLR Posts: 1,148 Thanked: 680 Times	Before suggesting a checkup for your AC, is every one sitting in the car getting a head ace/lethargic, if yes then there can be some leakage in the air-conditioning system. Possibly CO is getting inside the passenger cabin. If no then it seems that you are not able to tolerate the heated air, some people have such sort of problems. Try to keep the heating levels to low & try to keep one of the windows slightly open.
	() Thanks

14th December 2009, 12:42	#11
rock75 BHPian Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: chandigarh Posts: 370 Thanked: 53 Times	I too hate the heater after a while, the possible solution is set it at a lower temp and blower too on one or two. Use it only initially so that car temp becomes comfortable then switch it off.
	() Thanks

14th December 2009, 13:06	#12
ZENnist BHPian Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Bangalore Posts: 90 Thanked: 32 Times	In my opinion, you need not switch on the AC if you are using the heater. once you move the temperature knob to red, just switch on the blower and it will be enough to keep you warm. i generally used the AC + heater combination during rainy nights to clear the glass. and yes, as GTO suggested, dont point the vents to your face. @Thad - no offense, i am just sharing my understanding here. AC means 'air conditioning' and it can be conditioned for cool or hot air. if you switch on the AC, it does the job depending on where the setting is..blue or red.
	() Thanks

14th December 2009, 17:00	#13
Thad E Ginathom Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Chennai Posts: 11,005 Thanked: 26,447 Times	No problem... I could be wrong, and also it may indeed be a good idea to dry the air when de-misting as you say. I suppose that, if the air passes through the AC before it is heated, then it will be drier when it reaches the car. Good for de-misting, but not good for headaches. My understanding is that, unless a car has automatic climate control, AC means cooling, as any AC unit is just a refrigeration device that lowers the temperature of the air, removing moisture from it as, as it condenses out when cooled. I haven't spent enough time in cars with climate control to know if it is not really just a more sophisticated front end to an AC unit. I have always found car heaters uncomfortable because of the way they dry the air. I used to imagine that top-end climate control should have humidifier as well as de-humidifier, but I have no idea if this is done. Having left Britain's winters behind, living in Chennai, I can hardly imagine moving the heater control to 'heat'!
	() Thanks

14th December 2009, 21:50	#15
Thad E Ginathom Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Chennai Posts: 11,005 Thanked: 26,447 Times	Chears, ZENnist Like I say, just glad I don't have to live with car heating any longer --- or any kind of heating!
	() Thanks