HVAC System

Staying Comfortable on the Road

The heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system is responsible for keeping riders comfortable inside the vehicle, no matter the conditions outside. A properly functioning HVAC system allows drivers to regulate the temperature and intensity of the air inside the cabin as well as direct it to defrost or defog the windshield.

SYSTEM Summary

How Does an HVAC System Work?

The HVAC has two systems: one for heating and one for cooling.

The heating system relies on heat generated by the engine. Hot engine coolant runs through a heater core, while outside air blows over the heater core, effectively heating the air as it passes over the core and into the vehicle’s vents.

The cooling system consists of an evaporator, compressor, condenser and expansion valve. Refrigerant is compressed, sent into the condenser to cool and then sent to the expansion valve. While it travels through the expansion valve to the evaporator, it cools and becomes a low-pressure gas once again. Like the heating system, a fan blows air over the evaporator and that cooled air eventually ends up in the vehicle’s vents.