Controlling Chinese EV Cabin Heat Settings | Generated by AI
Question: In a Chinese EV car, when turning the air conditioner to heat mode, it feels too hot even at 24 degrees, and I can’t set it lower like 16 or 18 degrees. How to make it cooler? Is opening some windows a solution in winter in China?
Answer:
Many modern electric vehicles (EVs), especially popular Chinese brands like BYD, Zeekr, XPeng, and NIO, use heat pump systems for heating. These are efficient but can sometimes feel overly warm at the lowest temperature settings because:
- The minimum selectable temperature is often limited (commonly starting at 18–20°C or higher in heat mode to prevent inefficiency or system issues).
- In manual mode, the system may blow consistently warm air without precise modulation.
- Heat pumps or PTC (resistive) heaters prioritize quick warm-up and dehumidification in cold weather, making even “low” settings feel hot initially.
Recommended Solutions
Here are practical ways to achieve a cooler, more comfortable cabin without excessive heat:
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Switch to Auto mode: This is the most effective fix for many EV owners. Auto allows the climate control to intelligently adjust fan speed, air temperature, and blending (mixing cooler outside air). Set your desired temperature (e.g., 20–22°C) in Auto—it will maintain it comfortably without constant hot blasts. Many users report that manual mode ignores finer temperature control, while Auto modulates properly.
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Use heated seats and steering wheel instead of full cabin heat: These targeted heaters use far less energy (around 75–200W total vs. 3–5kW for cabin heating) and warm you directly. Turn cabin heat to the lowest setting or off, and rely on seat/steering wheel heat. This keeps you comfortable while saving battery range—a common tip for winter EV driving.
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Lower the fan speed manually: Even if temperature can’t go below 24°C, reducing blower speed decreases the volume of hot air entering the cabin, making it feel less intense.
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Direct vents away or adjust air distribution: Point vents toward the floor or windshield instead of directly at passengers. Use footwell-only mode if available.
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Mix in fresh air: Switch from recirculation to fresh outside air intake. This brings in cooler winter air to temper the heat.
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Opening windows: Yes, this works as a quick fix—crack windows slightly to let cold air in and balance the interior. It’s common in winter if the heater overperforms, but use sparingly to avoid too much cold or fogging (windows may mist up from humidity). Not ideal for long drives in very cold Chinese winters, but fine for short adjustments.
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Precondition the cabin: If parked and plugged in, use the app to set a moderate temperature before driving. This avoids starting with full-blast heat.
If these don’t help enough, check your model’s manual for specific climate settings (e.g., “Eco” mode may reduce heating intensity). In extreme cases, some owners report software updates improving control.
These tips apply well to Chinese winters, where temperatures often drop below 0°C but heat pumps are standard in newer EVs for efficiency.
References:
- https://www.reddit.com/r/KiaNiroEV/comments/st53m2/heater_is_oppressively_hot/
- https://knaufautomotive.com/air-conditioning-in-an-ev/
- https://www.recurrentauto.com/research/heat-pumps
- https://www.guchen-eac.com/who/news/byd-electric-vehicle-heat-pump-air-conditioning-technology.html