Hi everyone, I recently purchased my Fiesta Active 1.0 Ecoboost 2022 from my local ford dealer about 2 weeks ago. I've been having a temperature issue with the car, with the climate control off the car reaches optimal running temps (90) but when the heating is on it slips all the way down to 60, completely cold and the heater blows out lukewarm heat. Before getting it booked in to the dealer to repair under warranty, I wanted to ask here if this is normal or is it an issue with the car.

Thanks

You need to drive a bit harder and for longer, especially when the weather is this cold.

Just now, Tizer said:

You need to drive a bit harder and for longer, especially when the weather is this cold.

I drive about 60-70 miles a day on the motorway thrice a week. It still stays cold, does get up to 1 quarter temp when I'm at 70mph on the motorway

Does anyone know whether the Fiesta got an aux heater at this age?  If yes, it's a low battery issue, if not, then it is just normal operation unfortunately.

Edit - 60-70 miles a day should be more than enough to heat the coolant and charge the battery.  It's probably a thermostat stuck open.  Seems a young car for that though, is it high mileage for the year?

8 minutes ago, TomsFocus said:

Does anyone know whether the Fiesta got an aux heater at this age?  If yes, it's a low battery issue, if not, then it is just normal operation unfortunately.

Edit - 60-70 miles a day should be more than enough to heat the coolant and charge the battery.  It's probably a thermostat stuck open.  Seems a young car for that though, is it high mileage for the year?

It has 34k miles so not too high

2 minutes ago, ahsangi said:

It has 34k miles so not too high

You're right, I wouldn't expect a thermostat failure so soon.  Hopefully it'll be an easy fix and covered under warranty either way.

I've had several cars where in very cold weather, the heater saps heat from  the engine indicated temperature.  Makes sense to me.  Not noticed it on the Fiesta though but I will look out for it but 90% of my journeys are very short and the engine doesn't reach operating temperature anyway.

What is the auxiliary heater by the way? Is it electric?

26 minutes ago, Magenta said:

What is the auxiliary heater by the way? Is it electric?

Yes.  It's basically a toaster element inside the heater box.  It means you can have immediate cabin heat with a cold engine, and allows for a quicker engine warm-up.  Many diesels had one fitted from the early 2000's, but with petrol's being less thermally efficient, it was generally considered that most of those didn't need one in the early days.  I'm sure some of the 1.0 EcoBoost's did get one, but can't remember if that was only on the Focus, or if it was only between certain years.

(Some diesel Fords also have a fuel-fired auxiliary heater, the phrase can be used for both types).

Thermostat staying open. Easy test / remove and place in almost boiling water it will open. If it is already open then it needs replacing.

Come on Shrewsbury.

I've found the Fiesta heater fairly good compared with some cars I've had.   As I said I do mostly very short journeys and even around 0  or minus degrees, warmth is coming through within a few hundred yards.  I turn the blower fan down lo mimimum  initially as I get an icy blast otherwise, then turn it up once heat is coming through.  The heated windscreen (and seats on mine)  is a real boon.

An update on this, after a bit of experimenting the car gets upto temp perfectly normally if I drive with the heating off, as soon as the heating is switched on the car goes all the way to cold/slightly above 60 and fluctuates according to driving. I have booked the car in to be looked at at my local dealer under warranty. Does this sound like a thermostat issue?

On 12/5/2024 at 6:52 PM, ahsangi said:

Does this sound like a thermostat issue?

Yes, and is an extremely common issue on these engines - often even at relatively low miles. Not sure why though as the thermostat design is seemingly exactly like that on every other car! Replacement is quick and easy so I'd expect they will just change it as a matter of course.