Anyone know if the Rear heat (activated by a button on the dash) is electric or run off of engine coolant ?

Thanks

 

In my 2006 Hihy new car features manual, it is a 90 m³/h airflow, equivalent to a 1 500 W heater (front is 340 m³/h, 5 500 W eq) using the engine coolant in a separate core heater driven by a 40W fan (front is 210W).

As in all Hihy, the ICE has to run most of the time in cold temperatures (in this part of Canada, we have -20°C frequently) It would otherwise drain the batteries quickly if not on coolant.

 

Thanks for the question and the answer. I have been wanted to know that for a while and never asked.

I might disagree with the engining being on most of the time because of faster battery usage. I find it comes on with the heat, and I'm assuming the engine isn't allowed to go below a certain temp or it would loose its low emission status.

Along similar lines, why does the A/C come on by default with heat? I understand for use with the defroster as it can help dry the air, but for normal heating purposes how does it change the air and the energy usage?