| If you found this article, that probably means you're | | | | you. |
| in search of a portable car heater for your vehicle. | | | | A. Emergency solution to get you (shivering and with |
| Which probably means your car heater isn't working. | | | | teeth chattering) to work: Get a plug-in cigarette |
| (I know, I'm awfully smart, aren't I?!) | | | | lighter portable car heater for $13. The ride will still be |
| I got excited about showing others some of the | | | | miserable (sorry, Sweetheart)--but your windows will |
| portable car heater solutions that are out there after | | | | be defrosted and you won't get into an accident or |
| owning an ancient Hyundai that was leaking so much | | | | pulled over by a police officer. So the glass is really |
| antifreeze that the mechanic just bypassed the | | | | half-full, right? |
| heater core. For one whole winter I had a car that | | | | B. Take care of the kids. Get a 3-way adapter |
| was basically not drivable during the winter weather. | | | | (assuming you've got two little cuties to transport in |
| If I'd known then that there were inexpensive | | | | the back seat). In one of the sockets goes your $13 |
| portable car heater solutions out there, I would have | | | | portable car heater. In the other two sockets go |
| been able to keep my part-time job teaching adult | | | | your heated car seat covers, for $17 apiece. Total |
| literacy. But as it was, I gave up the low-paying job | | | | purchase? Under $50! (I highly recommend Amazon |
| that I loved because I just didn't have the money | | | | Prime, by the way. You'll get free shipping and |
| right then to get the heater repaired. | | | | second-day delivery with every purchase.) Note: It's |
| So, given my history, you can probably imagine how | | | | mighty important to get the kind of adapter that |
| I felt as I strolled through the forums the other day | | | | shows you some indication of how your battery |
| to see what advice is being offered to the poor Joe | | | | charge is doing. You don't want to find that your |
| (or Josephine) who calls for help when a portable car | | | | plug-ins have totally drained your battery! It's also a |
| heater solution is needed fast. | | | | good idea to remove the adapter from the socket |
| Typical forum post: "Car heater not working. Can | | | | each time you get out of the car--just to make sure |
| anyone help, PLEASE? (And don't tell me to get the | | | | that the juice isn't flowing out in a slow drain when |
| heater core fixed. I got an estimate, and I just don't | | | | the car is just sitting in your driveway. |
| have the $500 the mechanic will charge me.)" | | | | C. If you plan to replace the car soon (or get that |
| Typical forum response: "You really just need to get | | | | heater fixed), then don't invest any more than that in |
| the heater core fixed, buddy. If your job is so | | | | devices for the car itself. Consider (if you have a |
| important to you, then just shell out that $500 and | | | | garage) saving for an infrared electric garage heater |
| take care of the problem." | | | | for under $200. Even when you do replace or fix the |
| Grrrrrrr. | | | | vehicle, you will appreciate that little comfort. It'll get |
| I'm sorry, but this kind of response is just totally | | | | you more heat and spread it around better. You can |
| NOT helpful. If that poor soul had the money, then | | | | also use it to heat a patio or deck if you choose. It's |
| that is exactly what he or she would do. And guess | | | | a marvelous device--and portable so long as you |
| what, smarty-pants? They already told you they | | | | don't get a wall-mounted model. So no, you do NOT |
| DON'T HAVE IT. So how's about snapping out of | | | | have to spend that $500 to get the car's heater |
| your perfect little world and answering the question? | | | | fixed. At least, not this moment. |
| Having experienced the same problem myself (and | | | | You may end up needing to do that by the time |
| having now researched the various solutions), here is | | | | your next vehicle inspection date rolls around. But |
| how I would answer it. | | | | don't go running up your credit card bill--try to save |
| Car heater not working? So sorry to hear it--let's get | | | | up and take care of that repair when you've got the |
| you fixed up quickly. Here's a 3-prong solution for | | | | money. |