Parts for your 2017 Subaru Forester-Heater tap

The Heater Tap and Its Role in the 2017 Subaru Forester

When it comes to the 2017 Subaru Forester, the question of whether it uses a heater tap is a common one among vehicle enthusiasts and those keen to understand their car's heating system better. After referencing detailed technical sources and workshop manuals for the 2017 Subaru Forester, it's clear that this model does not use a traditional heater tap.

A heater tap, traditionally, is a valve located in the cooling system that controls the flow of hot coolant into the heater core. It can be manually operated or controlled by a thermostat to regulate cabin heating by allowing or restricting coolant flow to the heater matrix. This setup was more commonly found in older vehicle models where precise control over the heater was managed mechanically.

On the 2017 Subaru Forester, the heating system is managed differently, which is why a heater tap is not part of its design. Instead of a heater tap, the Forester uses an electronically controlled blend door system inside the climate control unit. This system controls the mixing of hot and cold air to manage the temperature you feel inside the cabin.

Here's why Subaru moved away from the heater tap system on the Forester and similar vehicles:

• The electronically controlled blend door system offers more precise and responsive temperature control than mechanical valves like the heater tap.
• It removes the need for coolant flow interruption to control cabin heating, instead working by mixing air streams, which is faster and more efficient.
• Modern emissions and cooling system designs favour continuous coolant flow to maintain engine temperature stability, making a heater tap redundant.
• Reliability and maintenance: fewer moving parts in the cooling circuit mean fewer potential leak points and less chance of failure.

Because of these design improvements, the heater tap is not relevant to the 2017 Subaru Forester's heating system. Instead, any issues related to cabin heating are usually connected to the blend door actuator, heater core, or thermostat rather than a valve controlling coolant flow. This also simplifies regular maintenance, as there's no need to inspect or replace a heater tap valve.

For those who own a 2017 Subaru Forester, it's useful to focus on other key components for heater system upkeep rather than looking for a heater tap. Maintaining a clean and functional heater core, checking coolant levels, ensuring the thermostat is operating correctly, and confirming blend doors are moving freely will keep the heating system running smoothly.

It's also worth noting that because the 2017 Forester does not have a heater tap, performing heater maintenance doesn't involve valve replacement or inspection. Instead, routine servicing focuses on the cooling system as a whole, such as flushing and refilling the coolant at prescribed intervals and checking for blockages or leaks in the heater core. If you experience a lack of heat inside the cabin, suspects often include air trapped in the cooling system, a failing thermostat, or issues with blend door actuators that control airflow and temperature mixing.