Parts for your 2017 Subaru Outback-Heater tap

The Heater Tap and Its Role in the 2017 Subaru Outback

When it comes to the 2017 Subaru Outback, the question of whether this vehicle uses a heater tap is a common one. After referring to technical sources and Subaru's service information for this model, it turns out that the 2017 Subaru Outback does not use a heater tap in its heating system. So, what does this mean and why is the heater tap not relevant for this particular vehicle?

A heater tap, sometimes known as a heater control valve, traditionally serves as a simple shut-off valve within the heater core circuit. Its main job is to control the flow of hot coolant from the engine into the heater core, allowing heat to be regulated inside the cabin. It's a mechanical method of adjusting cabin temperature, often found in older vehicles or simpler heating systems.

However, the 2017 Subaru Outback uses a more modern and efficient system for controlling cabin heat. Instead of relying on a heater tap, the Outback utilises an electronically controlled blend door system inside the HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning) unit. This blend door adjusts the amount of hot air mixed with cooler air before it reaches the cabin vents. As a result, the system controls cabin temperature without needing to physically restrict coolant flow through the heater core.

This electronic system allows for more precise temperature control and improved comfort for passengers. It also reduces the potential for leaks and failures that can occur with mechanical heater taps. The absence of a heater tap means less complexity under the bonnet and a system that's easier to maintain overall.

For those used to older cars or different makes and models, this might seem like a big change, but it's a great example of how modern automotive technology is evolving to improve the driving experience. If your 2017 Subaru Outback's heater isn't working as expected, it's usually worth checking the electronic components within the HVAC system or looking at coolant levels and thermostat operation, rather than focusing on a heater tap which simply isn't part of this vehicle's design.

Since the heater tap isn't used on the 2017 Subaru Outback, there's no need for maintenance or replacement related to this specific part. Instead, if you're servicing the heating system or doing routine maintenance on this vehicle, the focus should be on other components:

• Coolant system health and quality
• Thermostat operation and replacement intervals
• HVAC system electronic controls and blend door actuators
• Heater core condition and potential blockages
• Radiator and heater hoses

When a heater tap is fitted to other vehicles, its main maintenance requirement is to ensure it doesn't stick or leak. Over time, heater taps can suffer from corrosion or valve wear, causing leaking coolant or poor control of the heating system. Regular checks of hoses and connections, especially if the cabin heat is slow to respond or inconsistent, are advised in cars with heater taps. But for the 2017 Outback, this is one less hassle to worry about.

If Subaru ever fitted a heater tap to an Outback or other models in earlier years, it would have been for systems that didn't have electronic blend controls. This valve would have let drivers manually or automatically control hot coolant flow to the heater core, but modern Subaru models have moved away from this method as part of their engineering improvements.

So overall, the lack of a heater tap on the 2017 Subaru Outback means the heating system relies on smarter, electronics-based control rather than mechanical valves. This benefits owners by reducing mechanical parts that can fail and streamlining the heating system's operation. For servicing, stick to coolant checks and HVAC system diagnostics rather than heater tap maintenance or replacement.