Some car heater cores are difficult to replace, which can result in high labor costs. Some mechanics offer the option of bypassing the heater core. This is not an ideal solution. However, there are other ways to work around the problem.

If it’s not possible to repair your car’s heater core before you hit the cold weather, a portable car heater is a viable option. There are a few things to keep in mind, though:

The bottom line is that even the best electric car heater can't replace a broken car heater, but that doesn't mean you have to drive around in the icy cold.

Because indoor space heaters heat relatively large amounts of air, you should be able to use one to warm a car. And while most space heaters put out enough heat to get you toasty in no time, there are two potential problems with this solution.