Look here for help first!
Over time, the heater control lever in the cabin becomes sticky and difficult to move. Do not force the lever, as there are fragile plastic bits behind the climate control panel which will easily become damaged.
Although this picture doesn't detail the specific climate control lever I am referring to for the heater, which is at the upper left above, you can see a bit more of how these levers for the climate control all work. There are fragile plastic pieces that metal levers move through, which should not be forced. They will break before the lever moves, if it feels stiff. The good news is that the solution to fix this is simple:
1. Open the hood and look at the passenger's side firewall, behind the air cleaner. You will see a heater control valve, with a metal bracket and a metal rod (with plastic outer sheath) clipped in place. Carefully pry the clip off of the rod, and slide the circular end upward, out of the bracket.
2. Use a small bungie or something similar to suspend the end of the rod, being careful not to kink it. Now apply some silicone spray or whatever else you might have handy (WD-40), and let gravity do its work. I sprayed silicone spray down the narrow opening of the plastic sheath tube a few times, and waited a couple of minutes between each application.
3. Reinstall your rod on the heater control valve, and marvel your handiwork from the cabin. Enjoy your nice and smooth-operating lever.
