How does pre conditioning work?

[Paul Wildsmith]

Now its getting colder I'm thinking of using the remote start more often. This works usually ok (takes too long to make a connection really) and at least on my phone I can use a fingerprint to activate rather than remember my password.

But, it doesn't turn on any climate controls. Which is what I imagine the preconditioning bit does. When I select this, after a while I just get a 'failed to activate' message.

Am I doing something wrong? Do I need to have set a timer first? Any suggestions welcome!

[Lexman8]

Strictly speaking, Parking Climate (or pre-conditioning) applies to those vehicles with the aux heater option fitted. This fuel-fired 5kw heater warms the engine and cabin by pumping the engine's cooling system water through a small 'boiler' and circulating it (using an electric pump) around the engine and into the cabin's climate system where the fan blows warm air into the cabin in the normal way. In addition, it includes an extra bit of software* which, when the ambient temperature is high, blows external air through the cabin to cool it down.

If you use ERS (Engine Remote Start) the climate system will attempt to heat or cool the cabin using the standard HVAC system. Afaik, it does not use the last user settings of the climate system but rather just aims to get the cabin to a comfortable temperature of ~20C. However, an idling engine (particularly a diesel) can take a while to warm up. ERS will also turn on front seat, steering wheel and screen heaters if these have been set to come on automatically at <10C.

*This software was (is?) available as a dealer fit option.

[Paul Wildsmith]

thanks - I don't have the separate parking heater, I have a D5. But, have assumed (may be wrongly ..) that the 'precondition' option is available to me, it must work/do something!

To be fair, I've hardly used remote start, and then not for more than 30 secs before getting to the car (not a fan of leaving a cars engine idling).

[Lexman8]

Originally Posted by Paul Wildsmith

have assumed (may be wrongly ..) that the 'precondition' option is available to me, it must work/do something!

I'm not sure if it does. I have the aux heater so cannot check. Perhaps it (wrongly) appears even if the necessary kit to support it isn't fitted and that's why you get the error message.

Maybe someone else with the standard setup can confirm.

[Roosterb]

I don’t have have pre conditioning option and don’t see it in VOC app.

[cassell]

Originally Posted by Paul Wildsmith

thanks - I don't have the separate parking heater, I have a D5. But, have assumed (may be wrongly ..) that the 'precondition' option is available to me, it must work/do something!

To be fair, I've hardly used remote start, and then not for more than 30 secs before getting to the car (not a fan of leaving a cars engine idling).

Paul,

Go into settings>climate and activate the seat(s) heat and steering wheel heat at level 2 on start up.

Remotely start your car via the on call app and by the time you jump in your front seats and wheel will be at a very comfortable level. I've been using mine for a couple of weeks and it's brilliant.

Paul

[Bicax]

Originally Posted by Lexman8

I'm not sure if it does. I have the aux heater so cannot check. Perhaps it (wrongly) appears even if the necessary kit to support it isn't fitted and that's why you get the error message.

Maybe someone else with the standard setup can confirm.

I don't have the auxiliary heater, and the option is also available to me on VoC. However, it gives an error message when you try to use it.

My initial thought was also that they should have removed the option from VoC for those of us who don't have the auxiliary heater, since it can be confusing.

[Paul Wildsmith]

My assumption is that features not applicable to your car just don't appear (for example, I can't select car play).

Currently I have the seat and wheel at level 1. I think I need to start a bit sooner than I've done so far, to see what happens when left for longer.

[Philip Fisher]

Originally Posted by Lexman8

Strictly speaking, Parking Climate (or pre-conditioning) applies to those vehicles with the aux heater option fitted. This fuel-fired 5kw heater warms the engine and cabin by pumping the engine's cooling system water through a small 'boiler' and circulating it (using an electric pump) around the engine and into the cabin's climate system where the fan blows warm air into the cabin in the normal way. In addition, it includes an extra bit of software* which, when the ambient temperature is high, blows external air through the cabin to cool it down.

If you use ERS (Engine Remote Start) the climate system will attempt to heat or cool the cabin using the standard HVAC system. Afaik, it does not use the last user settings of the climate system but rather just aims to get the cabin to a comfortable temperature of ~20C. However, an idling engine (particularly a diesel) can take a while to warm up. ERS will also turn on front seat, steering wheel and screen heaters if these have been set to come on automatically at <10C.

*This software was (is?) available as a dealer fit option.

Good explanation Lexman. In addition on the T8 when plugged in it will run the AC to cool the cabin down too......

[exbmw]

Originally Posted by Philip Fisher

Good explanation Lexman. In addition on the T8 when plugged in it will run the AC to cool the cabin down too......

And pre conditioning (parking climate) on the T8 will turn on the heated seated, steering whell and windows