Auxiliary fuel-fired heater vs. Remote Start

[Konst]

Originally Posted by Deman77

Fuel heater is a lot more effective it produces hot air within 30sec and engine can take up to 10min. So if you ever have an unplanned trip the heater boost means you have hot air out of vents straight away, normal diesel takes forever.

I agree with this. With the fuel heater in a few minutes the cabin is already at comfortable temperature, and there is the further benefit of the diesel engine smooth and quiet since starting.
I used to have an auxiliary fuel heater on all my previous diesel cars (mostly Webasto systems) and in our climate it is really a worth-the-money option.
The fuel turbine will start without problems at almost any temperature, the Volvo diesel engine may not like starting in some cold mountain mornings here...

Only thing I miss on the Volvo fuel heater is a remote control (like the webasto) which allow to start it without using the phone app.

[neon]

Seems a bit crazy we have a stop/start that cannot be disabled that is supposed to save on fuel and emissions, but then an app is updated to allow the engine to be turned on anywhere and just run with no one in the car. I am quite surprised this is legal in the UK.

[Lexman8]

Originally Posted by neon

Seems a bit crazy we have a stop/start that cannot be disabled that is supposed to save on fuel and emissions, but then an app is updated to allow the engine to be turned on anywhere and just run with no one in the car. I am quite surprised this is legal in the UK.

It's illegal to leave a vehicle unattended on public roads with the engine running and people are successfully prosecuted for it. I assume Volvo's argument is that the car is locked, can't be driven, etc. Seems to me that it's something that could/will get tested in the courts. Afaik, no other manufacturer offers it in the UK. I wouldn't be surprised if Volvo has to disable the feature in future.

The start/stop thing is all about reducing the certifiable emissions and less so about real-world pollution (although it does help, especially in cities).

I feel much less 'guilty' using the Aux heater than I would leaving the engine running for any more than a couple of mins.

[KNVXC90]

Thanks, I am going to stick to the fuel fired heater option.

[aab203]

A couple of related questions from me:

1) In the VoC app what is the difference between Heater and Precondition (my app says No and Yes respectively - with a T8)? This info is in the Diagnostics area, within 'Settings'

2) How do you know if the aux heater is on and functioning? I have the temp set in my car at a constant 20, but when I drive it feels the air coming out of the vents is cold. Maybe I don't know what 20 degrees should feel like through the vents but if anything I feel colder not warmer.

[neon]

Originally Posted by aab203

A couple of related questions from me:

1) In the VoC app what is the difference between Heater and Precondition (my app says No and Yes respectively - with a T8)? This info is in the Diagnostics area, within 'Settings'

2) How do you know if the aux heater is on and functioning? I have the temp set in my car at a constant 20, but when I drive it feels the air coming out of the vents is cold. Maybe I don't know what 20 degrees should feel like through the vents but if anything I feel colder not warmer.

Mine says parking climate on the app. In Sensus climate it says precondition, which I assume are the same things.

When it is on you get 4 wavy lines in the driver display, but I am not sure I have seen these on when driving. When stationery you cannot fail to hear it outside the car.

If you are talking about face vents, generally these blow out colder air so you do not go to sleep.

[aab203]

Originally Posted by neon

Mine says parking climate on the app. In Sensus climate it says precondition, which I assume are the same things.

When it is on you get 4 wavy lines in the driver display, but I am not sure I have seen these on when driving. When stationery you cannot fail to hear it outside the car.

If you are talking about face vents, generally these blow out colder air so you do not go to sleep.

Thanks - if you get the opportunity would you be able to take a photo of the '4 wavy lines'?

I see a bunch of overlapping rounded squares in the driver display (next to the time) - is that what you are referring to? If not, do you know what these are?

R.e. the face vents - are they the ones to the left/right of the steering wheel?

Just for clarity I've attached a screenshot of my VoC app in the Heater/Preconditioning fields

[Konst]

Originally Posted by aab203

Thanks - if you get the opportunity would you be able to take a photo of the '4 wavy lines'?

I see a bunch of overlapping rounded squares in the driver display (next to the time) - is that what you are referring to? If not, do you know what these are?

I sas told from my dealer The bunch of squares is a sort of "status OK, nothing to report " and the status icons like the car view with passengers and seat belts are popping out from this "bunch of squares".
I'm note sure but il seems to me the "4 weawy lines" heating symbol is displayed un the center screen.

[Usualwill]

I agree with Lexman's first post on this topic.
The Aux heater is undoubtedly more efficient on a cold morning but I don't think its sufficiently beneficial to justify the cost when compared to free remote start. I'd also recommend considering where you live and how much use you will get from it. I'm on the South coast so we get occasional frosty mornings and the remote start is sufficient. Perhaps further northwards where the weather is typically colder and harsher then the aux heater might make more sense.

[neon]

Originally Posted by Usualwill

I agree with Lexman's first post on this topic.
The Aux heater is undoubtedly more efficient on a cold morning but I don't think its sufficiently beneficial to justify the cost when compared to free remote start. I'd also recommend considering where you live and how much use you will get from it. I'm on the South coast so we get occasional frosty mornings and the remote start is sufficient. Perhaps further northwards where the weather is typically colder and harsher then the aux heater might make more sense.

I agree it is a nice to have, but a bit pricey with remote start available now. Still, cannot go back so will get the most out of it rather than beat myself up over it.