T8 2018 remote start - call from Volvo

[Busa1400]

Well this was interesting.

My remote start was not not working on my 2018 T8, but pre conditioning was. Despite lots of attempts by my local dealer and Volvo to fix remotely, it didnt happen.

This was 2 months ago.

Today I received a call from mt dealer to say that a fix is now out for 2018 XC90 and XC60 that don't remote start - can you bring yours down.

I was passing and dropped in - the update took about 90 minutes and they updated to the latest Sensus as well.

The car now remote starts on the app, and is confirmed as being remote started when I get in the car - I am not sure what this does reference heating etc as only just got the update but will have a play.

It maybe worth others contacting their dealer if remote start has been an issue.

[Busa1400]

It will not start with the charging cable connected - but will precondition with charging cable connected.

[Fortune7]

I waited 6 months for this fix and will get it done on Wednesday by dealer. My thoughts are that Remote Start on a T8 doesn't give much advantage in winter, but (when I first reported it not working) in summer it should pre-cool the car using a/c and not just outside air as-per preconditioning. Gotta wait a few months to find out but at least it'll be working!

Cheers, Andy

[Busa1400]

Ahh thats interesting.

My preconditioning is working fine, front seats, steering wheel and both front and rear screens, as well as increase in cabin temp via aux heater.

I couldn't see what benefit the remote start was - I am at a meeting tonight and will remote start the car before I leave to see what the upshot of that is - but suspect very little judging by Fortune7's post.

Interesting re AC in summer.

Fortune7 - hopefully this will draw a close to our troubles, I had the Sensus update done whilst I was there at no cost. When they came to connect the the app back to the car that had to enable data feed in system settings but that was it.

[Fortune7]

Originally Posted by Busa1400

Ahh thats interesting.

My preconditioning is working fine, front seats, steering wheel and both front and rear screens, as well as increase in cabin temp via aux heater.

I couldn't see what benefit the remote start was - I am at a meeting tonight and will remote start the car before I leave to see what the upshot of that is - but suspect very little judging by Fortune7's post.

Interesting re AC in summer.

Fortune7 - hopefully this will draw a close to our troubles, I had the Sensus update done whilst I was there at no cost. When they came to connect the the app back to the car that had to enable data feed in system settings but that was it.

Yes, I'm hoping my car will now 'work as advertised' despite this being the only fault so far. I'll ask them to do a full Sensus update - thanks for the point about re-enabling data feed. Unless the Tech. guy knows this, I'd be thinking they'd added another fault!

I'm no expert on this, my comment above about a/c in summer is only a 'hope', but logic (?!) seems to point to this working in high ambient temps. If it doesn't, then what's the point?

As has been said before, the Remote Start and Preconditioning functions on the T8 are a bit of a puzzle to understand, what-with the combinations of plugged-in or un-plugged, VOC app or direct control, the action of the aux. heater and the lack of clear instructions.

Cheers, Andy

[Philip Fisher]

Originally Posted by Fortune7

Yes, I'm hoping my car will now 'work as advertised' despite this being the only fault so far. I'll ask them to do a full Sensus update - thanks for the point about re-enabling data feed. Unless the Tech. guy knows this, I'd be thinking they'd added another fault!

I'm no expert on this, my comment above about a/c in summer is only a 'hope', but logic (?!) seems to point to this working in high ambient temps. If it doesn't, then what's the point?

As has been said before, the Remote Start and Preconditioning functions on the T8 are a bit of a puzzle to understand, what-with the combinations of plugged-in or un-plugged, VOC app or direct control, the action of the aux. heater and the lack of clear instructions.

Cheers, Andy

To get air con cooling of the cabin in summer you dont need to remote start. Just trigger preconditioning via the app and lovely air con cooled air is pumped into the cabin.

Remote start works for me on my T8 but I struggle to see the value in using it....

[Fortune7]

Originally Posted by Philip Fisher

To get air con cooling of the cabin in summer you dont need to remote start. Just trigger preconditioning via the app and lovely air con cooled air is pumped into the cabin.

Remote start works for me on my T8 but I struggle to see the value in using it....

My dealer updated the software today (inc. Sensus update) and Engine Remote Start (ERS) now works but as you say, not sure what it does for me over Preconditioning at the moment!

I got hold of a Volvo document "2017 - 2019 Electrification Strategy" - see attached - which has some explanation about ERS and Preconditioning and, despite the title includes information on current diesel engine technology (Power Pulse, etc). Not sure when it was published but it references for Precon: "The hybrid battery charging cable must be connected" but mine works well un-plugged! I guess it's the usual case that software functionality advances faster than the printed word.....Anyway it might be a useful read for some.

So for a full ERS check it looks like I'll have to wait for UK ambient temperatures to climb to the high 20s to see if it's a better option for (unplugged) cabin cooling than Preconditioning, which I admit I thought only brought-in outside air for cooling, not A/C, but I've been wrong before......

Andy

[Bicax]

Hi guys,

I also though that the airco only worked when you remote started the car, and that preconditioning only pumped outside air.

Is the T8 different than the other cars due to the extra battery?

[SpaceBoy42]

Aircon definitely works on my car during the summer, even if the cable is disconnected. I haven't tried remote start because as others have stated, I can't see the major advantage in doing so.

The one difference may be it looks like you can set the cabin temperature before getting out of the car, then when you remote start the car, the air conditioning will try and achieve this target temperature, whereas preconditioning aims for a set temperature (20 or so degrees?).

[SpaceBoy42]

...oh and watch out using "Start" in "Parking Climate" for preconditioning on the VOC app without cancelling it before the end of your journey! A couple of times I have used it in the cold, the Aux heater has done a good job, I've driven off in Pure mode but when I get out and lock the car at the end of the journey, the Aux heater starts back up as preconditioning is still active in the Climate settings! Recipe for wasted fuel and a flattened battery without you knowing.