Automatic starter?
#11
12-05-2007, 04:22 AM
Re: Automatic starter?
Get the ENGINE BLOCK HEATER INSTEAD.
If you park in a garage out of the wind, you can have an 85'F engine ( and 85'F hot air to the cabin ) on a 0'F day before you turn the key.
Or you can have 100'F engine and air if you park at 40'F.
Parking outdoors you will probably get 65'F from the start, and hot, 100'F air within 2 minutes of starting the engine.
Check your electric bill for price per kW.
You need about 2 kW a night, which will cost about 20 cents in most areas.
If you park in a garage out of the wind, you can have an 85'F engine ( and 85'F hot air to the cabin ) on a 0'F day before you turn the key.
Or you can have 100'F engine and air if you park at 40'F.
Parking outdoors you will probably get 65'F from the start, and hot, 100'F air within 2 minutes of starting the engine.
Check your electric bill for price per kW.
You need about 2 kW a night, which will cost about 20 cents in most areas.
I live on long island, 20 cents is about right for the KW rate, but we need to add about 3.50 for all the sircharges they add plus taxes etc.. so 5$ about for a night of keeping the "block" warm.
Also I really never seen any avail outlets at a mall or my job or my friends house etc.. So When it's nice cold out and I'm about to leave work with snow falling, It's always nice to see the windows melted of ice and frost, my seats already heated and the backwindow already cleaned off. And the cabin is usually warm by the time i get to the car (5 mins). My Remote start turns off in 10 mins. But Usually the car goes into EV mode in about 5.
So while a EBH is a nice option, I dont really think a pregnat woman should be bending down every night in the cold trying to plug in her car. when a press of a button would be so much easier.
Oh and on top of the cold, In the summer I dont see how a EBH is going to cool the cabin down when it's 90 degrees out. Maybe you know of some trick?
Last edited by 08HYBRID; 12-05-2007 at 04:23 AM. Reason: Added the a/c factor
#12
12-05-2007, 05:46 AM
Re: Automatic starter?
I don't have a heater on any of my current cars, but when I did, I put it on a timer so that it started heating 2 or 3 hours before I needed to start it. That seemed to be plenty to get heat from the heater right away and cut the cost down compared to running it all night.
#13
12-05-2007, 07:10 AM
Re: Automatic starter?
I got a remote start from my Dealer when I got mine. IT works fine. It starts it right up and idles around 1500 rpm for 5 mins. after wich it turns off. but i go in and turn the key and with no problem. It has safty cut offs etc.
I think it's benifical, But if you get it make sure you set your heat / ac functions before you decide to use it otherwise your not heating the cabin..
I have mine set for auto at 75 =)
I think it's benifical, But if you get it make sure you set your heat / ac functions before you decide to use it otherwise your not heating the cabin..
I have mine set for auto at 75 =)
The unit is also coming with the engine block heater (few, if any, vehicles here are sold with out one) so I'll probably plug it in to a timer set to go on a few hours before I get up.
But, for those times when I'm not near a plugin I would really like to have the remote start. Any help in tracking down the exact right thing would be appreciated.
Thread
Topic Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
