Comments on: How can i step into a warm car during very cold winter mornings?

By: Ian F

Ian F — Sun, 31 May 2009 19:09:19 +0000

HELP I WANT SUCH AND SUCH BUT I AM UNWILLING TO DO ANY OF THE THINGS REQUIRED TO GET SUCH AND SUCH.

The only options you have would be an electric heater, or a heated garage.

An electric heater could be set on a timer. But if you have it run off the battery, and you don’t get to it soon enough, it will kill your battery (extra quick, because it’s cold). If you have it hooked to household power, well, you may be able to get away with driving off with it plugged in (it’ll just pop out) but you will have to remember to plug the thing in when you get home.

A heated garage would keep the car warm, of course. This is not a terribly energy-efficient option.

Really your best option would be to get a car with heated seats and/or steering wheel.

Also, if you have leather or vinyl seats, getting cloth seats (or maybe sheepskin seat covers) would help them feel warmer a lot faster.

By: Fred C

Fred C — Fri, 29 May 2009 04:11:12 +0000

Has nobody heard of an interior car warmer?
Plugs into standard household power?

By: Aussie Bloke

Aussie Bloke — Wed, 27 May 2009 19:29:02 +0000

Remember that your car is heated by excess heat in the engine - there is no heat until the engine warms up. Cars don’t have electric heaters - it would take too much power from the alternator and battery.

If you park outdoors:
I start the car about 15 mins before I’m ready to leave - making sure to leave the vent system on feet and face, and using recurculated air (no outside air.) Then I lock the car door and go in to get ready. When I go back out, the car is nice and toasty. I use my spare key (don’t forget it!) to unlock the car, get in and drive off.

If the windows are fogged on the inside (it happens sometimes), just switch back to fresh air and turn the A/C on - this will pull the moisture from the air. Now the windows are defrosted, and the engine and interior are nice and warm.

The only other way is to use a remote starter - but you can’t if your car is stick shift, since it would require that you bypass the clutch safety switch - this means that the car can start in gear and idle off down the street with no one inside and the doors locked. Fitting a remote starter to a stick shift is illegal.

If you park in a garage:
You can get an engine heater that plugs in and keeps the coolant warm. These are commonly used in cold climates to prevent the radiator freezing overnight, and by diesel trucks, since they rely on heat to ignite the fuel (there is no spark.) Just unplug the car and start it up. Warm air! But whatever you do, don’t start the car and leave it warming up in the garage - you may kill yourself and your family, since the car will produce large amounts of carbon monoxide when running cold. Always do this outdoors.

Good luck!

By: dngrrngr62

dngrrngr62 — Tue, 26 May 2009 02:07:11 +0000

electronics do not heat your car. The hot water flowing through the engine makes heat,and your car has to be running for this to work So a remote start is really your only choice

By: Neo

Neo — Sun, 24 May 2009 04:53:36 +0000

I have used a remote start for several years, and thats the most effective solution. Which can be had for less than $200 installed. It can even be installed on manual cars…

Otherwise, hire someone from the neighborhood to come and start your car for 10 minutes in the morning.

By: sweetypie615grd

sweetypie615grd — Thu, 21 May 2009 23:58:48 +0000

get ready turn the car on then go inside then brush ur teeth

By: oklatom

oklatom — Wed, 20 May 2009 00:58:47 +0000

Starting your vehicle and allowing it to run for any time at all to warm up merely for your comfort is against the law in some states, and not a good idea in others. It wastes fuel. It also gives car thieves a perfect opportunity to steal cars.

You can of course leave the car in a heated garage…

By: Autoinspector

Autoinspector — Sun, 17 May 2009 01:06:59 +0000

Some alarms have the feature you are looking for - you can set temp, and it will start automatically to maintain it. It costs about $100-150 depending on other features.
No, your batter will not die because when the engine is running, it is recharged.

By: bundygil

bundygil — Thu, 14 May 2009 06:35:02 +0000

You can have the heater and timer wired in separate from the ignition by an auto electrician. Make sure you have a set switch so it only happens when required.
Simpler way is to duck out and start the car with the heater on a few minutes before setting off in the morning. I used to do that when I lived in a cold morning area.
I woke up and moved to a warm climate area.

By: ToothFairySpaniel

ToothFairySpaniel — Wed, 13 May 2009 20:16:02 +0000

Purchase and install a “remote starter” for your vehicle starting it in the comfort of your home 10 minutes before you leave.