Remote start - anyone got it?
Discussion
I've got an E350 CDI (soon to be replaced with an R350 CDI) as a family wagon, and it fits that role very well - couldn't be more pleased with it.
However, as the cold mornings set in again I've been wondering about warming the car up before I get in it. There seem to be a few systems that let you start the car remotely without a key. From a security point of view the car stays locked, and if it gets moved out of park or the brake pedal is pushed, the engine is killed. (Also I park behind the house so can't be seen from the road.)
They also kill the engine if it runs for more than 15 mins, and if you do more than 3 or 5 remote starts in a row without driving the car it won't remote start until 'properly' started - e.g. if you leave the fob in your pocket and keep on pressing it by accident. Finally, some of these kits have a mobile phone interface so you can do it from your phone.
The idea being, get up in the morning, remote start the engine, have breakfast. By the time I get to the car the engine is warmed and hence the interior is warmed up, any frost on the glass has been melted away, etc.
Just wondering if anyone else has had one of these systems installed and what they think? It looks pretty good to be honest, I am pretty tempted.
However, as the cold mornings set in again I've been wondering about warming the car up before I get in it. There seem to be a few systems that let you start the car remotely without a key. From a security point of view the car stays locked, and if it gets moved out of park or the brake pedal is pushed, the engine is killed. (Also I park behind the house so can't be seen from the road.)
They also kill the engine if it runs for more than 15 mins, and if you do more than 3 or 5 remote starts in a row without driving the car it won't remote start until 'properly' started - e.g. if you leave the fob in your pocket and keep on pressing it by accident. Finally, some of these kits have a mobile phone interface so you can do it from your phone.
The idea being, get up in the morning, remote start the engine, have breakfast. By the time I get to the car the engine is warmed and hence the interior is warmed up, any frost on the glass has been melted away, etc.
Just wondering if anyone else has had one of these systems installed and what they think? It looks pretty good to be honest, I am pretty tempted.
Not on my Mercedes but when I lived in NY many american cars seemed to come standard with remote start for exactly the reasons you describe- it gets extremely cold there during winter and I had it on our Jeep Grand Cherokee, standard from the factory - it was great.
Guy at work here in UK has one on his RS4 - its a full clifford system with integrated alarm.
Dunc
Guy at work here in UK has one on his RS4 - its a full clifford system with integrated alarm.
Dunc
r129sl said:
Can you spec your R350 CDI to come with the Webasto pre-heater? And would it be cheaper to retrofit such a heater to your E than to buy the remote start kit? I dunno.
Seems a more sensible solution if you really are so wussy as to need a pre warmed car.Remote starting is just a waste of fuel, damaging to the engine and has little to recommend it. Maybe in Winnipeg but not Winnersh.........
r129sl said:
Can you spec your R350 CDI to come with the Webasto pre-heater? And would it be cheaper to retrofit such a heater to your E than to buy the remote start kit? I dunno.
It was never OEM in the UK - although in other climates it was.I've dropped them an email to see if it's possible to retrofit.
REALIST123 said:
Seems a more sensible solution if you really are so wussy as to need a pre warmed car.
Remote starting is just a waste of fuel, damaging to the engine and has little to recommend it. Maybe in Winnipeg but not Winnersh.........
Fuel at idling is pennies, I don't see given the choice who wouldn't want to jump into a nicely warmed up car rather than spend 5 mins with an ice scraper! There are probably other ways people would want to spend their money, but I see no harm in spending mine that way..Remote starting is just a waste of fuel, damaging to the engine and has little to recommend it. Maybe in Winnipeg but not Winnersh.........
edb49 said:
REALIST123 said:
Seems a more sensible solution if you really are so wussy as to need a pre warmed car.
Remote starting is just a waste of fuel, damaging to the engine and has little to recommend it. Maybe in Winnipeg but not Winnersh.........
Fuel at idling is pennies, I don't see given the choice who wouldn't want to jump into a nicely warmed up car rather than spend 5 mins with an ice scraper! There are probably other ways people would want to spend their money, but I see no harm in spending mine that way..Remote starting is just a waste of fuel, damaging to the engine and has little to recommend it. Maybe in Winnipeg but not Winnersh.........
Incidentally, I would question whether or not a modern diesel would warm significantly in 10 to 15 minutes of idling. As you say there is little fuel used and so little energy to be converted into heat. I would certainly check that out before going ahead.
REALIST123 said:
Of course, and the cost of the fuel, I agree, is not the significant factor. But why not a pre-heater rather than a remote start? Give you all you want without the downsides and the added benefit of the engine getting less cold running.
Incidentally, I would question whether or not a modern diesel would warm significantly in 10 to 15 minutes of idling. As you say there is little fuel used and so little energy to be converted into heat. I would certainly check that out before going ahead.
Yep - that's my biggest concern, on whether it will actually warm up enough or not. I'm going to do a test and wait for a cold/icy morning then leave the car idling for 15 mins to see if it warms up.Incidentally, I would question whether or not a modern diesel would warm significantly in 10 to 15 minutes of idling. As you say there is little fuel used and so little energy to be converted into heat. I would certainly check that out before going ahead.
As I see it a pre-heater is more complex so if they achieve the end result a remote start is neater. Pre heater requires fuel, electrics, plumbing into existing coolant loop. Remote start is just overriding the immobiliser I assume.
edb49 said:
REALIST123 said:
Of course, and the cost of the fuel, I agree, is not the significant factor. But why not a pre-heater rather than a remote start? Give you all you want without the downsides and the added benefit of the engine getting less cold running.
Incidentally, I would question whether or not a modern diesel would warm significantly in 10 to 15 minutes of idling. As you say there is little fuel used and so little energy to be converted into heat. I would certainly check that out before going ahead.
Yep - that's my biggest concern, on whether it will actually warm up enough or not. I'm going to do a test and wait for a cold/icy morning then leave the car idling for 15 mins to see if it warms up.Incidentally, I would question whether or not a modern diesel would warm significantly in 10 to 15 minutes of idling. As you say there is little fuel used and so little energy to be converted into heat. I would certainly check that out before going ahead.
As I see it a pre-heater is more complex so if they achieve the end result a remote start is neater. Pre heater requires fuel, electrics, plumbing into existing coolant loop. Remote start is just overriding the immobiliser I assume.
Fair point about technology but I suspect both methods will be quite complex. Any idea on costs for both yet?
Still think you're a wuss......
odyssey2200 said:
IIRC Remote engine start is not legal in the UK or under EU Type Approval, which is why no manufacturer offers it.
I was offered it by a manufacturer in a previous job but VOSA threw a hissy fit when I made enquiries so we never ticked that box.
A Fuel fired heater is allowed though.
I know you're not allowed to leave your engine running without someone at the wheel in the UK. Not sure if it's in the Road Traffic Act or somewhere else.I was offered it by a manufacturer in a previous job but VOSA threw a hissy fit when I made enquiries so we never ticked that box.
A Fuel fired heater is allowed though.
This is off the public road though so I'm not concerned about the legalities.
edb49 said:
odyssey2200 said:
IIRC Remote engine start is not legal in the UK or under EU Type Approval, which is why no manufacturer offers it.
I was offered it by a manufacturer in a previous job but VOSA threw a hissy fit when I made enquiries so we never ticked that box.
A Fuel fired heater is allowed though.
I know you're not allowed to leave your engine running without someone at the wheel in the UK. Not sure if it's in the Road Traffic Act or somewhere else.I was offered it by a manufacturer in a previous job but VOSA threw a hissy fit when I made enquiries so we never ticked that box.
A Fuel fired heater is allowed though.
This is off the public road though so I'm not concerned about the legalities.
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