Cold weather help

95autoturbo · Post by **95autoturbo** » 26 Oct 2006, 11:16

Just moved into an apartment and it is getting cold, how could I start my car to warm it up and lock the doors, so I can return after a few minutes. I notice the remote will not lock the doors when the car is running.

Post by **billofdurham** » 26 Oct 2006, 12:08

Starting the engine and leaving the car unattended, whether locked or not, is an open invitation to someone with nefarious intentions to break a window and drive off.

However, if you have a spare key you could use that to lock the doors.

As an aside, leaving a car unattended with the engine running is an offence in the UK.

Bill.

White850Turbo · Post by **White850Turbo** » 26 Oct 2006, 16:10

I can do this with my turbo timer. I set it for 10 minutes, take the key out of the ignition and the car keeps running. I can then lock the door and let it warm up while I chug the last cup of coffee before heading off to work/class. As an extra precaution, even if someone were to try to break the window and drive off, the engine shuts off automatically as soon as the e-brake is released.

Black850 · Post by **Black850** » 26 Oct 2006, 16:25

White850Turbo wrote:I can do this with my turbo timer.

Can you explain this some more.

sntee · Post by **sntee** » 26 Oct 2006, 17:32

This is probably totally irrelevent, but you can get an accessory for old Landrovers that acts as a preheater.

You plug it into your mains electricity overnight and set the timer. It then circulates your coolant through a heating element. So by the time you get into it in the morning, HEY PRESTO nice warm air from your heater straight away and no cold start problems.

You just have to remember to unplug it before driving off

I don't know if this kit is available for Volvos or if it would be of any use to you.... but its a neat idea

Post by **MadeInJapan** » 26 Oct 2006, 18:00

sntee wrote:This is probably totally irrelevent, but you can get an accessory for old Landrovers that acts as a preheater.

Volvo sells a similar unit too. You can find them on most Volvo parts sites. Try CALLING www.fcpgroton.com and ask them about Engine Block heater...seen in a picture below

White850Turbo · Post by **White850Turbo** » 26 Oct 2006, 18:40

Black850 wrote:
White850Turbo wrote:I can do this with my turbo timer.
Can you explain this some more.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/BLITZ-BL ... 7345QQrdZ1

^^^ You wire one of these up (make sure you get a reputable brand such as Greddy, Blitz, A'pexi, etc.. I'm not sure if they all have the security e-brake feature. I have the Blitz and it does. There are really only 5 connections required.

1. +12V
2. The main ignition wire
3. The main accessory wire
4. Ground
5. E-brake

Post by **MadeInJapan** » 26 Oct 2006, 18:45

These are actually made to keep your car at idle after a heated run to allow the turbo to cool off before the car is shut off. Unless you race your car you really don't need one...just drive slow and don't use your turbo for at least a minute or so after your run, or after you stop, let your car idle for a minute or so.

This is the first time I've seen one of these units being discussed to warm the car up. Personally I would rather use an engine block heater, but that's me.

Post by **billofdurham** » 27 Oct 2006, 12:00

As the original post was about a car being left outside an apartment where would an engine pre-heater be plugged in to the mains?

I have friends who live in the wilds of Canada and they do this with their cars but there is a dedicated socket on the outside wall of their house.

Just curious!

Bill.

CarVolvo · Post by **CarVolvo** » 27 Oct 2006, 12:14

FYI in canada we sometimes do have electrical plugs in front of our parking space.

When i lived in Calgary.. out west it was available so i would be hoping that MO which has similar weather may have some.

I agree that one should not keep your car running unattended for theft as well as environmental reasons. If you cant get a block heater installed and a place to plug it in.. hopefully your seat warmers work

Also ive noticed my car took a long time to heat up when it was in the dead of winter. One of the tricks we use to get the car to warm up faster is put a piece of carboard behind the grill so less cold air travels to the radiator and cause the engine to keep heated without intake air cooling it off. (mine is not a turbo charged model so there might be issues if you have a turbo and attemt this)

The down side to this is that you should keep an eye on your temperature gauge to ensure that your car wont overheat. When its winter here I could keep that cardboard in there from jan to feb without any heating issues even when travelling fast on the highway.