Mr. Luddite wrote:
On 12/30/2017 9:57 PM, Bill wrote:
Alex wrote:
justan wrote:
"Mr. Luddite" Wrote in message:
On 12/29/2017 9:06 PM, True North wrote:
On Friday, 29 December 2017 20:32:03 UTC-4, Mr. Luddite wrote:
On 12/29/2017 7:21 PM, Alex wrote:
Mr. Luddite wrote:
Rethinking my early morning Dunkin' Donuts run.

4 degrees F. right now with a wind chill of minus 5-10.

Got remote start on that Colorado?


Thankfully, yes. This morning I let it run through two complete, 10
minute warm up cycles before I ventured out. Temp had actually dropped
another degree to 3.

Below a certain temp the remote starter also automatically turns on the
seat heater which is nice. Makes a big difference!

From what I've read...warming up while sitting idling isn't good for
the vehicle or the environment. They say it's better to drive away
slowly for the first 5-10 minutes.
I have a dedicated long extension cord that I use to plug in the block
heater. I bought an electric battery blanket also but haven't installed it yet.
An hour before I go anywhere on mornings below -10C, I throw the
inside switch that controls 2 of my 3 outside plugs. The Highlander
starts easily and warms up much faster.

Car manufacturers used to warn about idling a car for long periods
because it was bad for the catalytic converter. Don't know if that's
true anymore as remote starters in cold climates have become very
popular. I don't have a garage and when you use the remote start it
also turns on the windshield and rear window defroster full blast.
Without that benefit, I'd be sitting in the driveway for a while anyway
waiting to see where I was going.

In any event I only use it on these very cold mornings. My total drive
to and from the local Dunkin's is only 10 minutes and I like doing it
without freezing my ass off.


I wish I could remember to use my remote start when my car has
been baking under the hot Florida sun.

That what I use mine for. No need for the cold days but I have turned
on the heated seats when I get in. Leather can be cold even in temps
around 50º.



My wife’s Venza had everything but seat heaters. Did not realize that
until a couple weeks later when she wanted heated seats. My truck is nice
in the heated seat until you accidentally turn them on in the summer.



Couple of the BMW's I had had both heated and air conditioned seats.
Leather had tiny holes in it that allowed the AC to be ducted through.




Was an option, but we missed it on the order.