Winter Warm-up Discussion: Heaters, Starters, etc

[PRY4SNO]

Re: Winter Warm-up Discussion: Heaters, Starters, etc

Surprised nobody mentioned a battery blanket. They are cheap, painless to install and can help a lot with cold cranking amps.

I've had good luck so far with full synthetic oil, a quality battery and block heater being plugged in overnight.

This year I'm inclined to use an inline coolant heater, as a buddy had great success with one on his Hilux. Said it was like: key on, instant heat.

[PRY4SNO]

Re: Winter Warm-up Discussion: Heaters, Starters, etc

3) In-line coolant heater/circulator

Remote Starters: Good idea or bad idea? I've heard numerous sides to both stories but what do you guys thing? I know some guys idle their cars for long periods of time and say driving a cold car will damage it in the long run. I've also heard the exact opposite that people idle their cars for 45 seconds, then drive them slowly to warm them up and say that idling for long periods of time will damage the engine in the long run. Thoughts and opinions on both?

Regarding the cold start and idling... it's the initial revolutions where there is no oil left on the crank bearing journals that does the damage. Once there's lubrication you're good to go, progressively feeding more revs once the coolant/oil temps rise.

I really appreciated how my A4 would crank over, idle at 1250rpm for 30-90 seconds and drop to ~800rpm and I'd be good to proceed. When I get tuning on VEMS I'll try to incorporate something similar on the Coupe.

[JVD]

Re: Winter Warm-up Discussion: Heaters, Starters, etc

Not sure how you guys are getting your cars up to temp in 5 mins after it sat in -25 weather. I'm sorry.

I leave my heated parkade and don't go above 3k rpm on my 10-15min drive to work. My oil temp doesn't even move until I'm like 10 mins in. Coolant temp, sure. Not oil.

Rarely get to rip on the car because of this. Lol.

[R_Ethug]

Re: Winter Warm-up Discussion: Heaters, Starters, etc

yea i maybe put a remote starter in this winter for my s4 but it sucks at the park and ride -25 or -30.. sit there for 5-10 minutes trying to warm it up.. drive along and it takes 10 minutes to get the coolant to even hit 90 and the oil finally heats up by the time i'm already home

[ryukin2000]

Re: Winter Warm-up Discussion: Heaters, Starters, etc

i had a compustar remote starer insatlled on my jetta first and only let the car warm up for 5 mins max. then i installed the coolant heater and the instructions said not to start the car with it plugged in hence i dont use the starter anymore. my car cranks over and i get pretty quick heat. i would go with that. but i find the starter is bonus for times i cant plug like when i watch a movie at the cinema. i start the car as the credit rolls.

[Geobmx4life]

Re: Winter Warm-up Discussion: Heaters, Starters, etc

Having a TDI with mods and removed EGR, I use a FrostHeater(ZeroStart 1000w) inline coolant heater...TDI's take forever to warm up...when its -20 and colder, I plug it in as soon as I get home, cheaper to keep the coolant warm than to warm it up from -20. I also leave the controls on defrost, that way the windshield stays frost free overnight. Love it, and its relatively cheap to do.

[BolideVW]

Re: Winter Warm-up Discussion: Heaters, Starters, etc

My winter beater has a remote starter in it. I think its fabulous. I only let it idle 5 mins max usually. Its not exactly warm when I get in, but within another 5 mins of driving I find myself being comfortable.

[CGDoig]

Re: Winter Warm-up Discussion: Heaters, Starters, etc

In line coolant heater partyk. Honestly all you need to know. Instant heat when started. I have a scan gauge and when I turn the car to accessory before starting, the coolant is at running temp. Only when the thermostat dumps does it drop a bit but by that point you're already driving. They're cheap. Just as easy to install and safe.

[witchcraftz]

Re: Winter Warm-up Discussion: Heaters, Starters, etc

I found that I didn't need to use the block heater in Calgary on the TDI, it started fine. But it does have one and I used it a couple of times, I did notice that the engine got warm much faster.

[91wolfie]

Re: Winter Warm-up Discussion: Heaters, Starters, etc

In my dodge diesel i plug it in at anything colder than -5, i use the remote starter and let it run for the 20 min time limit, has a high idle when it sits... plus she isnt a happy girl when she doesnt get warm. A little different realm but just thought id share lol

[darkmanCANADA]

Re: Winter Warm-up Discussion: Heaters, Starters, etc

In my old MK4 TDI I had a oil pan heater that worked well but then I got a job at at place where I had to park outside in the open with no protection. Then I switched to a Zerostart inline coolant heater. Worked well until someone got one too and then if we were plugged into the same circuit it would blow the breaker. Finally I just ripped both out and stuck with a battery pad that fit the footprint of the battery perfectly. Got it at Gregg Distributors. The pad was all that I needed for good starts in the TDI. BTW good luck trying to get a battery blanket around a MK4 with the battery housing on. Simlply with the heated seats and my 45 minute commute at the time the car warmed up nicely.

[PRY4SNO]

Re: Winter Warm-up Discussion: Heaters, Starters, etc

Not sure how you guys are getting your cars up to temp in 5 mins after it sat in -25 weather. I'm sorry.

That's not what people are saying.

Consensus is, it's safe to drive after idling 5 minutes... doesn't need 45m to idle. Engine will naturally warm up under load while driving, just take 'er easy till then.

[darkmanCANADA]

Re: Winter Warm-up Discussion: Heaters, Starters, etc

Another thing that worked wonders on the MK4 TDI is the winter front:

http://www.worldimpex.com/parts/genu...er_272153.html

[JVD]

Re: Winter Warm-up Discussion: Heaters, Starters, etc

That's not what people are saying.

Consensus is, it's safe to drive after idling 5 minutes... doesn't need 45m to idle. Engine will naturally warm up under load while driving, just take 'er easy till then.

Sitting and idling your car for 45 minutes is beyond ridiculous. I warm up my car for 60 seconds max then drive it. As for as engine wear is concerned, who knows.

Idling warms the car up in like 30 minutes, while driving it warms it up in about 5 minutes. I have people around me that idle it 30 minutes-45 minutes so they can get into a warm car, seriously? You live in Calgary, winter and cold weather exists. Suck it up.

ok

My point is that there's a difference between having your heater blow warm air and the engine being up to temp.

[darkmanCANADA]

Re: Winter Warm-up Discussion: Heaters, Starters, etc

Another thing that worked wonders on the MK4 TDI is the winter front:

http://www.worldimpex.com/parts/genu...er_272153.html

If anyone can find the same kind of product for a MK6 GLI with the honeycomb grill that would be great