Battery Life

[Aitch1]

Just wondering about the battery system and how it works. I notice that if I'm listening to the radio, or even tinkering with the settings menu, a notice pops up telling me that I will run the battery down if I continue. Well, that's ok, my other cars did the same. But, on the MG3 Hybrid there is an app, iSmart, that allows you to turn on the heating, seats, steering wheel and etc. from inside your home without starting the engine. So, how does that work? Is there another electrical system that runs all this?
Also, I've noticed as the weather gets a bit cooler, my engine starts, even on tick-over, in HEV mode. After a few hundred yards it usually reverts to EV mode. Any comments from the gurus?

 

[Italy]

I can answer the second part of your question:

At lower temperatures, the combustion engine will tend to start as soon as you press START. This is fairly common to all hybrids. It's all the more true if your high-voltage battery wasn't at a reasonable level when you pressed STOP at your last stop.

 

[MG Clive]

When I first viewed an MG3 at the Dealer, we were sat in the car for quite a while going over various features etc, when all of a sudden the engine started up, and the Salesman said it had started up to charge the battery. Well as we had not been moving, I guess it was to charge the 12volt battery, which will be used to power the A/C, Heated Seats and Steering Wheel etc, like on a 'normal' car.

 

[Aitch1]

When I first viewed an MG3 at the Dealer, we were sat in the car for quite a while going over various features etc, when all of a sudden the engine started up, and the Salesman said it had started up to charge the battery. Well as we had not been moving, I guess it was to charge the 12volt battery, which will be used to power the A/C, Heated Seats and Steering Wheel etc, like on a 'normal' car.

Cheers Clive. So does that mean if I turn my heater on from inside our house will the car engine start up?

 

[MG Clive]

Cheers Clive. So does that mean if I turn my heater on from inside our house will the car engine start up?

Good question, I'd say not, but if the battery is low I'd think you'll get a message saying that the operation couldn't be carried out, or something like that.

 

[Deleted member 18108]

I tried it last weekend out of curiosity and from the sound of it, the engine fired up for a few minutes to run the heater.

 

[Italy]

Good question, I'd say not, but if the battery is low I'd think you'll get a message saying that the operation couldn't be carried out, or something like that.

I think so too

 

[MG Clive]

I tried it last weekend out of curiosity and from the sound of it, the engine fired up for a few minutes to run the heater.

I'm sure I'll find out for myself at some point over the coming winter, but it's actually illegal to leave a vehicle unattended while the engine is running. ?

 

[Deleted member 18108]

Good point Clive.
I checked this out again this morning by setting the temperature to 24 degrees on the app. The engine kicked in. The doors remained locked, so I then opened the car door with the key fob. The ignition (Stop/Start) was not illuminated. I presumed that It is set up in such a way that the car cannot be driven away unless the keys are nearby so that probably keeps it within the legislation.
Just to check, I placed the keys back in the house and attempted to press the start button. The following message was displayed on the dash: "Smart Key not detected." The rotary dial would also not allow Drive or Reverse to be selected. This is similar to most systems where, there is a fail-safe, whereby the engine will shut off, once the brake pedal is pressed or the handbrake released, similar to the run-lock system on Emergency service vehicles.

 

[MG Clive]

Great info there @DeclanB, thanks for that.

 

[Aitch1]

Good point Clive.
I checked this out again this morning by setting the temperature to 24 degrees on the app. The engine kicked in. The doors remained locked, so I then opened the car door with the key fob. The ignition (Stop/Start) was not illuminated. I presumed that It is set up in such a way that the car cannot be driven away unless the keys are nearby so that probably keeps it within the legislation.
Just to check, I placed the keys back in the house and attempted to press the start button. The following message was displayed on the dash: "Smart Key not detected." The rotary dial would also not allow Drive or Reverse to be selected. This is similar to most systems where, there is a fail-safe, whereby the engine will shut off, once the brake pedal is pressed or the handbrake released, similar to the run-lock system on Emergency service vehicles.

Hi Declan. Could you run that by me again? Not quite got the gist of what you're saying. I haven't got the app yet, but did you mean you can alter the temperature of what the car is sensing? Aitch

 

[siteguru]

You can alter the HVAC target temperature via the iSmart app. This allows you to pre-heat (or -cool) the car whilst you're away from it so that it's at a comfortable temperature inside when you get to it. Especially useful on winter mornings to clear the screens/windows.

 

[MGDriver]

I'm sure I'll find out for myself at some point over the coming winter, but it's actually illegal to leave a vehicle unattended while the engine is running. ?

Hi Mate, the heater matrix on the MG3 is actually an ev heater matrix, run off the high voltage battery rather than the 12V one,

Also the new HS has iSmart and is able to turn the engine on remotely to warm up the cabin, technically the car is off and locked, however you can remotely turn the heating on which will start the engine

 

[Deleted member 18108]

Hi Declan. Could you run that by me again? Not quite got the gist of what you're saying. I haven't got the app yet, but did you mean you can alter the temperature of what the car is sensing? Aitch

Hi Aitch1,
As per Siteguru and MG4 driver. You can set the desired interior temperature via the App in order to preheat or pre cool the car. You can also preheat the seats and steering wheel. The engine will start for the pre heating but unless someone has the vehicle keys in close proximity, it can't be driven away by some opportunist.

 

[Aitch1]

Hi Aitch1,
As per Siteguru and MG4 driver. You can set the desired interior temperature via the App in order to preheat or pre cool the car. You can also preheat the seats and steering wheel. The engine will start for the pre heating but unless someone has the vehicle keys in close proximity, it can't be driven away by some opportunist.

Got it! Thanks mate. So I just set the temp at, say 26°C, and switch on the heating? Brilliant. aitch

Hi Mate, the heater matrix on the MG3 is actually an ev heater matrix, run off the high voltage battery rather than the 12v one,

Also the new HS has iSmart and is able to turn the engine on remotely to warm up the cabin, technically the car is off and locked, however you can remotely turn the heating on which will start the engine

Good job we've got you lads on hand, thank you. aitch

 

[ChargeMaster]

from what i understand, the app uses the car's main battery for heating and stuff. It's separate from the regular 12V battery, i think. But don't quote me on that, still learning about hybrids myself.

 

[MG Clive]

Hi Mate, the heater matrix on the MG3 is actually an ev heater matrix, run off the high voltage battery rather than the 12v one,

Also the new HS has iSmart and is able to turn the engine on remotely to warm up the cabin, technically the car is off and locked, however you can remotely turn the heating on which will start the engine

That's useful info @MG4Driver, thanks.

 

[Jto]

Hi Mate, the heater matrix on the MG3 is actually an ev heater matrix, run off the high voltage battery rather than the 12V one,

Also the new HS has iSmart and is able to turn the engine on remotely to warm up the cabin, technically the car is off and locked, however you can remotely turn the heating on which will start the engine

Hi
DeclanB said he set the heathing and when switched on the heatnig the engine start which would suggest the car is heated by the engine coolant, I looked at the user manual be no help in there to say how the car is heated.

 

[MGDriver]

Hi
DeclanB said he set the heathing and when switched on the heatnig the engine start which would suggest the car is heated by the engine coolant, I looked at the user manual be no help in there to say how the car is heated.

Hi Mate,

The engine would have turned on most likely due to the battery level being too low to sustain heating for the heater matrix

All the new hybrids coming out including the new MG3 and all new MG ZS Hybrid, as well as the all new HS PHEV are electric driven heater matrixes

 

[Jto]

Hi Mate,

The engine would of turned on most likely due to the battery level being too low to sustain heating for the heater matrix

All the new hybrids coming out including the new MG3 and all new MG ZS Hybrid, as well as the all new HS PHEV are electric driven heater matrixes

You would think after all the talk on here in the last few years they would put in a heat pump like Renault have in some of their cars. I did sit in and look round the new HS but did not as much about the workings, need a win on something to get the HS PHEV.