Heater in the freezing weather

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Belfastboy

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Driving
Heater blowing warm heat on HI, slight improvement on recirculation mode, but the HI setting is tepid at best, seems then intermittently gives out the heat at the level it should. I was thinking it was due to really cold temp outside, (frozen element) but even after 20 minutes driving with heater on didn't change. Then about an 1 hour in, it seemed to be pumping out what would be expected on HI. Couple of questions;

1. Is there a double or sngle heater element?
2. Is there a sunlight sensor on the dash to impact interior temp control?
3. Anyone know where does the heater element sit?

One thing I've noticed, (2nd year of ownership) is the real impact of the frost on the car without engine heat radiating from the bonnet area, car still frozen after most early morning journey.

What's your experience in the frost? Don't get me wrong, it defrosts the necessary areas within about 5-8 minutes and heated seats are bliss!
 
Do you have it in ECO mode, this restricts the power to the heater, mine takes about 3 mins to see the screen clear and 5 to be completely clear even at -3c. I always drive in normal, as for Sport, I tried it once and it was no different to normal so I just leave it normal.
 
Belfastboy said:
Heater blowing warm heat on HI, slight improvement on recirculation mode, but the HI setting is tepid at best, seems then intermittently gives out the heat at the level it should. I was thinking it was due to really cold temp outside, (frozen element) but even after 20 minutes driving with heater on didn't change. Then about an 1 hour in, it seemed to be pumping out what would be expected on HI. Couple of questions;

1. Is there a double or sngle heater element?
2. Is there a sunlight sensor on the dash to impact interior temp control?
3. Anyone know where does the heater element sit?

One thing I've noticed, (2nd year of ownership) is the real impact of the frost on the car without engine heat radiating from the bonnet area, car still frozen after most early morning journey.

What's your experience in the frost? Don't get me wrong, it defrosts the necessary areas within about 5-8 minutes and heated seats are bliss!
Click to expand...
I've noticed my mk1 ZS EV seems to reset the temperature to middle setting, at startup. When I pre-heat the car, I have to select the screen demist and increase the heater temperature; it doesn't remember it from the previous setting. I also put the air on recirculate and turn on the heated seat. The car does defrost in around 10 minutes, and is nice an toasty when I get in.
 
peterseddon said:
Do you have it in ECO mode, this restricts the power to the heater, mine takes about 3 mins to see the screen clear and 5 to be completely clear even at -3c. I always drive in normal, as for Sport, I tried it once and it was no different to normal so I just leave it normal.
Click to expand...
Great point! Never thought about that, but usually drive it in ECO mode, (makes me feel flush 🤑 on miles, lol) thank you. will check and report back 😎

ZiggyStardud said:
I've noticed my mk1 ZS EV seems to reset the temperature to middle setting, at startup. When I pre-heat the car, I have to select the screen demist and increase the heater temperature; it doesn't remember it from the previous setting. I also put the air on recirculate and turn on the heated seat. The car does defrost in around 10 minutes, and is nice an toasty when I get in.
Click to expand...
Never checked that in fairness. I have the screen display set to °degrees, so it gives me a better idea (saw an online post for it and adjusted the back ground settings) it the only thing the car needs is auto climate control, really miss that. Thanks foe your response
 
Belfastboy said:
Great point! Never thought about that, but usually drive it in ECO mode, (makes me feel flush 🤑 on miles, lol) thank you. will check and report back 😎
Click to expand...
I think, in the winter, the actual saving in Eco, compared to Normal is actually because the "toaster" is not allowed to run at as high of a stage.

So the "only" advantage of driving in eco is you freeze :)
 
Belfastboy said:
Heater blowing warm heat on HI, slight improvement on recirculation mode, but the HI setting is tepid at best, seems then intermittently gives out the heat at the level it should. I was thinking it was due to really cold temp outside, (frozen element) but even after 20 minutes driving with heater on didn't change. Then about an 1 hour in, it seemed to be pumping out what would be expected on HI. Couple of questions;

1. Is there a double or sngle heater element?
2. Is there a sunlight sensor on the dash to impact interior temp control?
3. Anyone know where does the heater element sit?

One thing I've noticed, (2nd year of ownership) is the real impact of the frost on the car without engine heat radiating from the bonnet area, car still frozen after most early morning journey.

What's your experience in the frost? Don't get me wrong, it defrosts the necessary areas within about 5-8 minutes and heated seats are bliss!
Click to expand...
It's thermostatic so will blow hot and ambient. Won't heat the bonnet but that's not a problem, is it?
 
hmadsen said:
I think, in the winter, the actual saving in Eco, compared to Normal is actually because the "toaster" is not allowed to run at as high of a stage.

So the "only" advantage of driving in eco is you freeze :)
Click to expand...
Freeze for a fiver, or just be normal...lol. I actually tried the sport mode last night and the heat response was noticeably hotter... Think I've saved a trip to MG. Thanks Peter for input.

KeithM said:
It's thermostatic so will blow hot and ambient. Won't heat the bonnet but that's not a problem, is it?
Click to expand...
No bonnet heating ain't an issue... Lol, just pointing out how noticeable without the engine heat source under it, the front end really stays frozen. I'd expect this for all EV's.
 
Belfastboy said:
No bonnet heating ain't an issue... Lol, just pointing out how noticeable without the engine heat source under it, the front end really stays frozen. I'd expect this for all EV's.
Click to expand...
The main problem at the front of the car is not the actual bonnet, but the headlamps.

The fancy new LED headlamps have made wonders for consumption, light output and no need to change bulbs, but one thing that is minus is, the old halogen bulbs doubled as lamp heaters.

A few weeks ago i was going on a trip in my Tesla, when i got to the motorway, i though "That's odd, the headlamps are not on", i got barely any illumination of the road ahead of me

Pulled in to a rest area and found a layer of ice 1-2 mm thick.

After i cleared that, light output was as expected.

Hadn't given it much thought, the car was made to warm up 10 minutes before departure so windows were clear and car was nice and toasty, but the headlamps, they will "never" clear themselves.

Bought a spray bottle of de-icer and when i take delivery of the ZS EV i will certainly get one for my wife as well, the difference between the iced up lamps and the cleared lamps were massive.
 
Belfastboy said:
Great point! Never thought about that, but usually drive it in ECO mode, (makes me feel flush 🤑 on miles, lol) thank you. will check and report back 😎
Click to expand...

🧑‍🏫 40 min detention after class for failing to read the instruction manual! 😂

I also always drive in ECO mode but when the cold weather started, noticed my feet were still cold - because I was trying to save all the heat for the windscreen only and get extra range that way (😂 absolutely pointless...) .

The heat output in ECO is half if not even less that what you get when in NORMAL mode ...
 
fred12345 said:
🧑‍🏫 40 min detention after class for failing to read the instruction manual! 😂

I also always drive in ECO mode but when the cold weather started, noticed my feet were still cold - because I was trying to save all the heat for the windscreen only and get extra range that way (😂 absolutely pointless...) .

The heat output in ECO is half if not even less that what you get when in NORMAL mode ...
Click to expand...
Belfastboy said:
The irony of it all is I worked in the motor trade for 21 years, we called it... RTFM, Any ideas on the acronym? Lol...
Click to expand...
One tip put into recirculation.
 
Like everyone else. Drive in normal mode to get heat. Once the car is warm switch back to ECO and use the heated seats. There's not that much power consumed on short journeys. Yes clear the headlights if they're LEDs.
My biggest bugbear in the winter is the charge port freezing shut so we drive with it open till the weather warms above 0°.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Tim Green said:
Re-circulation will increase moisture in the car and thus increase misting of the windscreen. Better to allow fresh air in.
Click to expand...
Not had this if you have
A/C on that take moisture out of the air and fan on 5 or6 also found best to keep on auto with heat set at 20 / 21
It’s a pay of heat the car and use more power or freeze and keep just a small amount of range.
 
A/C takes moisture out of the air that’s why in auto it’s turned on heat only will mist up the windows.
 
deke said:
Like everyone else. Drive in normal mode to get heat. Once the car is warm switch back to ECO and use the heated seats. There's not that much power consumed on short journeys. Yes clear the headlights if they're LEDs.
My biggest big bear in the winter is the charge port freezing shut so we drive with it open till the weather warms above 0°
Click to expand...
Spray the charging port rubber seals and the locking mechanism with silicone grease to prevent it freezing shut.
 

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