Topic: Feature: Hot features for cold cars

[Autos_Editor]

Some features, such as heated seats and heated windshield washer nozzles, make life a whole lot easier during a cold Canadian winter, but other features, like low front air dams, definitely weren’t designed for Canada, says Senior Editor, Paul Williams.

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[Jevans]

Good article... another item that you could add is the amount of wheel well clearance.  I had a 2004 Subaru Outback which I thought was brilliant for the winter (heated wiper strip, weatherband radio, AWD and standard transmission), but inevitably, the wheel wells would pack up with snow and need to be dug out every other day (even every other hour depending on the type of snow / rain falling at the time).  They would pack up some much that there was absolutely no suspension travel at all. 
Snow/Ice use to also freeze up around the rear drive shaft, so much so that the who car would vibrate if you were on the highway as the ice was spinning on the drive shaft...
I don't know if these issues were particular to Newfoundland because of the amount of snow / rain we used to get, but it does make you wonder how much true cold weather testing is done by some of the manufacturers!

Jason

[tpl]

I have been told by BMW and Audi dealers that block heater use  disturbs the emission control on start up.
As, to the best of my knowledge, emission tests are done at at +20C who cares what the emissions are for the first 2-3 minutes at -20C.

My GTI has hidden wipers but it also can park them right up on the screen by flipping the lever after turning off the engine... problem is remembering to do it.

[blur911]

Good article... another item that you could add is the amount of wheel well clearance.  I had a 2004 Subaru Outback which I thought was brilliant for the winter (heated wiper strip, weatherband radio, AWD and standard transmission), but inevitably, the wheel wells would pack up with snow and need to be dug out every other day (even every other hour depending on the type of snow / rain falling at the time).  They would pack up some much that there was absolutely no suspension travel at all. 
Snow/Ice use to also freeze up around the rear drive shaft, so much so that the who car would vibrate if you were on the highway as the ice was spinning on the drive shaft...
I don't know if these issues were particular to Newfoundland because of the amount of snow / rain we used to get, but it does make you wonder how much true cold weather testing is done by some of the manufacturers!

They should test cars in Newfoundland, we haven't had any winter driveability problems with our Outback.  Of course I'm in Eastern Ontario where we don't get much snow.

[Whofan]

Heated seats, my wife loves it, but me.. for a min or less is OK and that's it.
I agree about the wiper thing, the older impala had then hiding and would be an issue some times.

Block heaters, love them, but it's only recommeded after -18, and we haven't seen that to often here in the GTA and that's not wind shield temp.

The problem /w block heaters, the person has to remember to unplug first before driving away (the wife.....)

But heated this and that... as long as you have a good battery, older cars it would be an issue.

my 2˘ anyway

[Railton]

I'm not a fan of heated seats either, leather or cloth.
I would like more cars to offer th heated staeering wheel though and also the ITO coatings on the windshields for faster ice removal.
Railton

[TopGun]

Doesn't Audi offer a heated wheel Railton?   

[sailor723]

We loved the heated steering wheel feature in the two Maxima's we had. One feature the new MINI has is an electricly heated windshield. I guess it's the same concept as a rear window defroster except the wires are extremely fine and much closer together. I actually didn't even notice until the salesperson pointed it out.

The only point I would disagree with is the comment about the cost of runflat winter tires. I found Dunlop Wintersport 3D's online for around $150 each in a 16" size for this car.

[Railton]

We loved the heated steering wheel feature in the two Maxima's we had. One feature the new MINI has is an electricly heated windshield. I guess it's the same concept as a rear window defroster except the wires are extremely fine and much closer together. I actually didn't even notice until the salesperson pointed it out.

The only point I would disagree with is the comment about the cost of runflat winter tires. I found Dunlop Wintersport 3D's online for around $150 each in a 16" size for this car.

I've not seen this type of windshield before. I'll have to check it out. The ones I was refering to have a thin layer of ITO (Indium Tin Oxide) applied between the layers of glass. Electrical current is applied across the glass and it heats the coating up thereby melting the snow/ice. Ford used this on a the CV and Lincoln models for a number s of years and GM used it on a series of vans back in the 80's where the defrosters could not keep up becuase the windshields were so large.
Railton

[quadzilla]

Love my heated seats, must have going forward. Use them as much as I can, perfect after spending 6-8 hours snowshoeing at -15C and you need to keep that chill out of you on the drive home.

Wheel wells aren't a problem on my GTi with that stupid NA ride height. Something I hope to correct in the spring. I'll take my chances with plowing with the front of the car.

Tires....this is the one thing I have to disagree with. I think tires are one of the cheapest things in owning a car. Most winter tires cost between $600-800 which is peanuts if you amortize it over their life ($800/36 = $22/month). People pay a lot more for fuel than tires, more so in the winter.

[elcee]

A modest 195.00 for a block heater, a modest 150.00 dollars too much for a small heating element and 6 feet pf pwer cord.
I agree that most cars sold in Canada are poorly adapted to our climate. All cars sold here should have adequate windshield wipers and washers for headlights also, proper heater and ventilation system. I am totally against remote starters. Go out and start your car and by the time you have the windows cleared you can drive off and take it easy on gas for few minutes.
The size of tires and whels on most cars today is just a matter of looks and detrimental to good handling in many occasions.

[Richard]

Agree about the block heater.  $195 is dealer installed so it included labour.  If you have a minor amount of mechanical knowhow, you can buy it for $50 and install it yourself.  I have had one, either factory installed (Dodge Caravan, Jeep Grand Cherokee) or self installed (Honda Accord & Odyssey, Subaru Outback, Lexus RX400h) on most of my recent vehicles.  Should come from the factory for Canadian vehicle in my opinion, but as mentioned in the article, I don't see a lot of people using them even when they have them.

I use mine when it gets around 0 celsius, not because the vehicle won't start, but because I want heat faster in the morning (expecially on the 400h (hybrid) which doesn't heat up as fast as a non hybrid).  The wife recently received a 2010 Equinox 6 cylinder as a company car, and the electric plug on it specifically states that it is thermostatically controlled and won't power the heater until it is -18c. 

The heated park area on the windshield for the wipers works quite well.

[Spheric]

I agree that most cars sold in Canada are poorly adapted to our climate.

Certain Pacific Rim manufacturers seem to have a hard time dealing with salt corrosion, as well as paint issues which may or may not be climate related.

[ovr50]

Winter-friendly features are a trade-off for most makers; in that much of the global market for autos doesn't have severe winter weather to deal with. Thus, more wheel well clearance, heated seats and s.wheel only add weight and cost. BMW in the US market, offers a "winter package" as an option, thus those in southern US can pass on including it. This is intelligent marketing IMO. In Canada, the winter package comes std on BMWs. That makes sense also. If all wheel-wells were spacious enough for snow accumulation, performance fans and appearance fans would complain over the huge gaps between the wells & the wheels. They do already for some cars.

I have heated seats (had those plus heated s.wheel on the 535) on the M3, but the front lip is very low, and would plow snow (or hit concrete curb stops!!).

The Canadian market is too small for some makers to add winter-friendly items to their products.

[overtakeyouintheleftlane]

Have a block heater on my car and use it at 0 degrees or below as I want heat quickly. Not hard to remember to unplug it and tie it up under the hood. I wish they designed it better like how VW did with the new TDI's (in the bumper). I refuse to buy a car that doesn't have it as standard equipment. It's Canada and it gets cold. Should be standard.

Heated seats are nice, but as the author mentioned, why would you have to order leather to get it? I don't like leather seats in my car. Heated mirrors are on my must have list on my next car.

[Jaeger]

Heated windshield sounds like a bloody terrific idea to me.

I've had heated seats on my last few cars and wouldn't want to do without them.  They heat up fast and start to get me warm long before the heater does.

Jaeger

[Mozeby]

Have a block heater on my car and use it at 0 degrees or below as I want heat quickly. Not hard to remember to unplug it and tie it up under the hood. I wish they designed it better like how VW did with the new TDI's (in the bumper). I refuse to buy a car that doesn't have it as standard equipment. It's Canada and it gets cold. Should be standard.

Heated seats are nice, but as the author mentioned, why would you have to order leather to get it? I don't like leather seats in my car. Heated mirrors are on my must have list on my next car.

I agree with you about leather seats,  but the problem is most companies force you to get Leather if you go for a higher trim package.  So if you want that high performance model, or stronger engine, you're stuck with leather seats too.  Sucks, because back in the 90's and earlier, you could choose just about every option separately, now everything comes in packages.

[ovr50]

overtake - "I refuse to buy a car that doesn't have it as standard equipment. It's Canada and it gets cold. Should be standard."

You must miss out on some good cars that way!! It's easy to add one in later, and not that pricey either.

The Cdn market is just too small for all makers to put in a block heater, when the majority of their products sell in markets that do not need one. Example, California has more population than all of Canada.

[overtakeyouintheleftlane]

ovr50 - Guess I should re-phrase that, I want it at no charge to me when I buy a new car. Usually the dealer has it already installed as standard equipment or will throw it in anyway to close the sale.

Still though, I don't want to own a car without one, just the same as I won't own a car without winter tires and HID.

[ovr50]

ovr50 - Guess I should re-phrase that, I want it at no charge to me when I buy a new car. Usually the dealer has it already installed as standard equipment or will throw it in anyway to close the sale.

Still though, I don't want to own a car without one, just the same as I won't own a car without winter tires and HID.

Agreed, if you live east of the Rockies as most do. Most dealers will throw it in the sale to make the deal. As to winter tires, agree 100% and even here in the kind of snowless winter we are having, winter tires  are a must IMO.