Remote start

[IZB]

I was looking through the user manual and read that it’s possible to enable auto start of the engine to pre-warm the car ( p217) by going into the climate control settings and then selecting ‘preconditioning/ventilation’. I don’t have this option though, would this be a feature for the USA market only do you think? It would be nice to warm the car by starting this from the BMW app on my phone.

[Argyll Andy]

Not saying it’s only for US market but definitely not U.K., it’s illegal to leave the car idling so can use this function unfortunately

[Zforbes]

Not sure about that one Andy. My bro in law could start and warm up his Ford Ranger on an app. Deepest Darkest Lancashire though so might not qualify as UK

https://www.ford.co.uk/technology/connectivity/fordpass

[enuff_zed]

My 1-series has a similar thing where you can set the ventilation to come on and clear the car before you get in, but it doesn't start the engine.
Think it's intended to cool the car a little on very hot days.
Are you sure that isn't what yours has?

[Russ Z4]

Yeah, in the UK, it's a legality thing.

Ventilation yes.
Unoccupied engine start - no - from both security and idling emissions law point.

NOt sure about the Ford - maybe it could be a point of origin thing. Ranger is Michigan built so the law may only apply to cars built in Europe? Not entirely sure. I lost interest in it all when one of my previous BMWs spoke of this remote prepping of your car... and then I found out it was limited to turning the fans on. Which is'nt that useful!

In fact, I may or may not be alone when I say all the remote functionality is a bit... err... useless

[ori]

Remote start requires an additional control module which isn’t available in the uk or Germany. They install it for the USA market.
Legally in UK you can have a car idling on private property. I know Volvo has it on uk cars.

[DevonPaul]

Yeah, in the UK, it's a legality thing.

Ventilation yes.
Unoccupied engine start - no - from both security and idling emissions law point.

A mate visited the other week and proudly showed how he could remote start and warm up his Jag from his phone. Apparently fine as long as it is not on the public highway.

[Russ Z4]

This is true I guess.

In the highway code, its forbidden to leave a running vehicle unattended... so yeah, I guess on your own land, you are free to do as you want.

[Ian J]

In the highway code, its forbidden to leave a running vehicle unattended... so yeah, I guess on your own land, you are free to do as you want.

And complain afterwards when it's stolen

[Zforbes]

The remote start doesn't bypass the security systems on the car and is for a limited time 5 or 10 minutes. You are legally allowed to use it anywhere other than a public highway so on your drive or a carpark it's perfectly legal.

[Russ Z4]

The problem I have with a car running unattended in a car park, is that it's almost an open invitation to any have a go thief to have a stab at breaking in and driving off... after all, the engine is already running.

Even if they don't nick it, theres the risk that it will cause a fair bit of damage.

My grandpa (RIP) had a RR. He used to leave the car locks open. He worked in insurance too. He always said, they are always going to get in... if they take the car, they take the car. If they don't take the car, you may as well leave yourself with a smaller repair bill.

There's some logic in there somewhere!

[DevonPaul]

My grandpa (RIP) had a RR. He used to leave the car locks open. He worked in insurance too. He always said, they are always going to get in... if they take the car, they take the car. If they don't take the car, you may as well leave yourself with a smaller repair bill.

There's some logic in there somewhere!

A while back I noticed the Central locking on the old Toyota (activated by contacts in the the driver's door key mechanism) was unlocking the car, but only locking the driver's door. I mentioned it to the garage when it was next in and he politely pointed out it was noted in the service report every year for the previous 4 years.

[AER86]

In canada we have the option to start a pre ventilation cycle to warm or cool the car, but i dont believe there is an option to start the engine.
Most vehicles in north america have a remote start, i use it alot on my F150 in the winter to warm the engine or on really hot days in the summer to cool the cabin. But a VW i used to own didnt have remote start either, I think i read somewhere its a German law that you cant start the car remotely, so might be a case of whats good for them is good for the rest of europe.

[ori]

Russ Z4, when remote start is installed, it starts the car, but any attempt to open the door or press a pedal without the key immediately shuts it down. The doors remain locked.

[Russ Z4]

Is that before or after they’ve smashed the window or ripped open the roof?