Defrosting the car

BMW used to offer Thermocall but I don't believe this was offered on the E89. Basically you used the telephone function in the car to tell it to warm the car. I only ever saw someone use it on a Z3 where I live. As said, if you have comfort access you can start the car then walk away with the key in your pocket and it'll still be running. You don't even have to lock the car as it cannot be moved without the key but locking it would always be advised.

Mike has a remote start facility in the GTR, that's really weird hearing a car start with nobody in it or at it.
 
Years ago there was a mains plug in immersion heater system available. It kept the water warm overnight.
In the morning, start the car and turn the heater on. :thumbsup:

Surely there must be members on here from the cold parts of USA and Canada? They will no doubt laugh at -2c :)
 
Or a disco with a heated screen!
Oh and a fuel burning heater that some clever blokes have controlled by mobile phone!
 
Buy a garage.
Buy a heater.
Switch heater on.
Drink cocoa in the garage admiring your Zed.
Get in and drive off.
 
Angie4m said:
BMW used to offer Thermocall but I don't believe this was offered on the E89. Basically you used the telephone function in the car to tell it to warm the car. I only ever saw someone use it on a Z3 where I live. As said, if you have comfort access you can start the car then walk away with the key in your pocket and it'll still be running. You don't even have to lock the car as it cannot be moved without the key but locking it would always be advised.

Mike has a remote start facility in the GTR, that's really weird hearing a car start with nobody in it or at it.
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Angie someone could drive the car I believe but once it was off, you couldn't start it again......this is my opinion as I've heard it been done
 
Stark said:
Angie4m said:
BMW used to offer Thermocall but I don't believe this was offered on the E89. Basically you used the telephone function in the car to tell it to warm the car. I only ever saw someone use it on a Z3 where I live. As said, if you have comfort access you can start the car then walk away with the key in your pocket and it'll still be running. You don't even have to lock the car as it cannot be moved without the key but locking it would always be advised.

Mike has a remote start facility in the GTR, that's really weird hearing a car start with nobody in it or at it.
Click to expand...

Angie someone could drive the car I believe but once it was off, you couldn't start it again......this is my opinion as I've heard it been done
Click to expand...
I'm with you Mr Stark the car will drive as normal without the key but wont start again (something to do with carjacking I think)
Not sure if it locks with key out and engine running though
 
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Streetwize-SWCH300-Heater-Cooler-Defroster/dp/B0042NQWVM/ref=sr_1_1?s=automotive&ie=UTF8&qid=1417007133&sr=1-1&keywords=portable+heater

£16.65
 
Nictrix said:
There is something in the manual about this but not sure if its to heat the car or cool it.
I think it said you have to set a timer for when you want the blowers to come on.
I dont see how it can generate enough heat though without the engine running.
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Im a little bit embarrassed about writing this as I cannot find any info on this.
I read this somewhere but cannot find it again, I am starting to think it wasnt even for the Z4.
 
What Land Rovers have is a hot fluid reservoir which keep the water hot in a thermos style tank, so even when you turn the heater on, hot air comes right out,

My Range Rover Sport had this timer unit on it and you could set it for the morning, to come on
 
metal licker said:
Stark said:
Angie4m said:
BMW used to offer Thermocall but I don't believe this was offered on the E89. Basically you used the telephone function in the car to tell it to warm the car. I only ever saw someone use it on a Z3 where I live. As said, if you have comfort access you can start the car then walk away with the key in your pocket and it'll still be running. You don't even have to lock the car as it cannot be moved without the key but locking it would always be advised.

Mike has a remote start facility in the GTR, that's really weird hearing a car start with nobody in it or at it.
Click to expand...

Angie someone could drive the car I believe but once it was off, you couldn't start it again......this is my opinion as I've heard it been done
Click to expand...
I'm with you Mr Stark the car will drive as normal without the key but wont start again (something to do with carjacking I think)
Not sure if it locks with key out and engine running though
Click to expand...

Well I've tried it and it won't work. Mike took the car out of the space and then got nervous about putting it back, he got out the car with it running, key in pocket, I went to move it and it won't engage drive or nutural or reverse will only sit in park and a lovely big yellow key with a line through it appears on the dash and on the iDrive it advises you that there is no key.

I also left my key in my bag outside the car on Monday night, got out the car, left it runningto check round the space, thought I can get it in a little tighter, left my bag on the ground got back in and boing! Then I had to try and reach the bag to put it on my lap so it would engage again.
 
Found what I was looking for, its called auxiliary heating and can be controlled via an app on your phone to either turn on the heating or cool the car before you get in it.
 
Nictrix said:
Found what I was looking for, its called auxiliary heating and can be controlled via an app on your phone to either turn on the heating or cool the car before you get in it.
Click to expand...

I've seen that on the mainstream models, 3/5 etc but not on the niche cars like the Z sadly. Looks like another reason for a 5/6 series for me next.
 
Stark said:
Angie, you know things we only think we know

You're the cleverest amongst us, thanks for that :thumbsup:
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Not quite :wink:
Just tried it on my manual 35i - Started the Zed as usual then knocked it off as usual and removed the key
Then switched the engine on just using the button (no key) got out of the Zed with the engine running and put the keys in the house
Got back in the car drove off and on the drive with no problems and was able to lock the car with engine running
Switched the engine off with the button and wouldn't start again without key :thumbsup:
 
Ysee I thought you could do that Metal, but had never tried it........now with Angie trying it and it not working for her......I'm not sure hers has comfort access.

Mine used to come up with the key signal but I though it could be driven off like you did.....but once off, that's it
 
Stark said:
Ysee I thought you could do that Metal, but had never tried it........now with Angie trying it and it not working for her......I'm not sure hers has comfort access.

Mine used to come up with the key signal but I though it could be driven off like you did.....but once off, that's it
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Not sure why it didn't work for Angie,could it be a manual /auto thing :?
 
metal licker said:
Stark said:
Ysee I thought you could do that Metal, but had never tried it........now with Angie trying it and it not working for her......I'm not sure hers has comfort access.

Mine used to come up with the key signal but I though it could be driven off like you did.....but once off, that's it
Click to expand...
Not sure why it didn't work for Angie,could it be a manual /auto thing :?
Click to expand...

Must be an Auto thing. You need to engage the shifter to move and no key, no shift. So if you've got a manual box don't do it. If you've got an Auto and comfort then yes it can be left running without the key

And yes mines had comfort access thank you as per the above. Leave my key in my bag. Couldn't start the car without it in the dash if I didn't have comfort access. My key never touches the car
 
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