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.
Remote start
- Thread starter IZB
- Start date
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 :thumbsdown:
Attleborough, Norfolk
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
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
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!
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!
Russ Z4 said:
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.
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.
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.
That's another advantage of a PHEV or electric vehicle. You can have it in the garage or outside and it will warm up the car to whatever temperature you set it to, put on the heated seat and warm the steering wheel, just tell it what time you want to leave and it will have everything ready. In the summer you may or may not want it cooled at home or if it is in a car park on a really hot day, all from an App on your phone.