Are car pre-heaters worth it?

[colonel c]

I posted this on another thread but decided to ask a wider spread of Pistonheads.

I find myself considering a Kenlow pre-heater every winter. But by the time I've finished considering it the winter is over.

Anyone ever fitted one or have experience of them?

http://www.kenlowe.com/pre-heaters/cars/index.html

[m4rk]

To answer the title of thread.... for me yes.... I have factory installed standheizung. This also blows cooler outside air into the car in summer if car has got warm in the sun. Even if I do not switch it on in advance of starting the car up, via timer or remote, if its put on at same time as starting the car the heating is warmer much quicker and the engine up to operating temperature faster.

I cant help you comments about the after market kit though.

[GKP]

Yep they're great. They're essentially a 240volt kettle with a pump. I've used a number of these over the years on zoomy cars and everyday cars (although the design has changed from the ones I've had, the principle is the same) and they really do what they claim. Come down in the morning, flick a switch and go and have breakfast etc. 30 minutes later the car is up to about 85% operating temperature. Instant toasty from the heater and and easier start-up for the whole car.
You have to remember that you've only warmed the coolant though and your oil will still be far below optimum temperature, so it's not a licence to thrash it off the driveway! But overall they are an extremely kind way to wake your engine from its slumber.

[XitUp]

How long, roughly does it take the oil to get up to temp if you've used one of these?

[rash_decision]

How many folk will forget about this being plugged in and drive away in a rush to work with it still plugged in!!??

I never knew these existed and would have considered one if it ran off the car's own electricity supply. My runner for the winter doesn't merit garage space so sits on the Street, so not very practical running out extension leads etc!!

I had a pre-heater in an X5 a few years ago. It ran off the diesel supply. I think it was made by Webasto?? It was an optional extra. I could set it to come on with a timer, or press the button on my remote control and it would run for up to half an hour. It was great on the winter mornings just pressing the button from the living room window, and great on the odd occasion I took it into town on a Saturday night!! No cold taxi queues!!! Lol.

[anonymous-user]

Garage - fan heater under the car directed at sump - time switch (if you have regular habits).

You won't even need to unplug the fan heater before driving off.

[MJK 24]

rash_decision said:

How many folk will forget about this being plugged in and drive away in a rush to work with it still plugged in!!??

I never knew these existed and would have considered one if it ran off the car's own electricity supply. My runner for the winter doesn't merit garage space so sits on the Street, so not very practical running out extension leads etc!!

I had a pre-heater in an X5 a few years ago. It ran off the diesel supply. I think it was made by Webasto?? It was an optional extra. I could set it to come on with a timer, or press the button on my remote control and it would run for up to half an hour. It was great on the winter mornings just pressing the button from the living room window, and great on the odd occasion I took it into town on a Saturday night!! No cold taxi queues!!! Lol.

Our Touareg has a similar set up. Not sure I'd spec it new, but as a freebe secondhand, it's nice to have.

[Stu R]

Webasto = best option ever.

[k-ink]

The Webasto sound great. I'm rather tempted

[Compo_Simmonite]

I've got a Kenlowe HotStart I bought for my old Land Rover and removed when selling. Brilliant piece of kit. In the hall, at bottom of stairs, is a switch that works an outside powerpoint. Get up, come down stairs, switch on Kenlowe, have breakfast and the car is toasty warm when you go outside.
I never drove off with the power lead connected.
Would be an easy job to have a 240v relay that cut out starter circuit when mains attached / warning light on dash.

Paul H

[colonel c]

Thanks for the info guys.

[Kong]

Wow i had never heard of these. My engine never gets up to temperature on my 5 mile commute in winter so this would be great. How much? £££'s

[colonel c]

Kong said:

Wow i had never heard of these. My engine never gets up to temperature on my 5 mile commute in winter so this would be great. How much? £££'s

I think around £250 for a car/4x4 kit.

[William Read]

I have had a new Kenlowe Hotstart installed on my cars since 1990, and can recommend them unreservedly. Starting, particularly in winter, is much improved, but I use my Hotstart all year. Battery life is extended, and fuel consumption is better, and I credit the Hotstart with the reliability of the engines of these cars. Coolant temperature reached normal in about 20 minutes, and oil temperature about 75 degrees Celsius in a 4-5 miles.