Warming Up for Morning Drive

[MackWang]

OK, one thing - I am not concerned with efficiency on this issue. Having said that, what is the fastest way to warm up the car in the morning for a comfortable drive? Normal climate control really takes a long time. Do I just crank the heat to 86 or maybe put it in defrost to get from 17 degrees to a comfortable temp?

 

[ColonelBadger]

Interesting, do you have a 2025 model with heat pump? My 2024 will heat the cabin to a nice toasty temp within 5-10 min.

 

[SBD1500]

I usually set temperature to 68-70 degrees and give it about 10 mins. Im in Seattle, WA area.

 

[Amster]

I don't have to warm it up from that cold a temperature. But when it's chilly here, the thing that makes the quickest difference is the seat heater and the steering wheel heater. Turning those on makes it reasonably warm until the heat catches up. I have noticed that the air doesn't feel really warm unless I set it to at least the high 70s. And I turn the fan up rather than doing the automatic setting.

 

[Halodde]

Defrost is fastest but takes a lot of battery

 

[MackWang]

Interesting, do you have a 2025 model with heat pump? My 2024 will heat the cabin to a nice toasty temp within 5-10 min.

Yes, I'm 2025. Mind you, I'm trying to heat up from 17 degrees, but I just watch the ambient temp on my phone slooooooowly inch up.

What settings do you use?

 

[MackWang]

Then I shall hit defrost.

Alas, I don't think I have a heated steering wheel.

 

[Justmurr]

Yeah, I have found that defrost is the way to go for the cold mornings, no more than 5 or so mins to be ready for humans.
Now….getting the car to wake up with the app, so that I can set it to defrost, that is a different kind of game to play each morning.

 

[illopp00]

In the app you can turn on the steering heat and seat heater at level 2. I can only sit on the heated seat for like 10 mins before it gets too hot, so if you sat in the car at sub 20 DEG F weather with a jacket on you would get pretty comfortable quickly without waiting for the cabin temp to reach the setpoint.

 

[newlucidguy]

In the app you can turn on the steering heat and seat heater at level 2. I can only sit on the heated seat for like 10 mins before it gets too hot, so if you sat in the car at sub 20 DEG F weather with a jacket on you would get pretty comfortable quickly without waiting for the cabin temp to reach the setpoint.

IF you have an iphone. For us Android users, not yet! hopefully soon

 

[ColonelBadger]

Yes, I'm 2025. Mind you, I'm trying to heat up from 17 degrees, but I just watch the ambient temp on my phone slooooooowly inch up.

What settings do you use?

Temp is set to 73. I’ve left my car out all day in low 20’s and then set the heat on about 10min before I leave and the car is nice and warm by the time I get in it.

 

[timpossible]

Wish there was a way to schedule the defrost to turn at a certain time. I always forget until I get in the car and realize I can't see through the windshield.

 

[ColonelBadger]

Wish there was a way to schedule the defrost to turn at a certain time. I always forget until I get in the car and realize I can't see through the windshield.

If you have an iPhone you may be able to do it with a shortcut with the app

 

[borski]

You can do all this (and more!) with Home Assistant. Just sayin’

You could even hook it up to your calendar and automatically start defrosting when you’re gonna drive somewhere!

 

[californiaboy935]

Then I shall hit defrost.

Alas, I don't think I have a heated steering wheel.

OMG it is worth the upgrade. I wish it had a cooling steering wheel… but the heat is glorious when needed.

 

[Amster]

OMG it is worth the upgrade. I wish it had a cooling steering wheel… but the heat is glorious when needed.

That would be a great thing in the summer!