Photo: Screenshot from YouTube
The popularity of auxiliary heating systems has boomed in 2015, it seems. We've seen such a feature being promoted on the Opel Astra, and now Skoda offers it on compact cars and above.
Perhaps the biggest news of all is that, according to the official statement released this week, the extra heaters can be retro-fitted at dealerships, meaning that if you have an older Yeti, Octavia or Superb, you don't need to miss out.
Everybody knows how much of a challenge the beginning of a winter journey can be, especially with diesel engines that are notorious for their slow warm-up periods. Many drivers joke that their heats only start working once they've reached work. Auxiliary heating provides an effective remedy.
The systems offered by Skoda can be activated using a radio remote control with a range of up to one kilometer or using the corresponding button on the air-conditioning control unit. Particularly convenient: the infotainment system allows you to program when the auxiliary heating should automatically turn on and be switched off. The driver simply sets what temperature they want in the car at a particular date and the car does the rest. How many times have you almost crashed because of visibility problems?
But that's only the beginning of the benefits. For example, you won't have mist on the windows, while the windows do not have to be cleared of ice or the lock defrosted. That saves time and prevents you from catching a cold.
Modern auxiliary heating systems warm not only the interior but also the engine’s cooling circuit. Skoda says that a cold start is as damaging for an engine as driving for approximately 70 kilometers on the motorway. So you may be keeping your beloved 2.0 TDI safe, not to mention the fact that less fuel will be used.
Depending on the model, the systems consume around 0.2 liters of fuel for a 30-minute heating phase. So you do spend a little more money, but it's partially balanced out when driving with a warmed-up engine and you also have benefits in the summer. For example, on an extremely hot day, you could set the air conditioning.
Everybody knows how much of a challenge the beginning of a winter journey can be, especially with diesel engines that are notorious for their slow warm-up periods. Many drivers joke that their heats only start working once they've reached work. Auxiliary heating provides an effective remedy.
The systems offered by Skoda can be activated using a radio remote control with a range of up to one kilometer or using the corresponding button on the air-conditioning control unit. Particularly convenient: the infotainment system allows you to program when the auxiliary heating should automatically turn on and be switched off. The driver simply sets what temperature they want in the car at a particular date and the car does the rest. How many times have you almost crashed because of visibility problems?
But that's only the beginning of the benefits. For example, you won't have mist on the windows, while the windows do not have to be cleared of ice or the lock defrosted. That saves time and prevents you from catching a cold.
Modern auxiliary heating systems warm not only the interior but also the engine’s cooling circuit. Skoda says that a cold start is as damaging for an engine as driving for approximately 70 kilometers on the motorway. So you may be keeping your beloved 2.0 TDI safe, not to mention the fact that less fuel will be used.
Depending on the model, the systems consume around 0.2 liters of fuel for a 30-minute heating phase. So you do spend a little more money, but it's partially balanced out when driving with a warmed-up engine and you also have benefits in the summer. For example, on an extremely hot day, you could set the air conditioning.
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