PHEV preconditioning woes

[johng007]

My pennyworth - I am sure the pre-conditioning in OUTDOOR setting only works for a certain number of days after you have last driven the car. I presume to preserve your starter battery as the car periodically has to wake up to perform checks and it limits this to so many days(I dislike this dependency on starter battery btw and it's disconnect from the hybrid charging). After a number of days, I find the remote pre-conditioning will simply not start. Condition resets after you drive the car again....

[Charlie70]

The availability is down to VOC rather than the precond. mode.

5 days after last start - immediate continuous communication with the car.

Next 17 days - car checks in once per hour so you can still set the timer but you'll have to wait for the car to see it.

After the combined 22 days are over, you'll need to start the car to reactivate VOC.

[Tober]

I have encountered the same issue when trying to activate preconditioning when the car is not connected to the electric supply. It works fine when charging but like others, in the colder weather I tried tried it away from my home charging connection. Nothing - either via key fob or app. I came to this forum to see if others have encountered the same problem and this thread confirms the same. I don't remember the detail of the option being discussed apart from me establishing that preconditioning would be available. I have a first health check due next week do will raise it then. Thanks

[DieselElectric]

On the D6, I've not had any problems with the preconditioning when plugged in but I can only remember one time when it seemed to function unplugged.

On that occasion it was particularly cold ( -5?) and I remember that ours was the only vehicle in car park with windows that weren't encased in frost so I assume it worked. Perhaps the diesel-only-heater mode only functions when it's really cold?

[soldana]

Originally Posted by Tober

I have encountered the same issue when trying to activate preconditioning when the car is not connected to the electric supply. It works fine when charging but like others, in the colder weather I tried tried it away from my home charging connection. Nothing - either via key fob or app. I came to this forum to see if others have encountered the same problem and this thread confirms the same. I don't remember the detail of the option being discussed apart from me establishing that preconditioning would be available. I have a first health check due next week do will raise it then. Thanks

I also have my 3,000 mile "health check" next week and shall be asking the dealer the same question. Have tried untethered preconditioning via VOC half a dozen times and it has never worked. Works every time when plugged in.

[Tober]

The Health check didn't produce a solution in terms of preconditioning without a cable connection, but the dealership is looking into it and will come back to me.
I was also given a lot of help to ensure that my car WiFi/bluetooth was configured in such a way that allowed me to use Send to Car locations and save them to the Navigation System. Thanks to my local dealer for that and for the extra help over the telephone. Much apprexciated

[DieselElectric]

Thanks. I'm curious to hear what they say.

[Tober]

The local dealer got back to me today after the Volvo health check last week. They checked re the preconditioning and apparently the problem comes when it is not on charge as the car does not have a Fuel Operated Heater. I have questioned this with the dealer I purchased the V60 from as I was under the impression that FOH was standard.

This afternoon I am even more confused. I have a message on the dash today which says that Fuel Operated Heater is not operating because of the low fuel level. I have 35 miles to empty. This suggests that I do indeed have a Fuel Operated Heater?

So have gone back for further clarification

[SwissXC90]

Originally Posted by Tober

...which says that Fuel Operated Heater is not operating because of the low fuel level. I have 35 miles to empty. This suggests that I do indeed have a Fuel Operated Heater?

Normally there is a warning label under the fuel cap, and in the engine bay, if a Fuel Operated Heater is fitted.

The label under the fuel filler warns you not to refuel when the Fuel Operated Heater is running.

The label in the engine bay gives you the specs of the Fuel Operated Heater. Mine is 6kW, diesel fueled.

The vehicle software will also tell you when something is wrong, but will only tell you IF you actually have a Fuel Burning Heater physically fitted.

On my XC90 with the CPM (Combustion Preheater Module, the fuel burning heater) I can enable it with a timer for my departure time.

Also, when the fuel in the tank is below something like 25%, it will advise me that it has shut off due to low fuel levels. This is a safety feature to ensure anough fuel remains for driving.

Also, when the heater is running, I can hear the combustion fans running under the left hand front wing, and feel the warm exhaust of the CPM.

The above is true for a 2009 XC90, and I would expect the warning labels remain true for all Volvo vehicles with fuel burning heaters, as the labels are a safety reminder.

[soldana]

Originally Posted by Tober

The local dealer got back to me today after the Volvo health check last week. They checked re the preconditioning and apparently the problem comes when it is not on charge as the car does not have a Fuel Operated Heater. I have questioned this with the dealer I purchased the V60 from as I was under the impression that FOH was standard.

This afternoon I am even more confused. I have a message on the dash today which says that Fuel Operated Heater is not operating because of the low fuel level. I have 35 miles to empty. This suggests that I do indeed have a Fuel Operated Heater?

So have gone back for further clarification

Interestingly, I had the same message today for the first time from my V60. I was down to about 50 miles range, and had no heating at all when running in "pure" mode. I'm therefore pretty sure I must have a fuel heater too.

My 3,000 mile check is tomorrow, we'll see what the dealer says.