Aux Heater ?

[Guest ScottKirk]

I have just purchased a Galaxy 1.9 Tdi on a 52 plate. I have worked out most of the cars controls but I am still unsure about this aux heater business.

 

Should/does my car have one and is there an easy way to check ?

 

What exactly does it do ?

 

If I do have one does it actually make the car heat up quicker or is it just a boost for the internal cabin temperature ?

 

My handbook only mentions it under the heading of the digital clock (which is not fitted to my car).

 

What is all this mention of an additional exhaust pipe and secondary battery ?

 

Hope I havent asked to many questions.

 

Scott

[johnb80]

Hi Scott,

The conditions are something like less than 11 deg outside, water temp less than 90 deg and engine running it will start up. If you drive a short distance on a cold morning with a cold engine you should hear the roar underneath. If you switch off it makes a jet turbine type of sound. There's lots more in here about it, do a search and you'll find it.

 

Welcome aboard by the way, I've only been on here a few weeks and I've learned shed loads about the Galaxy.

 

Regards - John

[Guest The Doctor]

I thought that the auxillory heater warmed up the rear cabin area and was controlled by temperature and fan speed settings above the passenger front seat. Next to my AC button there's a switch which kicks in this rear heater. Advice in the manual says not to switch on until engine is warm. Am I mistaken by this?

[Guest ScottKirk]

Thanks for the replies - especially fredt. I had already searched and found the thread you mentioned but it still left some questions unanswered.

 

I still can't find a definitive answer as to what it actually does. Still I will search about a bit more and try and find out. Surprised it isnt mentioned in any great detail in the Ford handbook.

 

Scott

[johnb80]

It helps the engine coolant to gain temperature. We're told that the TDi engine is so efficient that it has insufficient waste heat to keep the occupants warm. A few nights ago I did a 60 mile round trip of gentle driving and teh Aux heater was running all the time. Don't confuse the Aux heater with the rear cabin heater or if you have cc fitted with the rear temp, the Aux heater provides heat for all of the Galaxy INCLUDING the engine !!! The part that you refer to in the manual is an option to fire up the heater at a preset time, this will then provide instant warmth before you start the engine, the additional battery is to help with the electrical load of this unit. The aux heater is not simply on or off it has levels of output from 1.5Kw to over 7.0Kw

 

Hope this has made it clearer. You do sometimes get strange looks when you switch off and the turbine like sound is running down, I had some baseball hat clad yougsters with a Nova ask about it I told them it was Jet Turbine assisted to help acceleration, :D the looks on their faces was worth a picture.

 

Regards - JB

[Dave-G]

I COULD be wrong.... but i think it does naff all unless you buy the other bits to make it work. It seems to be one of those value for money NOT things! But if I'm increkt I polergize in advanse. B)

[Dave-G]

I think the absence of any meaningfull advice in the handbook speaks volumes: If it was useable,even as an optional extra(in the uk),it would be detailled in the uk manual. B) It's a secret that they cant tell you about - 'cos if they do they'd af to killya. B) I'm picking up my 02 gal ghia next week @

[johnb80]

I think the difference will be very noticeable, 7Kw of heat is a substantial amount of heat. I have noticed that when the weather is a little warmer so that it doesn't start up I dont get warm air out of the heater before I get to work (2.5 Miles) wheras on the icy mornings when the screen is iced up I do get warm air when I arrive at work.

 

Regards - JB

[Guest ScottKirk]

No you are not being rude - I paid

[johnb80]

On my 53 plate you can't hear the clicking noise at all inside and only very slightly outside. I'm sure Ford have done something to quieten it down from the complaints I've read on here.

 

Regards - JB