Just browsing the current brochure, and I note the Diesel Auxiliary Heater is now an option on Uk Cars. £1000. Bit out of my price range.

Was quoted the equivalent of £2500.00 for retrofitting the Webasto aux heater in my (on order) new UK-spec Yeti

For the benefit of the hard-of-thinking, like me... can we sort out which is which, please...

• I think the auxiliary heater simply provides additional heating for large-bodied cars (or where the main heater isn't going to be up to it in cold climates)

• The PTC heater is an inline air heater that provides "instant on" electrically-heated air to the internal vents

• And then there's an engine pre-heater (like the Webasto at £1k+) - also called a diesel auxiliary heater in the brochure, according to the post above.

If I've followed the thread, the OP was about converting (1) into (3) without all the expense of a dedicated diesel-burner, yes?

For the benefit of the hard-of-thinking, like me... can we sort out which is which, please...

• I think the auxiliary heater simply provides additional heating for large-bodied cars (or where the main heater isn't going to be up to it in cold climates)

• The PTC heater is an inline air heater that provides "instant on" electrically-heated air to the internal vents

• And then there's an engine pre-heater (like the Webasto at £1k+) - also called a diesel auxiliary heater in the brochure, according to the post above.

If I've followed the thread, the OP was about converting (1) into (3) without all the expense of a dedicated diesel-burner, yes?

Most of the car manufacturers with the either original or optional aux heater (1) also provide conversion kits which turn the aux heater into a full pre-heater (3) (or parking heater - just to cofuse more ) The cost of such conversion kit is usually more affordable than a genuine pr-heater.

In my understanding - please correct if mistaken - the so called aux heater is merely an additional heat source in the coolant circulation without the ability to circulate the coolant whereas the pre-heater is an independent unit able to circulate coolant and thus heat both engine and inside of the car even when the engine is not running...

One thing woth mentioning, as a cheaper option for additional heating is also electrical heaters for either coolant or the engile oil sump. The cost is well below types like Webasto...but unfortunately so is the heat output...however they are still a thing to look if you wish to compare cost/effect.

smoke coming out of the middle of the vehicle (thats where they exhaust) and a smell of diesel.

I can vouch for that after having two Tourans. It only works as well when it is really cold < 0C.

When I ordered the Scout I asked the dealer if they could ask the factory if the Aux heater could be fitted, all they could offer was a retro fit. I really didn't feel happy with anyone cutting in to coolant lines after it had been built.

Just an interesting bit of info from my Elegance 140 CR estate.

My 4 year old complained about the cold car the other day so I turned the dial up to red (top temperature).

Blowers changed sound and warmer (not really hot but definite improvement as aircon was still on) air came out - at the same time my idle increased from ~800rpm to ~1000rpm.

Don't know how that helps but the car was built week 22 last year.

Edit: This was a cold start and within 30 seconds of starting and my son is 5 - blame the bleeding flu that's addled my brains for forgetting this bit.

Edited 11 November, 201114 yr by Lemming

Just an interesting bit of info from my Elegance 140 CR estate.

My 4 year old complained about the cold car the other day so I turned the dial up to red (top temperature).

Blowers changed sound and warmer (not really hot but definite improvement as aircon was still on) air came out - at the same time my idle increased from ~800rpm to ~1000rpm.

Don't know how that helps but the car was built week 22 last year.

Edit: This was a cold start and within 30 seconds of starting and my son is 5 - blame the bleeding flu that's addled my brains for forgetting this bit.

If you do not have climate control, you can activate the PTC heater by turning the temp dial to full and making sure that the Econ option (if you have one) is not enabled. If you have climate control, the device is activated automagically depending on temperature as long as the Econ button is off/AC button is on.

The engine revs increase as it is a 1000W heater which is about 80 amperes. Your alternator will not make that much at idle. The element has 2 power settings that are automatically controlled by the module (i.e. high and low) and it will switch between them depending on output temperature and available power from the alternator.

Here in Australia we don't get it and it's not an option :( . I looked at retrofitting in my MKV Jetta but the part 1K0963235E was $910AU (about 680 euros). Not that it gets really cold here in Melbourne but it's hard to demist the windscreen when it's 2 degrees outside and the engine water is cold.

If you do not have climate control, you can activate the PTC heater by turning the temp dial to full and making sure that the Econ option (if you have one) is not enabled. If you have climate control, the device is activated automagically depending on temperature as long as the Econ button is off/AC button is on.

The engine revs increase as it is a 1000W heater which is about 80 amperes. Your alternator will not make that much at idle. The element has 2 power settings that are automatically controlled by the module (i.e. high and low) and it will switch between them depending on output temperature and available power from the alternator.

Here in Australia we don't get it and it's not an option :( . I looked at retrofitting in my MKV Jetta but the part 1K0963235E was $910AU (about 680 euros). Not that it gets really cold here in Melbourne but it's hard to demist the windscreen when it's 2 degrees outside and the engine water is cold.

Thanks for clarifying that. Was surprised as I had no idea that I had the heater on my car but just tried it and can confirm what you said is correct.

Over the moon as I can warm the car for the little one which I hadn't expected with a UK spec car. Had anticipated the usual slow warm up of a diesel.

All the best

Steve