I think when you're reading stuff online its worth checking when it was posted/written, and maybe even where in the world the author is.
Preconditioning doesn't generally heat the battery unless it's really cold, it just takes the chill off the cabin and can be useful if the windows are ice'd up, if iuts very cold it might heat the battery a little. I'm like a few others, if the car looks icy or very cold I might turn the HVAC on manually when I'm getting ready to go out. By the time I've put my shoes on, found my coat, etc the cabins usually warmed up enough, especially if my wife is with me and she has to debate which shoes and which coat to wear..
It has been noticeably colder the last few nights so I imagine its worse than it would have been even a week ago. I think your best bet is to take it for a hours drive over the weekend if you can and see how things end up.
Preconditioning doesn't generally heat the battery unless it's really cold, it just takes the chill off the cabin and can be useful if the windows are ice'd up, if iuts very cold it might heat the battery a little. I'm like a few others, if the car looks icy or very cold I might turn the HVAC on manually when I'm getting ready to go out. By the time I've put my shoes on, found my coat, etc the cabins usually warmed up enough, especially if my wife is with me and she has to debate which shoes and which coat to wear..
It has been noticeably colder the last few nights so I imagine its worse than it would have been even a week ago. I think your best bet is to take it for a hours drive over the weekend if you can and see how things end up.