-
Want to remove ads? Register an account and login to see fewer ads, and become a Supporting Member to remove almost all ads.
Remote Activation of Front/Rear Defrosters
- Thread starter NJS1207
- Start date
-
- Tags
- Model S User Interface
chris.c
Member
As mgboyes states, this recently came up on the UK TM forum. I received the following email -
The concept we arrived at (mostly mgboyes idea!) would be to either add a "Max Defrost" button to the climate tab OR initiate Max Defrost when you select the temp as HI.
This would turn on front and rear windscreen demisters, and for those with Cold Climate pack, also turn on heated mirrors and wipers.
If you could demonstrate your support for this "Feature Request" here or on the original forum post, I can then reply to Jo showing there is widespread support for this.
From a cold and frosty Scotland
The concept we arrived at (mostly mgboyes idea!) would be to either add a "Max Defrost" button to the climate tab OR initiate Max Defrost when you select the temp as HI.
This would turn on front and rear windscreen demisters, and for those with Cold Climate pack, also turn on heated mirrors and wipers.
If you could demonstrate your support for this "Feature Request" here or on the original forum post, I can then reply to Jo showing there is widespread support for this.
From a cold and frosty Scotland
It seems that when you activate the HVAC systems from the remote app, it always sets the system to "Full Auto" mode and the temp you specify. Up until a couple of firmware revisions ago, this would be retained when you got in to the car and you could see it in this mode... and then have to subsequently change the setting back to what you wanted.
Now, while the system still appears to run as "Full Auto" when remotely activated, the system appears to stash the previous HVAC settings state away in memory, and then restore them when you open the door to get in.
In either case, it doesn't appear that setting the windshield defrost vents before you leave the car will change anything when you remotely activate the HVAC system.
I suggest that adding windshield defrost controls to the mobile app would be the most straightforward solution...
As mgboyes states, this recently came up on the UK TM forum. I received the following email -
The concept we arrived at (mostly mgboyes idea!) would be to either add a "Max Defrost" button to the climate tab OR initiate Max Defrost when you select the temp as HI.
This would turn on front and rear windscreen demisters, and for those with Cold Climate pack, also turn on heated mirrors and wipers.
If you could demonstrate your support for this "Feature Request" here or on the original forum post, I can then reply to Jo showing there is widespread support for this.
From a cold and frosty Scotland
Excellent! I will definitely note my support.
Done.
Last edited:
Forty Creek
Member
One change I have noticed is that the HVAC no longer defaults to Recirculate when the remote is used. Good for winter.
mknox
Well-Known Member
Recirculation is downright dangerous in cold winter conditions due to the extreme fogging you get.
Forty Creek
Member
mknox
Well-Known Member
Yeah, one thing that bugged me all last winter was that using the app to pre-heat the car would put it into full Auto and then leave it there when I set out, regardless of how I had it set when I parked. And Full Auto seemed to go heavy on Recirculate. I'd get a few minutes into my trip and wonder why I was fogging up so badly, then remember to manually turn it to fresh air. Fogging would vanish.
Now it seems to be the way I left it after I come out to the pre-heated car.
Anyone know if it goes to full Auto when activated remotely by the app, then revert to the previous settings, or does it just stay where it was left and simply come on at those settings?
OK, just tested it, and I can now confirm that the settings you leave upon leaving the car are indeed respected by remote activation from the app.
What I've done is: go in the car, activate climate to 20 C and manual flow to windshield. Then simulate I'm leaving the car: lift your ass from the seat and open - close the door, then lock yourself in by pressing once on the key fob (will not work if you've not simulated exit).
Then ask my wife to activate climate from the app and check with my hands over the vent exits that the air is flowing towards the windshield... For a second it doesn't, making me think it first starts on full auto, but then it does, switching to your manual setting.
Not the best option possible, but here is your remote defrost!
What I've done is: go in the car, activate climate to 20 C and manual flow to windshield. Then simulate I'm leaving the car: lift your ass from the seat and open - close the door, then lock yourself in by pressing once on the key fob (will not work if you've not simulated exit).
Then ask my wife to activate climate from the app and check with my hands over the vent exits that the air is flowing towards the windshield... For a second it doesn't, making me think it first starts on full auto, but then it does, switching to your manual setting.
Not the best option possible, but here is your remote defrost!
mknox
Well-Known Member
I also would love more controls when using the app. I tested it out today (8 degrees F) and snowing lightly. It defrosts the windshield OK but the rear window had snow and the wipers were buried in snow.
So if there was a rear defrost control and a heated wiper control that would be great.
So if there was a rear defrost control and a heated wiper control that would be great.
Totally agree.
What I have noticed is that when you heat the cabin long enough (for about 20-30 min) at 20 C at least, the snow/ice on the rear window melts. But of course adding control features on the app for the defrost (both front and rear) would be much better.
santana338
Member
Add me to the list of those supporting defrost activation from the mobile app.
Another thing I would like is the ability to preheat the seat from the mobile app. I know I can preheat the whole car, but there are times that I forget to preheat and only think about it when I am about to head out from the office to the car. It would be nice to just turn on the seat heater so that when I get in and start driving I don't freeze my behind while the car is warming the rest of the way up. That first few minutes before the seat heater kicks on can be a shocker!
Another thing I would like is the ability to preheat the seat from the mobile app. I know I can preheat the whole car, but there are times that I forget to preheat and only think about it when I am about to head out from the office to the car. It would be nice to just turn on the seat heater so that when I get in and start driving I don't freeze my behind while the car is warming the rest of the way up. That first few minutes before the seat heater kicks on can be a shocker!
Lex
Member
Just posted a Tweet and thought this was the best thread to revive to make note of it:
Lex on Twitter
Not at all a "big deal" with the wet snow on there, I could use my hand, but was trying to make a point of how odd it is that I can see my car, and it is connected to 220V but there's no way to activate the defrosters without getting into the car.
Lex on Twitter
Not at all a "big deal" with the wet snow on there, I could use my hand, but was trying to make a point of how odd it is that I can see my car, and it is connected to 220V but there's no way to activate the defrosters without getting into the car.
Cold weather items and defroster are not exposed in the API. So no heated steering wheel, seat warmers, windshield wiper nozzles, or defroster control. However, the status can be read by the API so apps like Dashboard for Tesla can at least tell you the status.
Lex
Member
The question is, why not in the API ?
The steering wheel only takes moments so that's not a big deal (though it would be nice for it to remember the setting to resume when car is "running").
I believe seat warmers have been tested to not be effective to actually heat the cabin... And, they warm up really quickly (3 is usually way too hot for me). So again, no big deal.
But exterior mirrors and rear window defroster just make sense to activate remotely.
My only thought is they don't want more tax on the 12V system, or more warranty battery replacements. Wonder how they deal(t) with this in the Model 3 design...
The steering wheel only takes moments so that's not a big deal (though it would be nice for it to remember the setting to resume when car is "running").
I believe seat warmers have been tested to not be effective to actually heat the cabin... And, they warm up really quickly (3 is usually way too hot for me). So again, no big deal.
But exterior mirrors and rear window defroster just make sense to activate remotely.
My only thought is they don't want more tax on the 12V system, or more warranty battery replacements. Wonder how they deal(t) with this in the Model 3 design...
Similar threads
