Winter weather

[Bluejeros]

Having just got my first EV, I am interested to know you de-ice in winter? Can't start the engine to warm up with the blower on full. So what is the answer?

 

[Jomarkh]

Hi, you get instant heat from the heater as no engine to warm up just a big battery with an element

 

[Alb]

Think of how long it will take you to warm up sat in front of a fan heater in your living room and you'll get the idea

 

[Kithmo]

2 minutes to defrost and demist, maybe another 2-3 to get the cabin warm, use the heated seats as well, toasty

 

[Deleted member 2439]

Also, these cars suffer from condensation big time- if fact the worst I’ve ever experienced in 44 years of motoring! You would be wise investing in a couple of desiccant bags - which will solve the problem.

 

[VenumX]

Also, these cars suffer from condensation big time- if fact the worst I’ve ever experienced in 44 years of motoring! You would be wise investing in a couple of desiccant bags - which will solve the problem.

I don't know why , but my EHS feels the same way.....if its a rainy day I get fogged up instantly , I have to set the blower to the windscreen and use the demist function. Never had that on my other cars.... Pretty weird

 

[Mark Holmes]

That’s why I bought the clover wind deflectors so that I can have some natural air flow when it’s raining to keep the problem down without needing to use the blowers, air flow and no rain coming in side…perfect

 

[Deleted member 2439]

It’s masking the issue though isn’t it? Another blot in the copy-book …….

 

[Alun26]

Never had this issue with my ZS, I always have the AC on an on air recirc.

 

[Deleted member 2439]

Never had this issue with my ZS, I always have the AC on an on air recirc.

 

[Deleted member 2439]

Never had this issue with my ZS, I always have the AC on an on air recirc.

Lucky you - you must be the only one!

 

[macd2401]

If it's wet or cold outside, the windows steam up...the same as every car I've ever had. Set the venting in the right directions, and it clears fine. Maybe a little bit of heat to speed it up a bit. No big deal.

As said, keeping the glass clean definitely helps.

 

[Aseer]

So even with thick frost a few minutes to thaw and get going, to get the cabin toasty 5-6mins.
The process I use in the winter set the vents to windscreen, blower to fan speed 2, heat max and aircon on.
Once you get moving you can reduce the heat to 2-3 red blocks with select recirculating on, if you feel cold change the vent to blow towards you/feet.
Also it pays to clean the glass in the interior from time to time this will reduce condensation.
The car range will reduce in the winter from 150ish summer to 110-120ish winter, this is ineffective a impact for colder batteries and heater needed to be used continuously.
To help with range you can start the car with charger connected and charging this will then reduce the initial draw from the battery.
I just wish this car can with heated steering wheel it makes such a difference)

 

[Jaygee]

It gets really cold where we are we had temps of -4 and even lower at times in jan this year.
I found the heating system pathetic to be very honest, a sorry excuse for one. What it made up for ‘instant’ heat it lost with the lack of it once you got the blowers going. the elements were just not getting hot enough to keep up with the air flow of the blower.
Defrosting took me a good 10mins on those days, no thanks to the fact that the zs is a moisture trap and condensation forming with the slightest of moisture. The only car that had similar levels was my tvr but then it had a leaky roof. There is no cabin pre heat so clearing the snow and defrosting is just like a conventional ice car.
I would recommend keeping the air con on continuously to keep cabin moisture at its lowest.

 

[Chrispydoc]

I had no issues yesterday..two up, natural ventilation...155 mile trip......not doing any heavy breathing mind you!

I don't know it it makes any difference, but our car normally lives in a very dry, de-humidifed garage.....(but not for the last two days).

 

[Stormgrey]

Having just got my first EV, I am interested to know you de-ice in winter? Can't start the engine to warm up with the blower on full. So what is the answer?

The other half's Renault ZOE ZE40 has a button on the key card, press the button and in the Winter the car heats up for 10 minutes and in the Summer it cools the interior, the car decides which! The MG warms up quickly so start systems running set the temperature then lock the door with the manual key if you don't want to stay with the MG

 

[BarryH]

Also, these cars suffer from condensation big time- if fact the worst I’ve ever experienced in 44 years of motoring! You would be wise investing in a couple of desiccant bags - which will solve the problem.

The AC I've always used all seasons in all my cars with AC. Contrary to what you'll hear everywhere switching on the AC will not kill your range I've done the tests, I've checked the power drain on the ZS's power readout and I've looked at the dashboard's displayed range and switching the AC on or off makes no practical difference. However, turning the HVAC power off does affect the range but you don't want to be driving in winter without any airflow from the fan you'll certainly steam up. So if we accept you'll need to put the fan on and you'll at least turn the cabin heater on for some heat then just turn the AC on and be comfortable and safe and since the AC has a powerful dehumidifying effect you'll be free from condensation and misting up. You'll not be one of those people driving on a rainy day on the motorway with side windows misted and running in condensation and unable to see all around, a danger to both themselves and others and I'm talking ICE drivers here as well as EV drivers.

Also @Bluejeros as a newbie to EV ownership welcome to the community. You'll find your concerns about defrosting are unfounded and in fact one of the big pluses of an EV is not waiting for the engine to warm up before you do. If you're new to EV ownership and in these difficult times with energy companies going to the wall you may be wondering who has the best long-term deal for EV charging. I can recommend Octopus Go and if you want to share a £100 bonus with me 50:50 then please use my referral link
share.octopus.energy/zappy-guppy-175

 

[Bluejeros]

Thanks for your comments. I have had a look at Octopus GO and a week or so ago it looked very good but now it has gone crazy! I am on a fix price with EON so will stay there until April.

 

[Cocijo]

The AC I've always used all seasons in all my cars with AC. Contrary to what you'll hear everywhere switching on the AC will not kill your range I've done the tests, I've checked the power drain on the ZS's power readout and I've looked at the dashboard's displayed range and switching the AC on or off makes no practical difference. However, turning the HVAC power off does affect the range but you don't want to be driving in winter without any airflow from the fan you'll certainly steam up. So if we accept you'll need to put the fan on and you'll at least turn the cabin heater on for some heat then just turn the AC on and be comfortable and safe and since the AC has a powerful dehumidifying effect you'll be free from condensation and misting up. You'll not be one of those people driving on a rainy day on the motorway with side windows misted and running in condensation and unable to see all around, a danger to both themselves and others and I'm talking ICE drivers here as well as EV drivers.

Also @Bluejeros as a newbie to EV ownership welcome to the community. You'll find your concerns about defrosting are unfounded and in fact one of the big pluses of an EV is not waiting for the engine to warm up before you do. If you're new to EV ownership and in these difficult times with energy companies going to the wall you may be wondering who has the best long-term deal for EV charging. I can recommend Octopus Go and if you want to share a £100 bonus with me 50:50 then please use my referral link
share.octopus.energy/zappy-guppy-175

I’m still not convinced that aircon actually works with heating. It cools air on cold but when heat is applied i don’t think there is any aircon. I can’t see any difference in both clearing the windows or drain on the battery with aircon on or off when heat is used. Others i know feel differently.

 

[Kev555]

If the MG5 is prone to steaming up when its raining and you aren't wearing damp or wet clothes in the car, I would be checking for leaks into the car. Other car brands suffer from it but not usually at new. I would check boot area first. Condensation is a classic sign of water ingress.