Tough question

[Infra-redBeam]

Why don't overseas manufacturers sell the engine-off heaters in the United States?

The Continental GT and BMW 5 & 7 series are available with these options in Europe. As are others. You can get it on a Cayenne, but its only a 20 minute heater. In Europe it's a 4 hour heater.

My best guess is that we Americans would break it by not doing some sort of required maintainance.

[drakkie]

my guess ould be regulations...

[henk4]

why would you need an engine-off heater in the first place? After getting stuck in the snow? To heat the car before starting it in the morning? We had one in our armoured car in the army 40 years ago, but that needed to work as a mobile command centre, and engine noise could betray it. After that I never felt the urge to have such a feature

[Infra-redBeam]

I believe it would be used for off-road trips in the winter. So you save the gas once you've made it to a remote location. Or if you had to sleep in the car.

[pimento]

It's for poncy people who can't hack being a bit chilly.

[henk4]

Originally Posted by Infra-redBeam

I believe it would be used for off-road trips in the winter. So you save the gas once you've made it to a remote location. Or if you had to sleep in the car.

Where has the energy to come from then in that remote location?

[<AAA-MOD>]

Originally Posted by Infra-redBeam

Why don't overseas manufacturers sell the engine-off heaters in the United States?

The Continental GT and BMW 5 & 7 series are available with these options in Europe. As are others. You can get it on a Cayenne, but its only a 20 minute heater. In Europe it's a 4 hour heater.

My best guess is that we Americans would break it by not doing some sort of required maintainance.

are you referring to a block heater? in NA we only use them for starting a cold engine. i suspect they may not come on those upper range cars because most owners will be parking them in a garage or somewhat heated space. the new engines don't need them much anymore anyways. they weren't intended to assist in warming passengers.

my '89 Volvo had one, and it was never used once. in fact it became a problem when it deteriorated over time and caused a coolant leak one day, resulting in a serious overheating problem. luckily the block wasn't warped beyond machining tolerances (therefore no need for replacement block).

if you're not referring to a block heater then i just went off on a rant regarding block heaters. in case it was of any use.

[Pando]

Originally Posted by pimento

It's for poncy people who can't hack being a bit chilly.

..."being a bit chilly" coming from someone in Australia...

[LotusLocost]

Originally Posted by Pando

..."being a bit chilly" coming from someone in Australia...

same as I thought....

[pimento]

I have had to drive to work in my old mini at 5:30 am with the windows down though, with no heater either. Beanie, trenchcoat, wished I had gloves... but I was fiiine!

[clutch-monkey]

Originally Posted by Pando

..."being a bit chilly" coming from someone in Australia...

what? it gets chilly. sometimes i have to put a jumper on!

[Pando]

Originally Posted by clutch-monkey

what? it gets chilly. sometimes i have to put a jumper on!

I hate you. I remember countless mornings in -20C guessing if my '80 fiesta would start or not, and needing gloves etc just to be able to move my fingers. But was I complaining? No. Actually I like the cold, not year around, but during the winter.

[woodstock827]

my old 190E started in winter no problem ever after a nite outside at below 20C
the 88 Corolla and 92 Camry needed to press the gas pedal a bit when starting but still okay....

my new Hyundai Elantra start no problem anytime anywhere...

so dun really see the need of a block heater... and i'm from canada.. LOL