Hi,
I have a 2010 Mondeo. I was using google to look for ford forums/fora and found some posts saying that the 2 L diesel that I have has a 600W electric heater, so that when it is cold (like the last few days), it will heat the cabin without having to wait for the engine to warm up. I don't think this is documented anywhere. I would have thought the salesmen could use this as a sales point?
It's not clear to me how and when the heater is activated. The posts (if only I could remember the urls, sorry) suggested that the computer switched the heater on depending on the outside temperature, possibly the cabin temperature, and what was set on the climate control. I wonder if it only switches on if the temperature is set to "HI"?
With the frost recently, I drove to work with he coolant temperature gauge not having moved yet the car was lovely and warm , so it must be working.
However, I also read that the model before mine did not have this heater but had a coolant heater instead, using glow plugs to warm the coolant.
I'm wondering why Ford changed their approach? Is it that the electric heater is cheaper? It's often said car manufacturers go for the cheapest option. Or is it that the cabin heater offered faster heat to the occupants?
It seems to me that the advantage of a coolant heater is that it would warm the engine too and that has to be a good thing. It seems a step backwards that they have removed this.
It was nice being able to use the front heated windscreen but I notice a line down the middle of it. Does this mean one element is broken or is it that the windscreen has a left half and a right half, and this strip is a no-mans-land between the two?
TIA