4.8is Aux heater do I have it?

[dwgwyther]

Hi I have a X5 4.8is Le Mans version, on the OBC menu it has the option for the Aux heater to start and stop it at set times, but I don't know if this is working, as nothing seems to happen, I have since read that a 'remote' is required (I don't have one), is this correct or is it even fitted? How would I know or find out.
Cheers

Darren

[thedweeb]

Hi,
You can set the Aux to run via OBC but it will only put out cool air, as you do need a remote to get heat. You can buy a remote and relay from Maplin which you can fit yourself so that you can get heat on those cold mornings.
dweeb

[dwgwyther]

Hi thanks for the reply do you have a write up how to install it? and what actual parts are required. I take it, it starts the engine yes? (not an issue as its off the road)

Cheers

Darren

[thedweeb]

No it doesn't start the engine it uses a little fuel heater under the bonnet.Thinking about it yours being petrol I'm not sure you will have it. There was a good write up on here only a couple of weeks ago but I've looked and cannot find it . I think it was Sanj but not sure.

have a search around

Dweeb

[thedweeb]

Found it ..look in "how to" in the E53 section and a thread started by monkyfinger.
Cheers

[kena]

[quote=""thedweeb""]Thinking about it yours being petrol I'm not sure you will have it.

Dweeb[/quote]

Mine has it but i also have the remote. Fitted from new on mine,i think

[CondorX5]

I have one - it was a very pricey option on the 4.8is petrol, around £900!!!. If your screen shows the aux ventilation and heating then you have it, I think. And you can activate it without the remote - you can set times for it to come on / off. The remote is around £100 or so from a main dealer. You can also check via a phone call to a main dealer exactly what spec your car has. to keep it in good order.
BMW recommend turning it on at least 5 minutes or so a month even in the warm weather, when its on, apart from the fan noise, there is a little red light next to the right side knob on the nav/ radio screen. Works a treat!

[tractorjacob]

[quote=""CondorX5""]I have one - it was a very pricey option on the 4.8is petrol, around £900!!!. If your screen shows the aux ventilation and heating then you have it, I think. And you can activate it without the remote - you can set times for it to come on / off. The remote is around £100 or so from a main dealer. You can also check via a phone call to a main dealer exactly what spec your car has. to keep it in good order.
BMW recommend turning it on at least 5 minutes or so a month even in the warm weather, when its on, apart from the fan noise, there is a little red light next to the right side knob on the nav/ radio screen. Works a treat![/quote]

Have been following this thread with intrest as I think I have this option myself.
Aux heater comes up on the OBC and I have a funny little exhaust thing under the car.

Very interested in the mod described by monkyfinger, but got a couple of questions:
Am I to assume that the remote has just been lost by a previous owner, or would it not have had one in the first place?
So is it possible to have this option but with out the remote facility?

I guess I really just want to know if the £35 mod described in the how to section is the best way to go or does the car just need the remote from BMW?
Most likley go with the £35 option as its a lot cheaper but would still be interested to know if my car had a remote in the first place as I might be able to find it.

Cheers for any advice!
Confused.com!

[Sanj]

That option is only available if you have the Webasto heater under the hood. Here is what it looks like:



And a close-up:



The pin 1 option does work and you can do it for around that £35 figure. The wiring and LED are the only things that need additional buying cost but nothing to write home about.

The key is to have this little fella under the hood! AND a good battery!

HTHs and appreciate the thought thedweeb! I was close to posting that How To as Monkeyfinger wasn't on the new forum and this is a cracking mod!

[CondorX5]

The remote is a bit bigger than the keyfob, with a little aerial thingy on the top left - if your 4.8 has the aux heating, it would have had the remote, but they are easily lost and dealers are notoriously bad at "forgetting" to give them to you when you buy a car with it.....I find the remote very handy but I'm sure its not essential for the heater to work - I've played about with mine just on the timer settings. I've not worked out though, how the petrol 4.8 aux heater actually works - I thought the diesel webastos drew a tiny bit of diesel from the 3.0D Xes they are usually fitted to, but HTH do they work on a petrol car? What fuel do they use?

[tractorjacob]

[quote=""Sanj""]That option is only available if you have the Webasto heater under the hood. Here is what it looks like:


[/quote]

Nice one! I have one of those, wondered what that was!

[d8ean]

i've played with this is the past on cold nights and mornings, but what does it actually do? start blowing warm air into the car? or just make the heaters work hot as soon as you get in the car? be interested to know... as it didnt seem to do anything, and i set it to come on a hour before i normally get in the car

TIa

[thedweeb]

I think its for making the heaters blow warm air from start up and also helps with diesel preheat ( I think). However like you i've messed about with the on and off times on the OBC and nothing seems to happen other than cold air coming out of the vents. I believe that if you're supplied with a remote control when you buy the car from BMW you can activate it so that it blows warm air into the cabin thus clearing your windowscreen.
dweeb