AvWuff

When I got my new GLK, one of the things I missed was the remote start I had on my Subaru. On a cold winter day, there's nothing nicer than stepping into a car that's already warm and ready to go.

I ordered this part, made by Directed:
http://www.xpresskit.com/product.aspx?productid=501

I got it from www.12voltsavings.com for $580

It's supposed to be professionally installed, but I had no problem installing it myself, the only difficulty was getting at the CAN bus wire for the KEYLESS-GO, which you don't have to worry about if you don't have KEYLESS-GO.

Once installed, you can remote start your car simply by pressing the Panic button on the remote briefly. Press to start, press again to stop.

By itself, it's nice, but not particularly useful. But the good news is that you can extend it also quite easily. I bought the Viper SmartStart 250 module, which plugs directly into the car. Now, I can remotely start the car with my phone, unlock it, lock it, open the trunk, or GPS track it to see where it is. It's super handy!

I'll let you know how well it works once it actually gets cold for the winter

mflores342

I noticed that you have a GLK 250. I think that a remote start to heat up the vehicle prior to driving is useless for a diesel engine. However, I am not familiar with MB diesels. I had a 2006 VW Jetta TDI a few years back, and the engine will not warm up at idle. The only way to heat up that engine is to drive it. On winter days, it takes longer, almost 20KM drive before it even approaches the ideal engine temperature. Stop and go on cold winter days will cause the engine to cool down. I thank the electric auxiliary heater on the car to keep me warm in the car. If I depended on the engine heat I certainly would have frozen on one winter storm on the 401 when traffic was hardly moving.

Investing in a cover for the front grill for winter is a better investment.

AvWuff

Hmm, I hadn't thought about that, well, I guess we'll see how it goes. Perhaps in this higher-end car, the heater will work quicker even if the engine is idling? We'll see

pnoyworx

cool! I will do this. Thanks for the info, and yes your heater will work instantly since the engine is already warmed up so that is +. When your heater works faster it means you will be able to defrost/fog the glass faster, getting you on your way faster.

AvWuff

If you're planning on installing it yourself, it's relatively straightforward, but you will need the EIS removal tool. I ordered it from Impex, it was $19 (now it is listed as $32) and it came fairly quickly. http://www.worldimpex.com/parts/merc...wr_848888.html

Installation instructions for our cars:
http://www.xpresskit.com/DocumentDow...irmwareid=3130

It's basically plug and play. But if you're not confident, it might be better to hire someone else to do the install.

mflores342

I doubt it. Diesels are known to be thermally efficient, that is why they do produce minimal heat at idle, which is lost to the environment on cold winter months. There has to be a "load" on the engine to heat up. Does the car have a plugin block heater and/or electric auxiliary heater? For liquid cooled cars, the heat for the cabin is actually supplied by the coolant that is heated by the engine. If the engine is still cold, there is no heat source.

AvWuff

Right, I know that. Well, whatever, so it's nice on a hot day then Get the A/C blasting before you step into the car!

420tee

Investing in a cover for the front grill for winter is a better investment.[/QUOTE]

I had a 1958 Volvo 444 that had a canvas window shade in front of the radiator and a chain into the car that you could pull it up or let it down with. Really warmed up in a hurry. Far too simple for today's world. It would take a computer, touch screen, and at least 10 steps to activate it.

vin_de_merc

there is an electric heater, i think 1500watts, that is used to warm the cabin until the vehicle engine is up to temp. it is in the manual, yes i know reading the manual is cheating... thanks for the idea about covering the grill in the winter, i have seen it but did not really think about doing it. does anyone know if there is a grill cover made for the glk 250?

fdny136

installed in my 2014 today its great

snow700r

Just ordered mine today from 12voltsavings, already shows that its shipped!!

Cwdawson

Where is this located in the manual I have not seen it as yet, we get our car soon and if so It would be a great idea...

mikedr

Thanks so much for posting this!!! We're going to be getting a European delivery GLK next year, and this was one feature I was not looking forward to not having, since we have it on our SRX. Now, if only MBUSA would see fit to give us 'mericans ventilated seats . . . .

vin_de_merc

i am not sure where in the manual i read it. but i believe in the controls area, and it said something like an electric heater is used until the engine is warmed. i will look again for the staement in the manual and post the page number if i find it.

AvWuff

So it's winter-ish now, and I've been using the remote start. The air that blows out of the vents after about 3-4 minutes is not what I'd call hot, but it is lukewarm. So I think there is a secondary heater that is used for when the engine is still cold.