Hybrid Heater Performance?

[DryHeat]

Unless the Maverick is setup differently than other hybrids, in cold weather the delay might be a few seconds. When I say cold weather I mean around freezing or below. The ICE will start if it's not up to operating temperature, the Maverick Hybrid is not a plug-in with a big battery. I usually turn on my hybrid and and scrape frost/snow off windows if needed (this can take me 5+ minutes depending on how thick it is). As I noted earlier in this thread I gave up waiting for the engine to do it in a reasonable time, and use a 1500W electric heater that runs off an extension cord to my house, my current vehicle does not have remote start, and I hate wasting that much gas.

I used to get in, turn on the heat, removed snow, scrape ice and wait, but on icy, snowy days it can take 15-30 minutes for the vehicle to de-ice itself, no way I'd run it that long just sitting, not good for the engine.

Ok, putting this together with your other posts, I think you're saying that:

• the ICE starts within a few seconds (in cold weather) whether the cabin heat is on or not
• you've observed that the ICE warms up faster when the cabin heat is not turned on
• the cabin heater just blows cold air anyway until the ICE heats up

Thanks for the explanation. I'll try it out when mine gets here next month.

(FWIW: In my 2013 Jeep the "blows cold air" problem is solved in a different way. The cabin heater won't actually start blowing until the fluid is heated up. It threw me off the first time because I though the fan was broken, then all of a sudden it started up. I'm surprised the Maverick doesn't do that since it's so much newer.)

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[icegradner]

Ok, putting this together with your other posts, I think you're saying that:

• the ICE starts within a few seconds (in cold weather) whether the cabin heat is on or not
• you've observed that the ICE warms up faster when the cabin heat is not turned on
• the cabin heater just blows cold air anyway until the ICE heats up

Thanks for the explanation. I'll try it out when mine gets here next month.

(FWIW: In my 2013 Jeep the "blows cold air" problem is solved in a different way. The cabin heater won't actually start blowing until the fluid is heated up. It threw me off the first time because I though the fan was broken, then all of a sudden it started up. I'm surprised the Maverick doesn't do that since it's so much newer.)

You've got it right. For the first 4-5 minutes there is almost no heat at all. Either the electric heat strip, which my vehicle has in addition to ICE heating, takes a long time to warm up, or they combine to do the job. Either way it's not as fast as my previous gas only vehicles. I don't have my Maverick Hybrid yet, so I cannot say exactly how it behaves in cold weather, just noting how my current hybrid vehicle functions. It uses a similar setup, so I suspect the behavior will be similar.

 

[Loisrose]

Due the Hybrid engine, I have concern with its ability to generate enough heat to warm the cabin. I believe to compensate it picks up additional heat from the exhaust. There may be an electric heating element too - not sure. It’s definitely more complicated than a traditional HVAC heating system. Could someone with a hybrid tell me how they like the heater and if it seems as capable as a traditional gas vehicle at warming the cabin? I ask as I don’t have a build date and could add the lux package if I need heated seats to compensate for body temps/feeling. Any hybrid heater experiences? Hopefully this was worked out on the Escape but it could just never be as good or it could be just fine. I would like to know. FYI, after college I worked for a Major auto manufacturer (not Ford) with R&D test and development for HVAC. I know a bit about the subject but not about a hybrid. My time was in the late 90s.

I've had mine since 12/20 and have the temp set at 68 and it seems to keep the interior comfortable. with outside temps in the 40's when I turn it on.

 

[Davidc83]

These vehicles have a different heater setup. Most Toyota Hybrids have an electric heat strip, in addition to the engine heater. IMO it takes forever to heat up. If I relyed on the built in heater in my Camry Hybrid to defrost the window I'd be waiting 15-20 minutes to drive away. I resorted to using 1500W electric heater plugged into my house to do the job, rather than waste gas.

My Toyota hybrid (prius c) does not have a heat strip. Just a normal heater like non-hybrid cars. My heater is putting out hot air in a couple minutes and defrosts quickly and is very toasty in the cabin on less than 10 miles.

 

[ffoc01]

Hybrids tend to take a long time to warm up, no point in having it on if all it does it blow cold air.

The Mav Hyb has an electric booster heater that comes on when the engine coolant and ambient temps are below a certain level. That booster heater won't turn on if the HVAC is turned off. It won't help the eng heat up any faster, but you'll start getting warm air out of the vents almost immediately, esp if you use the AUTO mode and let the system control the blower speeds.

 

[onetequilatwo]

Thanks all and glad the lux package for at least the XLT and Lariat have heated seats. Also note, one of the video guys, believe Johnny Car Care & Review did a thing on batteries and even suggest to leave the heater off or on low and take advantage of heated seats if you have them.

 

[Bushpilot]

... the cabin heater just blows cold air anyway until the ICE heats up ...
(FWIW: In my 2013 Jeep the "blows cold air" problem is solved in a different way. The cabin heater won't actually start blowing until the fluid is heated up. It threw me off the first time because I though the fan was broken, then all of a sudden it started up. I'm surprised the Maverick doesn't do that since it's so much newer.)

The hybrid Maverick behaves as you described your Jeep, at least it does when the blower is on "auto." (XL trim)

 

[Bushpilot]

My experience, down to the single digits F (so far), is that the heater in the hybrid is reasonably fast, and very effective.

 

[oljackfrost]

Someone mentioned the factory block heater but I don’t know if it’s available for the hybrid. Are Maverick owners interested in a pre-heater? My son has had a side business for 20 years building custom heaters for VW diesels. Diesels are famous for taking a l-o-n-g time to warm up. When I get my Maverick hybrid (scheduled February), he will be seeing if a kit can be engineered. Hopefully it will work out, but he tried to build a kit for the Chevy Cruise diesel and the factory electronics wouldn’t let the unit function properly. If you would like a little pre-information, his website is FrostHeater.com

 

[MakinDoForNow]

Unless the Maverick is setup differently than other hybrids, in cold weather the delay might be a few seconds. When I say cold weather I mean around freezing or below. The ICE will start if it's not up to operating temperature, the Maverick Hybrid is not a plug-in with a big battery. I usually turn on my hybrid and and scrape frost/snow off windows if needed (this can take me 5+ minutes depending on how thick it is). As I noted earlier in this thread I gave up waiting for the engine to do it in a reasonable time, and use a 1500W electric heater that runs off an extension cord to my house, my current vehicle does not have remote start, and I hate wasting that much gas.

I used to get in, turn on the heat, removed snow, scrape ice and wait, but on icy, snowy days it can take 15-30 minutes for the vehicle to de-ice itself, no way I'd run it that long just sitting, not good for the engine.

I normally keep a gallon milk jug and slowly pour COLD water from faucet on windshield ice to melt it (am chicken and too afraid to use hot water = will it crack the glass?).

 

[MakinDoForNow]

Being in Canada there's also the standard block heater if you want pre-warmed coolant.

I am near Austin, Texas and seriously considered adding the block heater here but did not. I feel that it probably would pay for itself in gasoline savings alone in helping to get HVB temperature up to operating temperature sooner. I would consider putting the block heater on a timer.

 

[Darnon]

Someone mentioned the factory block heater but I don’t know if it’s available for the hybrid.

It wasn't in the initial ordering options but both drivetrains can be equipped with a block heater.

 

[toonces]

I’m looking forward to the heated steering wheel as well on my XLT Hybrid; maybe that’s only the lux package.

Heated seats are my go to in my slow warming Impala, but thick gloves in frigid temps are clumsy for turning knobs and pushing buttons.

 

[taralon]

I normally keep a gallon milk jug and slowly pour COLD water from faucet on windshield ice to melt it (am chicken and too afraid to use hot water = will it crack the glass?).

Yes it will break it if you use hot. Even cold water can if the difference is too big.

 

[2517X]

I normally keep a gallon milk jug and slowly pour COLD water from faucet on windshield ice to melt it (am chicken and too afraid to use hot water = will it crack the glass?).

I use hot water or coffee if no hot water available. I have been doing it for years, before I retired I'd leave the motel in the morning with a couple cups of coffee, one for the windshield and one for me. Never a problem.

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