MalibuMaxxSS

well If I can warm mine up in 10 minutes from -40, then Im sure 10 minutes will cool it down a bit...

mkaresh

Idling doesn't burn this much fuel, at least not when the engine is warm. Consider that on the highway you'll burn a gallon about every 20-25 minutes. When the engine's cold, though, I suppose it could burn through this much fuel.

MalibuMaxxSS

if it takes 20 minutes to defrost you window something is wrong, at -35 to -45 mine is defrosted in about 4 -5 minutes MAX with 3 inches of snow on it....maybe turn the heat on to defrost and turn the temp UP at night before you leave the car for the night, so when you start it it is blowing HOT on the DEFROST setting.

----On that note I have NEVER, EVER, EVER plugged it in....in 2 years. NEVER.

golfer

GM has been using block heater cords with a thermostatic cutoff switch in the plug end of the cord.
If this thermostat doesn't cutoff power .... the block heater warms the engine too much.
When this happens you could end up with error codes indicating overheating and starting issues.

If the cord end is in the cold wind the thermostatic cutoff may not warm enough to work. Relocating it to an engine bracket or coolant hose will help this thermostat in the cord stay warm and help with better operation.

84j4000

I believe the owners manual says you can extend the first 10 minute time, by pressing the remote sequence again before it times out...but only for another 10 minutes. So, you could keep it running close to 20 minutes if I'm reading that right.

jtpboy

It comes down to personel preference. I have the same issue with my 07 suburban. Since the cold hit here in Madison Wisconsin I have been searching the internet trying to find out if it was possible to extend the run time. I noticed that the new advance remote start system can be programmed to run up to 25 minutes at a time. I'm not real fond of the cell phone sized key fob but am considering it just for the extended run time. As I mentioned it would be my preference to burn the extra gas and suffer the extra engine wear and tear to have my vehicle toasty warm and not to have to remember that I need to restart it after 10 minutes.

I'll be putting a call into my dealer after the holidays to see what they will do for me.

Dan

Ddolph

Hi everyone, first time posting here.
I would love to be able to extend the time on my 07 malibu. I live in Alberta and weeks of -20 with windchills in the -30s and -40s are not uncommon. Even with it plugged in and running through both 10 minute cycles the windows aren't always clear. I can't picture it taking 1 10 minute cycle to clear things as 10 minutes on any command start I have had on any vehicle has ever been enough. Its not snow thats the trouble its the frost that can barely be removed by scrapping. Lost mileage be damned, i have been getting 40 to 45 mpg on the highway which in my mind makes up for the times I have to let it idle for extended periods. Does anyone know for sure if there IS a way to make it run longer?

Randy

Gwampa

Damn y'all!!! That's cold enough to freeze the ***** off a brass monkey! Gotta think GM has a solution to this (like software reflash to make it 20 minutes). Send those R&D guys at GM a bunch of e-mails. And remember Jonsey, take real good care of the wee one so's the Gran's can spoil him or her.

awparran

I have owned my 2006 Malibu LT for 3.5 years now. I live in Calgary, Alberta where the temp this winter has been -20C to -35C several days this and the previous month. Not once have I plugged my car in, in all these years. Even when I was up is Saskatoon where it got down to -50C. The family that I was staying with lived about 40 kilometers south of there. They plugged their late model Mustang in everynight, but preferred to ride with me as by the time we hit the highway, we were peeling clothing off as it was toastie warm. With their Mustang, even with it plugged in, they were lucky if it was luke warm by the time they were half the way to Saskatoon.

During the winter months I use a lighter weight oil than recommended. My only point of contention is that you can only use the remote start twice before trudging out and starting it manually. Bummer. The length of time that it is on has not been an issue as, as stated, the car is nice and warm.

I saw a post earlier that mentioned when sittiing at idle, the MPG goes down. I don't think very many people care about MPG in the winter as with the slick ice and snow covered roads, MPG goes out the door anyway.

Now if someone could come up with a proximitry sensor so that when you start the car remotely and open the door, it does not time out but keeps running as it knows you're going to put the key in.