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Our Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV continuous tester now plays in the cold season, all its advantages of splendor. A heated steering wheel, heated seats and an electric heater. So prepared, -10 ° are suddenly fine. But one after anonther.
Cuddly warmth in the Mitsubishi Plug-in Hybrid Outlander
It is now the third winter with the Plug-in Hybrid Outlander and to be honest, there is hardly a better solution for the “freezing family”. The fact that the PHEV also has permanent all-wheel drive, well, that makes the youngsters happy on the way to the sledging routes here in the Spessart. We can now make very good comparisons too pull the pure electric vehicles, also here we have already tested some models. However, 3's hot advantages speak for the plug-in Hybrid Outlander.
Warmly recommended: The plug-in Hybrid Outlander
Advantage 1: Preheating
In winter we preheat the PHEV in. Since we usually always start at the same time, this can be easily solved using the timer. Otherwise we use the WiFi connection to the Outlander to start the heating. When the temperature is below zero, “20 minutes” has proven to be a good value for the duration. Many readers criticize the connection via mobile phone app via WLAN. We also find that a non-stationary solution must be implemented in the next model.
If you consistently preheat your PHEV, you can go on the electric drive at temperatures above freezing without starting the engine. Many readers prefer this and deactivate the PHEV air conditioning (heating) even for short distances. For example, reader Henry S. calls for a pure e-short-distance mode, forcing the PHEV to drive short distances purely on electric power.
We think the idea of “pure EV mode” is good. And we are eagerly waiting for the 2017 model year to test this new function.
Advantage 2: While driving
We perceive 18.5 ° as pleasant in the vehicle in winter. Especially since one is usually dressed warmer and wears stronger shoes. Even 18 ° are completely bearable there. However, we are now leaving the heating on. Even if the engine starts because of it. There are two reasons for this: On the one hand, the electric heater needs up to 5 kW of electricity - the PHEV therefore rightly decides on “mixed operation”, and on the other hand, a deactivated heater and thus a deactivated “air dryer” in the air conditioning circuit increases the humidity in the vehicle. The risk of windows misting up increases. In addition, the right climate in the vehicle is a safety aspect. You could drive in pure electric mode, turn off the heating and open the windows so that the windows don't fog up when wearing gloves and woolen hats. But that contradicts all the rules of driving a car. You should feel comfortable and at ease behind the wheel.
Thanks to heated seats and steering wheel heating, the 18.5 ° in the vehicle are not unpleasant. Cold fingers and a cold butt? Not in the plug-in Hybrid Outlander. This helps your own well-being a lot!
Advantage 3: the air conditioning
An air conditioning system usually works up to a frost limit of around 3-4 °. The air conditioning compressor switches off below this. An “air dryer” belongs to the circuit of an air conditioning system, this extracts moisture from the air and that prevents fogging of the windows in winter, The automatic operation of the air conditioning compressor (above 3-4 °) also maintains the entire system and protects against damage from non-use.
We therefore recommend sensible use of the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV's heating system. And that is the solution of “air conditioning on” and heating system on.
Once in motion, the waste heat from the gasoline engine generates enough heat to support the PHEV's electrical heating. This in turn increases the pure electric range of the battery, because we remember: the auxiliary heater can draw up to 5 kW. The Outlanders PHEV's hybrid system controller has been developed and tested over the years. We therefore assume: The smartest compromise between: “Don't freeze, not too much humidity, enough electric range and care for the gasoline engine” - the Outlander PHEV can find itself in automatic mode with activated air conditioning.
Lower the room temperature to an even more comfortable level, warm the Outlander PHEV and then start your journey relaxed and relaxed. Thanks to heated seats and steering wheel heating, you do not freeze and do not feel uncomfortable!