Woman here needing info about buying device that starts car & heats for winter?

I don't know anything about them and I live in "snow country" NYState. I'd like to have one installed in my son-in-law's new car as he takes my infant granddaughter to daycare daily. What do I need to know about these devices? Who installs them and approximately what should I expect to pay? It'd be nice to have the car warmed up and partially defrosted before putting the baby in the car....and it'll be an early Christmas gift :D. Thanks for any info!

2010-10-20T04:37:24Z

I marked that site...I never knew they were sold there and I have one nearby. (And yes, it's an automatic 4 dr. sedan). I just hope installing it won't cost an arm and a leg.

2010-10-20T04:41:25Z

By heating up the car, I was thinking if when turning off the car a person could leave the defroster turned to "High"....then probably when entering car, switch can be changed to "inside and defroster"?....to set it just on "heat" wouldn't do any good as defroster needs the most work (and unfortunately, no garage at their townhouse--they're saving for a home, though).

2010-10-20T04:43:19Z

...and leg warmers :D
if it was just for adults, we've managed all these years...but for the baby?....grandmas spare no expense! ;)

2010-10-20T04:52:27Z

Thanks for the edit, Skyhawk...that's cheaper than the baby shower was...lol.

2010-10-20T05:15:45Z

Thanks, Pat..that's info I needed to know (where to set the knobs)...how to get the best of both worlds..heating the car and defrosting (some days there's no ice really) but car surely is waaay too frigid in early am. And yes..baby gets bundled-she's such a cutie. Daughter picks up baby but her car will already be heated by that time.

2010-10-20T05:29:51Z

Chris, in this case "man" is "mr. mom" because mom has to be to work before daycare opens. Both sets of g-parents helping to cover the $1000 a month expense (til our retirements work out to take over babysitting).. and so the $200 car remote seems a simple bonus they all could enjoy to make life easier ;).

Pat2010-10-20T04:57:20Z

Favorite Answer

Have the remote start installed and leave the car with the dash knobs in
the desired position for that early morning cold start... I do not recommend
the defrost setting on High as this will not allow the heater core to warm up
very fast due to the high volume of air flowing thru it.. 2nd or 3d speed is
more than sufficient. Be sure the son-in-law covers the babies head when
going out to the car..

friedach2010-10-20T04:36:23Z

A block heater is not for the occupants, it's for the motor-to prevent the coolant from freezing and cracking it. There's just too many GHG's around, and you want to preheat your car for you???? Perhaps you need a heated garage to store it in, because there's not other practical way of doing that, but it is very wasteful.

No Chance Without Bernoulli2010-10-20T04:30:08Z

Remote car starter.

The only requirement is that the car have an automatic transmission.

You can get one installed for as little as $200
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Viper+-+5101+SuperCode+1-Way+Remote+Start+System+%28Basic+Install+Included%29/9347824.p?id=1218089217810&skuId=9347824

EDIT: That $200 covers installation.

Anonymous2010-10-20T04:39:38Z

to save you hundreds of $s your best bet is to buy sum battery heated slippers and a hot water bottle..dont forget those warm winter mittens.

Anonymous2010-10-20T05:19:31Z

it's called a Man, prices vary and all have different Heat ranges!

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