The times when only one interior heater was included in the car “winter package” have long sunk into oblivion. Manufacturers have learned to make cars that provide their owners and passengers in the cold season with exactly the same comfort as on warm summer days. We decided to remind you which "winter" options you should pay attention to, and collected all the "amenities" in the perfect "winter package" that will be useful to any car owner.
1. Heated rear-view mirrors
Heated side mirrors is one of the most important "winter" options that directly affects traffic safety. In the absence of electric heating, external mirrors will give you a lot of headaches: the mirror elements will have to be manually cleaned of fogging and ice, and the view will be much worse than in similar heated mirrors. Today, this option can be considered mandatory for absolutely any car. It's definitely not worth saving.
2. Heated seats with step adjustment
The regular heating of the front seats and rear sofa is also very pleasant and useful option, available now even in cars of the lowest price segment. If you carry in a car, as a rule, only yourself, your beloved, it will be enough to heat the front seats, and if available big family if possible, it is worth considering the inclusion of rear sofa heating in the package. Pay attention to the convenience of using the option: quality cars heating certainly has several levels of adjustment, but not a key like on / off.
3. Heated steering wheel
If you sometimes have to drive in extreme cold, the electric steering wheel must certainly be present in the car. Thanks to this simple option, you will not need to warm your hands with your breath and wear slippery, uncomfortable gloves. Regular heating of the "steering wheel" is a different level of comfort, which makes no sense to refuse.
4. Electrically heated front and rear windows
If electric heating rear window has long become a mandatory option for all cars without exception, windshield heating is not yet available to everyone. If possible, do not refuse this simple but useful option. It helps to free the windshield from fogging and ice much faster, allows you to spend less winter washer and, ultimately, increases traffic safety in difficult winter conditions.
5. Heated washer jets
Heated washer nozzles also contribute to the cleanliness of the windshield. Isopropyl alcohol, on the basis of which winter windshield washer fluids permitted in Russia are mixed, tends to thicken strongly in the cold, which often leads to the inoperability of the entire glass cleaning system. Nozzle heating is an important option, without which you will have a hard time at temperatures below -20 ° C.
6. System central cleaning headlights
Headlight washers are the prerogative of cars in the middle and higher price segments. In this case, the option is often not very effective. However, with high-quality performance, it will save you from many problems when driving in bad weather in autumn-winter-spring conditions. clean hands and best review, especially in dark time days - not all the advantages of this option.
7. Heated armrests
Buyers of really expensive and comfortable cars sometimes quite exclusive winter options are offered. For example, Mercedes E- and S-classes have heated armrests. Why not! Keep your hands warm!
8. Floor mats
However, there are things that will not interfere with absolutely any car operated in the cold in Russia. These are, for example, rugs that protect the floor from dirt or snow. They greatly facilitate the cleaning of the interior and help keep the car in good condition. perfect condition, protecting, including the body floor. This option is a must-have.
9. Electric drive tailgate
If you're buying a hatchback or station wagon, look out for the tailgate lock. Due to the aerodynamic features of such bodies rear end car will always be in mud or snow. This means that every time you open and close the door, you will dirty own hands. Electric drive will save you from such a problem and help save a lot of nerve cells. Do not be stingy or choose a neat sedan.
10. Remote start/preheater
Importance of the system remote start it is difficult to overestimate in Russia. Thanks to it, you can not spend extra time bringing your vehicle V working condition or freeze in it, waiting for someone to deign to go out of the ventilation ducts warm air. Preheater salon - also a very pleasant and useful option that improves mood in the cold.
11. Heated "glove box"
Cooled "glove box" for most motorists has long become commonplace. But many probably did not even think about the possibility of heating it. If in the heat you may need to cool drinks, then in the cold, on the contrary, warm them up. You should definitely not underestimate this option!
12. High capacity battery
The battery plays a critical role in winter period operation. Many automakers that officially supply cars to Russia already supply their products with a high-capacity battery from the factory. Remember: what more capacity battery life, the more likely you are to start your car during extreme cold weather.
13. Washer level indicator
Washer fluid tends to run out quickly and suddenly in winter, especially if your car has a headlight cleaning system. In order not to get into an unpleasant situation, motorists are forced to carry a supply of “anti-freeze” with them or navigate by the tank indicator. The latter is not on every model. Meanwhile, your safety directly depends on its presence.
14. Full-size "spare" in the trunk
A conventional split system is used at outdoor temperatures ranging from -5° to +43°C. To cool the room in the frosty season when the thermometer marks on the street down to -30 ° C, a low-temperature kit or a winter package is installed in its outdoor unit, which includes several separate components. It solves a number of important technical problems, which will be discussed below.
Without such equipment, it is impossible to start the air conditioner in winter, as this provokes a breakdown of the device in a very short time.
This article will cover the most frequently asked questions regarding this equipment: what is its purpose, how it is arranged, how to install it, is it possible to operate the air conditioner in winter time not only for cold, but also for heating with such protection.
Operation of the air conditioner in winter
Before proceeding to the study of the main topic, it should be immediately stipulated that the use of a protective complex makes it possible only to cool the room in cold weather, while heating is excluded. You should not believe the reviews of users who have installed a winter kit for the air conditioner and claim that they have been successfully heated for more than the first winter. Even if the equipment does not fail immediately, then frequent repairs guaranteed in any case.
A device that ensures the operation of the air conditioning system for heat when low temperatures, simply does not exist, since it is impossible to arrange it purely technically.
The fact is that the working substance in the air conditioner - freon - when circulating along the circuit, absorbs heat and gives off cold, due to which the air is cooled. If this process occurs in cold weather, the heat exchanger of the outdoor unit becomes too large or oversized. To eliminate the problem, a rational solution was found - reducing its size by slowing down the rotation of the fan, which provides a rotation retarder or the so-called variator. It is part of the winter package for the air conditioner and maintains the necessary blowing of the heat exchanger with a fan.
When the heat exchanger, on the contrary, becomes too small or undersized. The solution to this problem has not yet been found, since it is impossible to increase this node purely physically. From this we can conclude that the low-temperature package does not affect the quality of heating in any way and is not able to provide it.
What generally happens when you start the air conditioner in winter for cold / heat, when the thermometer shows below 0 ° C? For normal heat transfer, the phase transition temperature must be 10-15°C lower than the ambient air temperature. If the thermometer shows less than 0 ° C outside, then the evaporation temperature will be minus. This causes freezing of the heat exchanger and a drop in performance, since there is a direct dependence on the evaporation pressure.
There is simply a lack of power for normal evaporation, and freon begins to flow to the compressor suction.
Those who allow the operation of the air conditioner in winter without additional equipment, risk damaging the equipment, since most often when the temperature limits set by the manufacturer are violated, a water hammer occurs, the compressor overheats due to freon getting there and its final breakdown.
Since it is impossible to increase the performance of the air conditioner during heating operation in cold weather with any winter set, it is recommended to use heat pumps with an enlarged heat exchanger to obtain heat.
The device and purpose of the winter package
What is included in the standard winter package installed on the air conditioner? This:
- fan rotation retarder;
- compressor crankcase heating;
- drainage heating.
The first component has several more names that can be found in the instructions for installing a winter kit on an air conditioner or in professional literature: fan speed variator, condensing temperature controller and fan speed retarder.
Its purpose is to change the performance of the outdoor unit fan according to freon pressure and optimize the operation of the air conditioner in a wide range of outdoor temperatures. The fan may then slow down or speed up depending on the electrical power going to its electric motor. The variator consists of:
- fees;
- connecting cable;
- temperature sensor.
The board is compact and is mounted on self-tapping screws in the electronics compartment, where dirt, dust and moisture are excluded. For installation, special mounting holes are provided. It has silicone layer protection and intelligent control. A temperature sensor is required to control the condensing temperature. Regarding its measurements, either the device is turned off or turned on. The colder, the more intense the work. When warming, as a rule, most modern winter kits have an automatic shutdown.
Compressor crankcase heating provides a warm start of the air conditioner. It heats the oil in the crankcase to normalize it. physical properties, thereby providing correct work compressor. If it happens cold start, then the oil foams and fills the cavity of the compressor, after which it breaks down.
In split systems, moisture removal from indoor unit It is made through a drainage hose, which is most often pulled outside. In winter, the condensate freezes very quickly. Drain heating eliminates this problem by heating the outlet tube. Ice does not form on the outlet, and condensate does not flood the room.
Most often, this element cannot self-regulate its work, therefore, a separate switch is provided at the facility so that the user can turn it off when the temperature rises.
Installation and connection of the winter kit
Before proceeding to consider the issue of installing and connecting the winter kit to the air conditioner, it should be noted that it was originally provided for on/off models. In inverter systems, there is no need for a control board, since the variability of changing the fan speed is already included in the control module of the external unit. They require only heating of the drainage and the crankcase of the compressor, that is, the installation is supposed to be in a truncated version. Any installation and commissioning work begins with studying the circuit diagram for connecting the winter kit to the air conditioner, which can be found in several places. For most devices, it is printed on the variator board or placed in the installation instructions for the winter package, which is included with the device itself.
Peculiarities
The circuit diagram cannot be the same for everyone, therefore, in each individual case, use the option recommended for a particular model.
Why is that? There are many nuances here. The fact is that split systems that work only for cold do not have a four-way valve, so the process is simplified. In devices operating in the heat pump mode, this element is present, which somewhat complicates the installation and connection of the kit to the air conditioner. Depending on the number of fan speed modes, installation can occur either in a phase break or in a neutral break. Some fans have a minimum speed mode corresponds to the minimum possible turnover, so installing a fan speed controller may not be practical.
Compressor crankcase heater and rotation controller
So, the installation of the winter kit on the air conditioner begins with the analysis of the outdoor unit housing. First, the module is dismantled, then the protective and top cover and remove the front panel.
First of all, the compressor crankcase heating is fixed. It is put on the lower part of the crankcase so that the oil is heated more efficiently. It is necessary to ensure the availability constant voltage. This will eliminate the possibility of cold start and foaming of the oil. After that, the rotation regulator is connected to open the fan circuit. For start-stop models, this usually requires individual nutrition. It is taken from a separately laid wire.
Also, when connecting the winter kit, it is envisaged to simultaneously turn on the variator with the start of the air conditioning compressor, while it should be possible to restore the previous split system scheme in case of elimination of the modification equipment.
The fan retarder has temperature sensor. It is installed on the condenser coil, located in the middle of 1/3 of the upper part of the heat exchanger in the direction of freon movement. This is where their optimal contact takes place, providing precise definition condensation temperature. The variator itself is installed and powered, focusing on circuit diagram connecting the low-temperature kit to the air conditioner, while it is better to fasten its wires with plastic clamps - this will reduce the load on the terminals.
After connecting the power, the external unit is assembled, ensuring that all elements are securely fastened to their original places. Clamps connect the wires into one knot, trying to fix them so that they do not come into contact with the body of the device and the connecting lines of the two blocks. Be sure to check the performance of the regulator by first starting the air conditioner in cooling mode, and then in heating mode. Readings are taken with a pressure gauge or thermometer.
Drain heating
Then, drainage heating is installed, fixing it with plastic clamps to the drainage hose, and powering it. As a rule, if the external unit of the air conditioner does not have a power terminal, then an additional power cable is laid along with the interconnect cable. If there is a supply terminal, the drainage heating, as well as the compressor crankcase heating, is powered from it.
At the end of the article, an approximate winter kit connection diagram will be given, which is suitable for on / off models. For inverter split systems, the equipment is first diagnosed and only then the installation is carried out according to a suitable scheme. Some manufacturers produce air conditioners compatible with winter sets only the same brand.
After all the installation steps are completed, you can start the air conditioner in operation, but for reliable operation in winter, the external protection of the outdoor unit must also be provided. In a private house, it can be placed in the under-balcony space, and in conditions apartment building the device is hidden under a special canopy that blocks direct access to precipitation.
Before installation, it is necessary to study the product passport with a circuit diagram.
25.01.2018
I'll start with unexpected tips:
Tip one: "Car owner, remember: scammers in car services are waiting for you!".
Tip two: "Car owner! Before preparing your car for winter, stop reading stupid Internet!".
Tip three: "Car owner, this article is just for you, read and remember that any advice can be interpreted in your own way, in relation to your car."
Now that you've read these tips, let's get started...
And I’ll start with examples (but I won’t give specific addresses, why? There are exactly the same examples in your city, the main thing here is “don’t be a sheep on a string and don’t follow where you are led”).
"We offer you such an annual service as a comprehensive preparation of a car for winter. Thanks to this service, you will forget about the many annual problems that arise for any motorist" ...
And further, in order not to slow down, car service specialists recommend immediately buying the so-called "packages". Here, purely according to the comedian Zadornov: "We have a lot of them!"
What are (or can be offered to you) service packages: "Necessary", "Optimal", "Comfortable", "Exclusive". The initial package costs 5,000 rubles, and the latest package costs 25,000 rubles. The prices, frankly, are exorbitant, and they reminded me of advertising on the streets of Moscow (when advertising was allowed and banners hung over the roads): "When buying two apartments in an elite building - a branded cap as a gift!".
And now it's time to figure it out specifically, so let's take it for thought
Package "Optimal":
Washing of the bottom and engine compartment
· Comprehensive anti-corrosion treatment(including treatment with anti-corrosion materials for the bottom, arches and hidden cavities)
Replacing coolant
Prevention brake system(replacement brake fluid, brake system diagnostics)
Diagnosis of wear of wiper blades + replacement (excluding the cost of brushes) + Flushing and adjustment of washer nozzles
Replacing windshield washer fluid with a winter one (including the cost of windshield washer fluid)
· Tire fitting (complex 2 removal/installation+mounting/denontage+balancing – from overboarding)
Running gear diagnostics
Changing the oil to winter (marked W - winter, excluding the cost of oil)
Diagnosis of battery status
Cost - 10,000 rubles.
Have you read it and are you surprised?
The average car owner will say: "Well, you fucking give!".
The owner of a rich car will not even read this article, however, it is not written here for rich people, but for the bulk of car owners, who have now begun to consider not the distance to be driven, but something else: "How much money will it cost?".
What can you completely do without in this "service package"?
If we exclude the re-shoeing of rubber, then only two points can be left: "Change the windshield washer fluid" and ... however, no, only one point is enough, because everything else is like bus stop"on demand".
Washing the bottom and engine compartment?
What for? Have you been riding in impassable mud all summer?
Or in this car service there is such a special device:
Or this high-tech device:
Such a device is not cheap at all, not every car service will purchase it, and if you already bought it, now you need to lure customers and "beat off" the purchase?
"Diagnosis of the wear of the wiper blades."
But what, the car owner has no vision, hands and can’t do it himself?
Firstly, you can notice while driving that "the brushes began to clean worse."
Secondly, after the trip, you can lift the brushes yourself, take a sponge and carefully clean the rubber of the brushes - it helps in most cases.
Thirdly: if in winter you do not clean the ice on the frozen windshield the brushes will last much longer.
And each brush can cost "from 500 rubles."
But why pay someone when you can do everything yourself?
Including, and replace the wiper blades, and not scatter money around and buy just such proposed "winter packages".
Of course, if there are such similar offers, then there will always be a buyer ... why did I write all this: money can and should be spent on servicing your car, but under such conditions:
- First and most important: carry out seasonal work only with a proven auto repairman. And not only " seasonal service", all work must be carried out by a proven and reliable auto repairman, this is the only way to save and extend the life of your car.
- The second condition: trust your "car doctor" - he himself knows what work needs to be done on your car in a certain period of time, especially if you are constantly serviced by him, and he has the entire "medical history" of your car in his computer.
- The third condition: never say specifically, they say, "I urgently need to change this ... this ... and this." Just say what's bothering you, and then trust your auto-diagnostic auto mechanic.
By the way: did the expressions: “your auto repairman”, “your autodoctor” strain you a little?
But you don’t need to strain, you need to strain if you DON’T have such “your” auto specialists. And so I can advise you to look at this page:
The map and addresses are now being filled, and soon it will be possible to learn a lot of useful things from there. And I cannot but agree with the words written there, I especially like the expression about "ultimate truth":
"Legion-Avtodata" represents autodiagnostic and repair specialists who have become judges, the most successful finalists, winners and prize-winners of the regional stages of the Autodiagnostic Olympiad.
The Olympiad, by definition, involves identifying the best diagnosticians in terms of professional knowledge, capable of solving complex problems, but this does not at all cast doubt on the competence of those who remained outside the regional finals - perhaps someone simply did not have enough luck in the proposed format. We hope that they will again take part in the future Olympics.
I would like to repeat - we do not aim to choose "the most the best diagnostician"of the country, claiming to be the ultimate truth. Rather, we just want to help a large group of competent specialists from different regions publicly declare themselves, get to know each other, and, of course, introduce themselves to potential clients."
Why did you bring this card and say so many words? And so that you don’t get such an accidentally overheard conversation in a car service near Moscow, when I changed the tires on my car. A conversation between the master-receiver and the car owner, who came to inspect his car. At first I did not listen, but when the master-receiver began to read out the _second_ page of "faults found", I could not stand it, looked over his shoulder first at the "list of faults" on several sheets, and then looked out the window at the client's car. It was a Toyota RAV4. Pretty fresh, judging by paintwork and body contour. I don’t know for what reasons the client didn’t go to the dealer to be serviced, but what I heard about “loose crackers in the steering rack” … and the like strengthened my thoughts about “a beautiful divorce for money”. Or to put it more simply: "Elementary fraud."
I won’t say the name of this car service near Moscow, maybe it’s a simple accident, I only report the fact of the conversation I heard, and draw your own conclusions.
And the last, as they say "cherry on the cake": "Currently, a lot of new people have come to the segment of providing car services to the population. Most of the newcomers, aimed solely at monetizing their" knowledge "- pay attention to quotes, as a result general level confidence in car services, car owners become discouraged and start looking for normal, that is, competent specialists, see the screen below.
Winter protection is installed OVER* protective mesh radiator, which is installed in the bumper or on the grille OUTSIDE BEFORE THIS. PLEASE do not repeat the mistakes of some of our customers who first installed a winter package and then tried to install this "sandwich" in the car bumper. And of course, then they were indignant at the natural fact that the radiator protection was not installed as it should: without gaps and evenly.
Yes, it seems more convenient and logical, but you CANNOT INSTALL the radiator guard PROPERLY with the already installed winter package.
INSTALLING THE WINTER PACKAGE consists of several simple steps:
- install the radiator guard from the outside into the bumper and/or grille first
- pre-insert the clips into the centering washers
- attach the winter pack to the radiator protection ALREADY INSTALLED in the bumper
- center the winter package so that it fits exactly into the contour from the profile
- holding the winter bag, insert the clip with the center washer into the hole
- press the clip with your finger until it is recessed, as shown in the photo
- similarly install all clips in the winter pack
Note: * - In our photographs, we have schematically shown the installation of the winter package on the radiator guard, which is not installed in the bumper and / or on the radiator grille. The goal is to show in detail the schematics and ease of installation. But as mentioned above, DO NOT DO THIS.
Follow the instructions and your installation will not only take no more than 2 minutes, but it will also bring joy that everything will fall as it should -))) !!! At the end winter season, also within 2 minutes, you can easily remove this plug to use it in subsequent winter periods.
WINTER RADIATOR PROTECTION. BUY
Buy winter protection it is possible for all models of cars presented on the site site. If for your car there is, let's say, only one radiator protection, for example, the lower one, then you can only buy a winter package for it only. If your car has two radiator guards, top and bottom, then you can purchase two winter packages at once or separately.
