The parking heater is one of two subfunctions of the car's heater. The heater is fitted inside the engine compartment.
When this symbol illuminates in the driver display, the parking heater may be active.
Note
When the heater is running, smoke may be emitted from under the front part of the car and a low hum may be heard. A ticking sound from the fuel pump may also be heard from the rear section of the car. This is perfectly normal.
The parking heater starts automatically if the parking climate's preconditioning* is activated and the passenger compartment needs to be heated up.
Depending on factors such as fuel availability, battery level, passenger compartment temperature and ambient temperature, the heater has different running times, but never longer than 30 minutes.
Note
Make sure there is enough fuel in the car's fuel tank if the parking heater needs to be used.
Make sure that there is enough charge in the starter battery if the parking heater needs to be used.
Important
Repeated use of the parking heater combined with short journeys may discharge the battery and impair starting.
If the heater is used on a regular basis, then the car should be driven for the same amount of time that the heater is used in order to ensure that the car's battery is recharged with the same amount of energy as consumed by the parking heater. In cold climates or if the battery is older, a longer mileage may be required to charge the battery.
Warning
Do not use preconditioning if the car is equipped with a heater*:
- In unventilated spaces indoors. Exhaust gases are emitted if the heater starts.
- In locations with combustible or flammable material nearby. Fuel, gas, long grass, sawdust, etc. may ignite.
- When there is a risk that the heater’s exhaust line may be blocked. For example, deep snow under the front part of the car can obstruct the heater’s ventilation.
Remember that the preconditioning can be started by a timer that has been set for a long time in advance.