Cold weather cars.

[qprdude]

The cold weather has arrived, even in sunny Surrey, and some of us are driving our cars for the first time in less than ideal conditions.
I've now found that the DS5 heating system is more or less the equivalent of the Morris Oxford mark 2!
A truly awful set up. The C5 used to be blowing hot air within a half mile or so. I'd be lucky to get a warm trickle coming through the vent by the time I reached Manchester now.
It seems that after a half hour, if you switch off the fan to the windscreen,(cue instant misting), you can achieve a flow which is just enough to ruffle a goose feather from the "face" vents. A/C is on and settings are as high as they go.

Don't ask about the feet vents, as I now have no feeling in my feet anyway, my socks are frozen solid. The temperature gauge reads normal, the vents open and close and the fan can be heard thundering away in the background but heat and distribution are woeful. The car eventually gets warm, but I'm 66 now, and don't have time to waste thawing out!

Next, the dark evenings have brought up the terrible interior lights. None in the rear of the cabin and no rear footwell lights! Ever tried strapping a nipper into a child seat in the dark? Luxury Marque my A***
Style over substance springs instantly to mind.

On a brighter note, by mistake, I've discovered "sport mode" for the auto-box. We have a six way roundabout nearby and it's sometimes difficult to spot a gap big enough to feed in safely, especially with the slight lag in take up with the auto. Heading home the other day, I sat for a while , waiting for a gap, and started fiddling about with the buttons. A slight gap appeared and as usual, (and necessary), I floored the accelerator. Woweeeeee, the difference is astonishing. No lag, just a boy racer sound from the tyres and I was off like a scalded cat!. One of these days, I'll get up early enough to find out what the "frost" button does.

[EDC5]

Does the DS5 not have the electrical resistance heating for when the engine is cold then?

[qprdude]

Obviously not EDC5. Or if it has, it's not working in my one. It's about as much use as a one legged man at an a**e kicking contest.

[GiveMeABreak]

I think you'll find the 'Frost' button is a programme adjusted to icy conditions and traction - it probably provides a smoother gear change to prevent slipping and may even start off in second to prevent possible wheel spin when used in conjunction with the ESP / ASR - I think it's much like the 'Snow Motion' for the Autos on the C5:

DS5 Winter Tyre Testing:


C5 Snow Motion:

[Stickyfinger]

Still waiting for some snow to try my "Snow Motion" setting (if we ever get snow down here that is) , it works in a muddy field however

[EDC5]

Is snow motion the snowflake button near the gear stick? Or is it a special optional extra or something?

[qprdude]

Yes, that's the one EDC5. Only on automatics I think.
At least, I didn't have it on my manual C5 Exclusive

[CitroJim]

I was surprised, after years of rubbish Citroen heaters generally, to find the Saxo has a truly superb heating/demisting system...

And she's good in the snow too

Win, win, win...

[bobins]

Regarding the rather lacklustre ventilation - when was the last time the aircon cabin filter was changed ? It might be a bit blocked !

[qprdude]

Serviced three weeks ago and the citroen guy said it didn't need it so who knows ? I think with the ds5, you have to dismantle most of the glove box for access.

[bobins]

Is snow motion the snowflake button near the gear stick? Or is it a special optional extra or something?

Don't know about the more recent X7, but on mine the Snow Motion is automatically 'activated'. On Auto 'boxes there's also a button you can press.

Snow Mode - own work

[Hell Razor5543]

I wish my C5 had a heater as good as yours, Rick! At the moment the blower isn't working (I believe it is the control module, but I have yet to pop it out), so while the HEATER is generating warmth, there is no way for it to get moving until I am driving (with a couple of windows slightly open) and the vacuum pulls the heat through.

[bobins]

Serviced three weeks ago and the citroen guy said it didn't need it so who knows ? I think with the ds5, you have to dismantle most of the glove box for access.

Hmmmm.... Wonder if the fact that he didn't replace it and that you need to take quite a few bits to pieces to get to it are related ?

[qprdude]

I wish my C5 had a heater as good as yours, Rick! At the moment the blower isn't working (I believe it is the control module, but I have yet to pop it out), so while the HEATER is generating warmth, there is no way for it to get moving until I am driving (with a couple of windows slightly open) and the vacuum pulls the heat through.

Not great at this time of year mate. Hope you can get it fixed before your ear freezes

Bobbins, yes I remember now. A message with two "S" kind of lines appeared as soon as the temperature dropped to a certain level or traction was lost but I think I had a switch as well, on the lower right side by the "maintenance/ tyre pressure fault" switch?

[Hell Razor5543]

Gibbo2286 has sent me a module (I also, before he made the offer, had ordered one), and I will fit it as soon as it arrives. I will sent the old one off to CitroJim for investigation as to whether they are amenable to repair.