Heated seats, steering wheel and range
Heating the whole cabin means warming all the air inside the car, and the cold glass keeps cooling it down. Heating a seat warms you directly. That's why seat and steering wheel heaters are the most energy-efficient way to stay warm in winter.
Winter settings that save range
- Precondition while plugged in, so the cabin and battery are warm before you leave without using the battery.
- Use seat and steering wheel heaters and set the cabin a couple of degrees lower than usual.
- Use recirculation once the windows are clear, if your car allows, so the system isn't heating cold outside air.
- Turn on Range Mode if your car has it, which limits cabin heating power.
Visibility first
Never let the windscreen mist up to save energy. Clear, warm glass matters more than a few miles of range.
How much difference?
The saving depends on the outside temperature and trip length. On short trips in cold weather, warming the cabin takes a large share of the energy used, so these habits matter most for short winter journeys.