Makes you cringe huh?

[Saskwatchian]

Remote starters have their place. -10˚F windchill isn't particularly cold, and when it is really cold some vehicles really should warm up a bit before they move.

My big problem with remote starters is when you really want to use them (-40˚) the vehicle probably won't start anyway without a bit of finesse.

If it's only -20˚C the vehicle will probably be drivable by the time you scrape all your windows.

[bhtooefr]

I wish that systems like the Webasto and Eberspacher/Espar fuel-fired coolant heaters were more common (and lower cost, because $1500 ain't cheap) here in North America.

MUCH less fuel usage than idling the engine, zero engine wear, and they even circulate the coolant and heat the interior in some configurations.

[freebeard]

I've got an Eberspacher out of a 1957 Beetle (minus the lines and fitting on the gas tank). It's hard to get anyone to work on them—liability issues. Want it?

I may still have a Borg-Warner underdash unit for the Type II.

They don't move at swap meets very well.

Edit: Oops. Space heaters, not coolant heaters.

[bhtooefr]

Unfortunately, wrong fuel type for me.

(And, the ones from back then were the ones that got fuel-fired heaters a bad reputation, I thought.)

Oh, and yes, I was talking about coolant heat, not space heat.

[UFO]

It's soo difficult to use a block heater. More effective: easier starting, instant heat, more efficient fuel use.

[Tesla]

Originally Posted by HydroJim

I believe babies are actually more capable of dealing with extreme cold than full grown humans.

Way behind in the sequence,
But you are right, it's all about Brown Adipose Tissue (BAT) or brown fat, plays a major role in thermo regulation, infants and children have heaps and you lose it as you get older, probably more due to attrition (use it or lose it) because we always keep ourselves wrapped up in centrally heated houses and remote start vehicles.