Start car, lock it and walk away

[L7D4R]

To warm the CX5 up on these cold mornings, is it possible to start the car, get out, lock it and walk away? Can you lock the car while it's warming up in the driveway if you don't have the remote start?

 

[danieljw]

To warm the CX5 up on these cold mornings, is it possible to start the car, get out, lock it and walk away? Can you lock the car while it's warming up in the driveway if you don't have the remote start?

I am going to preface my response by saying there is absolutely no benefit to warming up the car. This does not help the SkyActiv at all. Idling the engine only wastes fuel and you have to do so for a very long time before the blue coolant temperature light turns off. The fastest way to get that blue light to go out, at which point the car starts to push hot air, is to start driving.

If you must, warm it up for 30-60 seconds until the engine drops from high idle—you'll hear it—but otherwise just take it easy on the revs if possible when you first depart. If you're in a very cold climate and routinely starting the car at subzero temps, then get a block heater but this isn't really necessary either in most cases.

In honor of the recently departed, read this.

On to your question:

I am not sure about keyless entry, but in my '14 GT with non-keyless what you're asking is only possible by starting the car, closing the doors and locking with the physical key inside the fob. Not ideal, but I've done it.

And although you did not specifically ask this: yes, once the car is started, it can be driven without the key in proximity.

 

[Beefy]

I am going to preface my response by saying there is absolutely no benefit to warming up the car. This does not help the SkyActiv at all. Idling the engine only wastes fuel and you have to do so for a very long time before the blue coolant temperature light turns off. The fastest way to get that blue light to go out, at which point the car starts to push hot air, is to start driving.

Who gives a crap about the car? When its below -30C and snowing out, I want the seat warmers pre-warmed, and I want the windscreens pre-defrosted. A block heater does nothing here.

 

[L7D4R]

Who gives a crap about the car? When its below -30C and snowing out, I want the seat warmers pre-warmed, and I want the windscreens pre-defrosted. A block heater does nothing here.

^ This

I know the car will be fine, but I want a somewhat warm cabin to hop into and defrosted windows to see out of.

 

[RG_Flyer]

I am going to preface my response by saying there is absolutely no benefit to warming up the car. This does not help the SkyActiv at all. Idling the engine only wastes fuel and you have to do so for a very long time before the blue coolant temperature light turns off. The fastest way to get that blue light to go out, at which point the car starts to push hot air, is to start driving.

If you live in an area with high humidity and cold temps, it is not uncommon to have 1/4" to 1/2" ice on the glass. I don't mind driving a cold car comfort-wise, but you cannot chisel or scrape some ice accumulation. It must be melted, at least partially, with a preheat. So, there can me some benefit to preheating a car.

 

[gregbe]

I have the factory remote starter and its been most helpful this past week. The range is impressive. I'm able to start my car from my work site, a distance of several hundred feet

 

[CXFive]

Yes it can be done. With the fob keys inside your pocket unlock the door. Open the door. With the doors still open, lock the door. Start the car. Close the door. Use the "key" to unlock the door when you're ready to drive .

 

[Bcdad182]

I agree, there is no benefit to warming up past about 30 seconds and the best way to warm up is to drive; however, it usually takes longer than that to clear the windshield and rear/side glass. I prefer to run it until its starting to melt and then scrape as necessary but for no longer than 2-3 minutes. I've known at least two people have their cars stolen while leaving them unlocked and idling to warm them up. I'll try the trick with locking the doors before starting it. Once started, you can't lock the doors (at least on 2013 GS AWD) as it simply unlocks them again if the door is open.