T6.1 Auxiliary Heater - help needed please!

[Stu@rt]

Great to hear as your kids get older it only gets better, for me there is no better vehicle its like driving a Swiss Army knife lol

I love that analogy !

 

[Jenny H]

I love that analogy !

Have you made any momentous decisions yet Stuart ?!

 

[Stu@rt]

Have you made any momentous decisions yet Stuart ?!

I wish i had some news to share, sadly not! But obviously still very much lurking on here, so keener than ever.
I just need to get brave enough to pull the trigger and park all the doubts and concerns. Can I ask if you have a build week allocated? Has it been pushed back at all?

 

[Jenny H]

I wish i had some news to share, sadly not! But obviously still very much lurking on here, so keener than ever.
I just need to get brave enough to pull the trigger and park all the doubts and concerns. Can I ask if you have a build week allocated? Has it been pushed back at all?

Oh thats a shame but you will know when youre ready !
It has changed twice - few weeks ago I was given provisional build date week 11, then checked at the weekend & was giving provisional week 3 - 18th Jan which would mean delivery possibly end of March/April - tbh Im in no hurry to get my hands on it & happy to wait as I have a lot to resolve before I can be foot loose & fancy free but its buoying me up during bleak times & allowing me to save more - I might even opt out of my VW finance deal & go for bank loan if their rates change from 3.3% - obviously the import duty is still undecided so its a waiting game all round but then isnt life in general !

 

[T6LB]

I sold my 204 T6 to a good friend he had it one week and ordered a new T6.1, he loved it so much he has been told that he will have it in March, VW finance are still offering great finance rates and a £1000 contribution

 

[T6LB]

Aux Heater update
i have now set all heat settings to 10, this has defiantly helped when i leave my VW for a 15 minuets to a hour while i go to a meeting or shopping etc, now the weather is getting colder coming back to a warm van is great. The only thing that i would like to improve is when I click the heat button on the remote control the van is always cold when i open the door even when its been on for 45 mins, really scratching my head with this one as the heater vent even feels cool

 

[Soton Campers]

Aux Heater update
i have now set all heat settings to 10, this has defiantly helped when i leave my VW for a 15 minuets to a hour while i go to a meeting or shopping etc, now the weather is getting colder coming back to a warm van is great. The only thing that i would like to improve is when I click the heat button on the remote control the van is always cold when i open the door even when its been on for 45 mins, really scratching my head with this one as the heater vent even feels cool

There are two different temperature settings. One is for Heat Continuously the other is for Heat Immediately. When you press the keyfob it activates what settings you have in place for Heat Immediately, so check those out.

 

[toeknee]

There are two different temperature settings. One is for Heat Continuously the other is for Heat Immediately. When you press the keyfob it activates what settings you have in place for Heat Immediately, so check those out.

which settings are used for the time/duration activated heating?

 

[toeknee]

OK - i think i finally understand these settings - or at least how i use them.

Heat Immediately - this is your 'quickly get the van hot as a one off' option. You kick it off via the control panel or via the remote fob. It heats to whatever level is set in the Settings. Once it gets to that heat it switches off and will not resume. You use the fob in the morning 10 minutes before you head out, while eating your smoked salmon and scrambled egg. When you get in the van warm and the windscreen is cleared. Its not for maintaining heat - just for getting hot as a one off. It makes sense to work this way because it is activated via the fob. You wouldn't want to accidentally activate it and then its running down your diesel all day unawares. Do not use this when going to bed at night. As once the temp it reached it just switches off and you'll wake up cold in the night.

Heat continuously - unlike the other option this is activated ONLY via the control panel and you always have to specify the heat level when you activate. This will continuously maintain that temp. Switching itself on and off as the thermostat detects the desired temp. This is for when you are in the van - camping and sleeping. it will maintain a nice steady heat for you.

The manual is terrible at describing these two options. It's taken me a week to work out whats going on.

 

[CaliGE]

I have no problems at all with my 6.1 heater, I do not use the heat immediately function.

 

[rhcpu2]

You can't control the heater from the we connect app. I also have all the perks but this is not possible even though brochures seems to indicate that you can... I also had posted before about this: https://vwcaliforniaclub.com/threads/auxiliary-heating-vs-we-connect-app.34461/#post-441311

I have asked different garages about it and it seems that this heating option is only there for cars that have the heating system running from the motor and not from the auxiliary heating like in California... It basically turns the main engine before you reach the car and it will warm it up.

 

[Paul Syme]

Hi all,

I have just taken delivery of my T6.1 4 motion and have read the instruction book on the heater and watched various videos on you tube. I have it set to the correct mode but its not performing As it should (i have had the T6 prior so i know What heat it can kick out) I have even put the blower on maximum it blows for a few minutes then cuts out.
Has any one had this problem ?????

I have a 6.1 and initially had the same problem. This resolved by using the key activation of immediate heating. This started to work and then the continuous mode worked. I think this is because the heater was new and unused. When started a few times it seems to work. Hope this works for you

 

[Javoland]

He doesn't cover the differences between "Heat Continuously" and "Heat Immediately" in the video sadly.

Hi there, I own a t6.1 California Beach, and from my experience I can tell the difference is "heat immediately" stays on for 30-40 minutes and then stops. I guess its just for when you want a quick boost of hot air to raise the temperature in the van like for example when you come back after a day out and its cold inside.

While heat continuously keeps working on all the time with the thermostat switching on-off when temperature is reached (I think its something between 20/21 degrees)

 

[toeknee]

Hi there, I own a t6.1 California Beach, and from my experience I can tell the difference is "heat immediately" stays on for 30-40 minutes and then stops. I guess its just for when you want a quick boost of hot air to raise the temperature in the van like for example when you come back after a day out and its cold inside.

While heat continuously keeps working on all the time with the thermostat switching on-off when temperature is reached (I think its something between 20/21 degrees)

Yes. This is exactly how I understand it to work

 

[T6LB]

OK - i think i finally understand these settings - or at least how i use them.

Heat Immediately - this is your 'quickly get the van hot as a one off' option. You kick it off via the control panel or via the remote fob. It heats to whatever level is set in the Settings. Once it gets to that heat it switches off and will not resume. You use the fob in the morning 10 minutes before you head out, while eating your smoked salmon and scrambled egg. When you get in the van warm and the windscreen is cleared. Its not for maintaining heat - just for getting hot as a one off. It makes sense to work this way because it is activated via the fob. You wouldn't want to accidentally activate it and then its running down your diesel all day unawares. Do not use this when going to bed at night. As once the temp it reached it just switches off and you'll wake up cold in the night.

Heat continuously - unlike the other option this is activated ONLY via the control panel and you always have to specify the heat level when you activate. This will continuously maintain that temp. Switching itself on and off as the thermostat detects the desired temp. This is for when you are in the van - camping and sleeping. it will maintain a nice steady heat for you.

The manual is terrible at describing these two options. It's taken me a week to work out whats going on.

Thanks for this Hallelujah

 

[Visio 3000]

I love my T6 better than anything else and even more than the Belgian beers..... and this says a lot!!! LOL

 

[GrumpyGranddad]

I have just checked and I cannot find the ability to operate the heater either via the WeConnect app or the web based version.

So have it confirmed from the We Connect team. Unfortunately I can’t operate the Aux Heater from the App. (Suspect this is the case for some of the other nice to have functions too). A bit disappointing because the Cali is definitely a vehicle that this would be very useful on. See below:-

Thank you for contacting Volkswagen Digital Services.
We would like to inform you that you are already subscribed to the We Connect Plus online services, as the first 3 years are offered for free (in your case until 06/11/2023).
When the services are near expiry, you will be reminded so you may choose whether you wish to renew them for a one or two year period.
However, your vehicle does not support the “Online Auxiliary Heater” function.
The above is not a license related issue but a vehicle configuration matter and the function cannot be retrofitted.
The We Connect app adapts its interface to the functions that the registered vehicle can support.
We thank you for your understanding and wish you always pleasant journeys with your Volkswagen California.
Yours faithfully,
Your Digital Service Team

 

[Ray Jordan]

Hi all...
You definitely cannot operate the heater from We Connect Plus . (only switch on and off from last saved setting on the Heater remote key fob)

I must admit that I am a little disappointed with the We Connect app.. It could be a lot better I feel, function wise. It would have been really great if all the functions on the Control Panel could be reflected in the App for instance.

You cannot Lock or Unlock the Cali from WeConnect Plus.
WeConnect Plus will tell you if the doors are locked or unlocked (I guess that's what VW mean by "Manage")

You can get receive a notification (as long as this is set from the app on your phone) to tell you that the vehicle alarm has gone off and the notification will distinguish if the alarm was caused by a trailer or light board being unplugged.

You can receive a notification that your Cali has moved out of "pre configured by you" areas.

You can also set up a speed alert to notify you if your Cali has exceeded a set speed - quite why you will want that I don't know. Maybe useful if you hire the Cali out.



You can activate (pulse) the Horn and/or (flash) the lights if you want??!!? from the WeConnect Plus app. Presumably to find where you parked your Cali if you need to (or maybe frighten somebody off)

The Discover Pro has a software SIM built in which is used by the SOS system, servicing and map updates etc
To enable Internet Radio, media streaming and the Wi-Fi hotspot (use your Cali as a stand alone WiFi hotspot) you have to purchase an additional data plan from VW's chosen provider CUBIC TELECOM.

Instead of a VW data plan, you can create your own Internet connection via “Personal/mobile hotspot” on your Internet-ready end device i.e. tether your mobile device using its own data plan.

 

[GrumpyGranddad]

Hi all...
You definitely cannot operate the heater from We Connect Plus . (only switch on and off from last saved setting on the Heater remote key fob)

I must admit that I am a little disappointed with the We Connect app.. It could be a lot better I feel, function wise. It would have been really great if all the functions on the Control Panel could be reflected in the App for instance.

You cannot Lock or Unlock the Cali from WeConnect Plus.
WeConnect Plus will tell you if the doors are locked or unlocked (I guess that's what VW mean by "Manage")

You can get receive a notification (as long as this is set from the app on your phone) to tell you that the vehicle alarm has gone off and the notification will distinguish if the alarm was caused by a trailer or light board being unplugged.

You can receive a notification that your Cali has moved out of "pre configured by you" areas.

You can also set up a speed alert to notify you if your Cali has exceeded a set speed - quite why you will want that I don't know. Maybe useful if you hire the Cali out.



You can activate (pulse) the Horn and/or (flash) the lights if you want??!!? from the WeConnect Plus app. Presumably to find where you parked your Cali if you need to (or maybe frighten somebody off)

The Discover Pro has a software SIM built in which is used by the SOS system, servicing and map updates etc
To enable Internet Radio, media streaming and the Wi-Fi hotspot (use your Cali as a stand alone WiFi hotspot) you have to purchase an additional data plan from VW's chosen provider CUBIC TELECOM.

Instead of a VW data plan, you can create your own Internet connection via “Personal/mobile hotspot” on your Internet-ready end device i.e. tether your mobile device using its own data plan.

Yes it’s a bit underwhelming. :-(
I’ve got a Vodafone contract with unlimited data so will be using that.

 

[CaliGE]

Hi all...
You definitely cannot operate the heater from We Connect Plus . (only switch on and off from last saved setting on the Heater remote key fob)

I must admit that I am a little disappointed with the We Connect app.. It could be a lot better I feel, function wise. It would have been really great if all the functions on the Control Panel could be reflected in the App for instance.

You cannot Lock or Unlock the Cali from WeConnect Plus.
WeConnect Plus will tell you if the doors are locked or unlocked (I guess that's what VW mean by "Manage")

You can get receive a notification (as long as this is set from the app on your phone) to tell you that the vehicle alarm has gone off and the notification will distinguish if the alarm was caused by a trailer or light board being unplugged.

You can receive a notification that your Cali has moved out of "pre configured by you" areas.

You can also set up a speed alert to notify you if your Cali has exceeded a set speed - quite why you will want that I don't know. Maybe useful if you hire the Cali out.



You can activate (pulse) the Horn and/or (flash) the lights if you want??!!? from the WeConnect Plus app. Presumably to find where you parked your Cali if you need to (or maybe frighten somebody off)

The Discover Pro has a software SIM built in which is used by the SOS system, servicing and map updates etc
To enable Internet Radio, media streaming and the Wi-Fi hotspot (use your Cali as a stand alone WiFi hotspot) you have to purchase an additional data plan from VW's chosen provider CUBIC TELECOM.

Instead of a VW data plan, you can create your own Internet connection via “Personal/mobile hotspot” on your Internet-ready end device i.e. tether your mobile device using its own data plan.

As far as I remember I was able to unlock the car using the app.

 

[rhcpu2]

Unlock and lock is definitely possible.

 

[Ray Jordan]

Unlock and lock is definitely possible.

Hi all...I am referring to the Weconnect UK iphone app on a MY21 T6.1 Ocean and it isnt possible. You can see that the vehicle is locked or unlocked but no option to lock or unlock from the app.

 

[rhcpu2]

Strange indeed. In my version I have the option as shown below.

Silly question but do you have the most updated version? Did you send an email to the support about this? They are quite responsive, usually you get a reply on the next day.

WeConnect Support • weconnect-support@volkswagen.de

 

[GrumpyGranddad]

Hi all...I am referring to the Weconnect UK iphone app on a MY21 T6.1 Ocean and it isnt possible. You can see that the vehicle is locked or unlocked but no option to lock or unlock from the app. View attachment 69690

Same here. Can’t unlock with the App. Doubt i’d normally use it, but I suppose it would be VERY useful if the key was lost or locked in the van.

 

[frankwu]

My California T6.1 also failed to heat up. At the same time, there is a new phenomenon, that the heating has been working continuously for 3 hours and cannot be activated. After driving for several hours, it returned to normal when it stopped. Maybe the car finds me boring, give me a little surprise