[Bubka]

I'm another prospective Canadian buyer of the Outlander PHEV that stumbled onto this thread. I was a bit concerned after reading this so I did some research.

Based on the below video from a Japanese blogger (turn on translated subtitles at around 2:30), their manual states the heat pump works down to -15 C. Likely the closer it gets to that limit, it will take longer to blow hot air.

I noticed in the owner manual it also states "Since heating uses the heat from the engine cooling water, the engine will start when heating is used." I think this echoes what some of the users here said, if they set their drive mode to "Save" and use the defrost functions, perhaps that will cause the engine to kick on and help warm the cabin? The video above also mentions that it won't emit warm air in certain drive modes as well, when the vehicle was used in -24 C weather.

For example If you set your temperature control on 22 celsius or 28 celsius and if your heat pump is not able to reach set temperature alone with batteries than it will kick on ICE to help to reach preset temperature . Only difference will be at 28 celsius preset your ICE will be running more often than preset on 22 if outside temperaturw is minus 15 celsius.

 

[vipmk]

Although I don't drive a PHEV instead a gas outlander, where I live it goes -40 Celsius multiple times a year, this year I had engine errors - limp mode less power engaged and would drive like a slug dumping my fuel economy completely out the window. When the vehicle had warmed up and I restarted the car, the engine notification went away, my phone call to the dealership was responded to that others were experiencing this same issue, and to park it inside a garage or get a block heater going.

So I would have to agree with this thread title, I don't believe this machine was tested extensively in truly cold weather.

It would likely take 10% or more of Outlander owners to complain to dealers and for some auto reviewers to make a similar reference, i.e., "after our tests, I can say, the Outlander is a great vehicle, except for one thing - the heater sucks, so if you live in a colder climate, you might want to think twice about getting once."

 

[vipmk]

I'm a fellow Ottawan and am on the verge of ordering/buying a new Outlander PHEV, so I'm curious to know if local Mitsubishi dealers (or Mitsubishi as a company) are problematic to deal with over the long term. This is very important to me since the car must be serviced at a Mitsubishi dealership for the warranty to remain valid. I've never purchased a car from a dealer or had one serviced at a dealership (I take my Corolla to Canadian Tire), so I'm nervous about getting stuck having to deal regularly (say twice per year) with difficult/unethical dealers for the next 5-10 years.

I haven't seen any ratings out there, but as Mitsubishi is still a relatively small player here in Canada, I've had better service with Hyundai dealerships (with my daughter's Sonata). As I stated before, to be asked to leave our Outlander PHEV for two days, without a loaner offer, seems crazy. My other experience with them, is they Nickle and dime you to death, e.g., to bring the TPMS scanner up beside the wheels to reset from winters to summer tires, is about $80 (my local garage does it at no charge).

 

[vipmk]

I'm another prospective Canadian buyer of the Outlander PHEV that stumbled onto this thread. I was a bit concerned after reading this so I did some research.

Based on the below video from a Japanese blogger (turn on translated subtitles at around 2:30), their manual states the heat pump works down to -15 C. Likely the closer it gets to that limit, it will take longer to blow hot air.

I noticed in the owner manual it also states "Since heating uses the heat from the engine cooling water, the engine will start when heating is used." I think this echoes what some of the users here said, if they set their drive mode to "Save" and use the defrost functions, perhaps that will cause the engine to kick on and help warm the cabin? The video above also mentions that it won't emit warm air in certain drive modes as well, when the vehicle was used in -24 C weather.

I doubt if Mitsubishi ever had any plans that they'd be selling this to northern parts of Canada or Alaska.

 

[SHAKES]

Although I don't drive a PHEV instead a gas outlander, where I live it goes -40 Celsius multiple times a year, this year I had engine errors - limp mode less power engaged and would drive like a slug dumping my fuel economy completely out the window. When the vehicle had warmed up and I restarted the car, the engine notification went away, my phone call to the dealership was responded to that others were experiencing this same issue, and to park it inside a garage or get a block heater going.

So I would have to agree with this thread title, I don't believe this machine was tested extensively in truly cold weather.

It would likely take 10% or more of Outlander owners to complain to dealers and for some auto reviewers to make a similar reference, i.e., "after our tests, I can say, the Outlander is a great vehicle, except for one thing - the heater sucks, so if you live in a colder climate, you might want to think twice about getting once."

I don't think the gas model is the same at all - entirely different engine and heating system. A similar SUV, the Honda CR-V turbo also has issues heating up in the winter, it was even in the news. The problems with a PHEV including battery conditioning and heat pump are entirely separate.

https://www.cbc.ca/news/business/honda-crv-civic-heater-1.5960676

 

[SHAKES]

I doubt if Mitsubishi ever had any plans that they'd be selling this to northern parts of Canada or Alaska.

I think it's mostly designed to be plugged in for the very cold weather to help with battery conditioning but has limitations. Honestly I'm still leaning towards a purchase at the moment, but I thought I would share these other two videos as well about some cold weather issues.

1) Some issues with weather-seals. This video has English subtitles

2) Some power reduction warnings at -24 C in Northern Japan. Have you gotten these warnings?

 

[ontheroad]

I haven't seen any ratings out there, but as Mitsubishi is still a relatively small player here in Canada, I've had better service with Hyundai dealerships (with my daughter's Sonata). As I stated before, to be asked to leave our Outlander PHEV for two days, without a loaner offer, seems crazy. My other experience with them, is they Nickle and dime you to death, e.g., to bring the TPMS scanner up beside the wheels to reset from winters to summer tires, is about $80 (my local garage does it at no charge).

Thanks for the head's up regarding excess charges on tire changes - I'll probably stick to Canadian Tire and just document everything for warranty purposes.

Would you mind telling me where you got yours from? I was going to order from Donnelly in Kanata but they were adding an extra 2k of bogus fees (protection, etc.). I showed the salesman the price that is quoted on the Mitsubishi Canada website and he said he would honour it, so I may still order from them. Did you buy locally or go further afield?

 

[vipmk]

Thanks for the head's up regarding excess charges on tire changes - I'll probably stick to Canadian Tire and just document everything for warranty purposes.

Would you mind telling me where you got yours from? I was going to order from Donnelly in Kanata but they were adding an extra 2k of bogus fees (protection, etc.). I showed the salesman the price that is quoted on the Mitsubishi Canada website and he said he would honour it, so I may still order from them. Did you buy locally or go further afield?

Orleans Mitsubishi - although I don't think it matters much as neither Mistusbishi or it's dealers (that I spoke with) are interested in negotiating or even honoring things like their advertised "Loyalty" or "Graduate" discounts - greed abounds.

 

[ontheroad]

Orleans Mitsubishi - although I don't think it matters much as neither Mistusbishi or it's dealers (that I spoke with) are interested in negotiating or even honoring things like their advertised "Loyalty" or "Graduate" discounts - greed abounds.

May I ask what trim you bought and how much you paid? I'm deciding between the ES and the SEL, colour white.

 

[oldfarmer]

I live in the coldest climate in the lower 48 (Minnesota) and my heat system works decent on my 23 PHEV. I can say that the heating is noticeably better when the engine fires up. Overall the heating is acceptable but not as good as my ford truck.

 

[vipmk]

May I ask what trim you bought and how much you paid? I'm deciding between the ES and the SEL, colour white.

LE & MSRP

 

[slick]

Thanks for the head's up regarding excess charges on tire changes - I'll probably stick to Canadian Tire and just document everything for warranty purposes.

Would you mind telling me where you got yours from? I was going to order from Donnelly in Kanata but they were adding an extra 2k of bogus fees (protection, etc.). I showed the salesman the price that is quoted on the Mitsubishi Canada website and he said he would honour it, so I may still order from them. Did you buy locally or go further afield?

hey buds dont know about your situation but i like to do my own tire . i also like to have my winters on there own rims with there own sensors . since the dealer told me the phev holds 2 sets of sensors in its memory i got the dealer to put on my winters . about 125 bucks for labour all in . but in NB so will be different there i imagine .

 

[vipmk]

hey buds dont know about your situation but i like to do my own tire . i also like to have my winters on there own rims with there own sensors . since the dealer told me the phev holds 2 sets of sensors in its memory i got the dealer to put on my winters . about 125 bucks for labour all in . but in NB so will be different there i imagine .

Good to know about the memory slots now - I'll consider getting the sensors installed in my winter rims.