What does 'rest' mean in a car?
2 Answers
Car's 'rest' refers to the residual heat utilization mode. The residual heat utilization mode is a function that uses the residual heat from the engine to continue providing warm air inside the car for up to half an hour after the engine is turned off, before automatically shutting down. The REST function is suitable for maintaining the interior temperature during short winter stops when the engine is turned off, preventing a rapid drop in temperature. When restarting the vehicle, there's no need to turn on the air conditioning system to reheat the interior temperature. To activate this function, simply press the REST residual heat control button on the center console after turning off the vehicle. Do not immediately turn on the warm air when starting a cold engine. Since the engine has just started, the radiator temperature is very low in winter, and turning on the air conditioning will not quickly raise the car's temperature but will instead increase the engine's burden and delay the normal rise in engine temperature.
During my years of driving, I was always curious about the REST button in the car. Later, I discovered that it is a unique feature of Volkswagen models, which utilizes residual heat from the engine after it's turned off to continue blowing warm air and maintain the interior temperature. It's especially practical in winter when waiting in the car or during short stops, as it doesn't consume additional fuel, making it both eco-friendly and cost-effective. I've used it a few times in my Golf—after turning off the engine, pressing the REST button on the AC panel activates the fan, directing engine heat into the cabin, keeping it warm. Without this feature in regular cars, the interior cools down quickly, requiring the engine to be restarted. Some other brands have similar concepts, like Mercedes' Residual Heat, but Volkswagen's version is more widespread. Remember, this function lasts only about 20 minutes, automatically deactivating once the engine cools down, ensuring safety by preventing stuffiness. Overall, it's a small design that offers great convenience, and I highly recommend Volkswagen owners to try it.
