fkarim wrote:

Open the bonnet and if you have one fitted you will see this:
http://www.rrsport.co.uk/forum/post251393.html#251393

It's function can't be controlled (unless you have an aftermarket device) and will only come on automatically if the temperature is 4 deg C or lower, the engine is running and I think climate control needs to be on too.

I always knew I had it but reading some threads on this forum convinced me it was broken/locked out as I didn't see any smoke even today. Decided to check it out and three burnt fingers with the impression of the wrinkly pipe suggested otherwise

If you can't see any smoke, can't smell or hear anything unusual, one (relatively safer than mine) way to check it's working is to locate its exhaust pipe. It can be easily seen through the front offside wheel arch on a RHD car. Hold a piece of paper against that outlet and you will know if there is gas coming out of it.

I cannot believe that until today I thought "near side" meant near the driver Just checked and it means near the kerb, for example when parked.

Thanks for the correction Harry