Hey, just curious about what you folks thought about what temperature you should be plugging in your block heater at. I'd never really thought about it much before (I'm a warm weather boy living in Saskatchewan now). Any thoughts about when I should start using it or not?
Block heater...what temp do you plug it in?
- Thread starter sir slack-a-lot
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I start using mine when the nightime low drops to -20C or so. Block heaters use alot of expensive power so use it wiesely. Invest in a timer so it will turn itself on 2-3 hours before you need the car, instead of running it all night.
I've lived in Saskatchewan all my life and -15C might seem deathly cold to some but it's nothing really. Starting the car in this weather without being plugged in will not hurt anything.
When the temps really bottom out at -40 in January, you might want a battery warmer. The battery loses over half of its cranking power at this temp and a warmer really helps.
I've lived in Saskatchewan all my life and -15C might seem deathly cold to some but it's nothing really. Starting the car in this weather without being plugged in will not hurt anything.
When the temps really bottom out at -40 in January, you might want a battery warmer. The battery loses over half of its cranking power at this temp and a warmer really helps.
I have a timer set up in the house before the power gets to the outside plug-in box for the block heaters. I normally program it to start up 5:00 AM, that is 2 to 3 hours for block warming.
Block heaters are 200 to 300 watts normally so the timer set up works great.
I start when temps start hitting about -12 to -15, cheaper than calling a tow service.
Note: sure saves on battery wear.
Block heaters are 200 to 300 watts normally so the timer set up works great.
I start when temps start hitting about -12 to -15, cheaper than calling a tow service.
Note: sure saves on battery wear.
Where I live (Fairbanks, Alaska), the EPA recommends plugging in at 20*F.
Hey Logic how's it going down south? I plug in at 0F, on a timer set three hours before take off.
I plug mine in when the temps are consistently in the low 30'sF. I bought an exterior timer at Home Depot to start the sizzling about 3 hours before I leave for work in the morning.
Heat is pretty quick; but the best part is that the windshield is usually clear when I go out to start it. My 4x4 Dodge is pretty tall, and its a PIA to scrape near the center of the windshield.
Heat is pretty quick; but the best part is that the windshield is usually clear when I go out to start it. My 4x4 Dodge is pretty tall, and its a PIA to scrape near the center of the windshield.
I don't use a block heater. With Mobil1 5W30, the car starts just fine at all temperatures we experience here in Saskatchewan, and now that I am using 0W30 oil, things should be even easier on the engine.
My rationale is that I don't have electricity available to run a block heater for over half the time, so if the car can't leave my driveway cold-soaked, it shouldn't be on the road anyways. I'd much rather find out about a degraded battery or starter *before* I head out onto the road in the cold, not *after*.
[ October 18, 2004, 11:20 PM: Message edited by: pitzel ]
Hey..A fellow Fairbanksan!! You braced for another lovely winter? I just switched out to Amsoil S2000 0w30 and S2000 gear lube in anticipation.
I use a timer, starting at 0 C I'll set the timer for 1 hour for every 10 degrees below zero C. The heater throw's off heat a little sooner. Also I believe there would be less startup wear on the engine because if you crawl under and touch the oil pan even after 2 hours in -10 weather you can feel some heat on the oil pan hence quicker oil circulation at startup. Probably over doing it a little; like some say but hey, it's not going to hurt anything!
Also, the little extra heat in the engine before startup could reduce fuel dilution in the cylinders as the intake runners/components pick up some of the heat from the engine.(heat rises) more than what would end up in the oil pan. You know what they say, the most wear on your engine is a cold start up. I would think plugging it in would help negate that somewhat.
Yup...Your car may start up and run fine without plugging in, but keep in mind that wear due to extreme cold startups measures in the thousands of miles.
Oh definitely, its not the greatest habit in the world of having (not using a block heater), and perhaps over the long term, it will be increasing my engine wear to some degree. I think more so than an engine warmer, I need an ATF heater, because the transmission acts absolutely horrible at -40C until it is properly warmed up, and at the moment, nothing short of driving it actually warms it up.
Will probably try some Mobil1 ATF in the future -- maybe that will make winter startups a bit less painful.
Will probably try some Mobil1 ATF in the future -- maybe that will make winter startups a bit less painful.
I always see two motives for block heaters, there are those who use them only to ensure the engine starts in morning on extreme cold conditions. Then there are those like me who use block heaters for above reason and to ensure less engine wear at milder fall, winter and spring conditions. The electicity consumed with 1-4 hours block heater is worth cost to me in comparison to premature engine wear in my opinion.
I also use 0-30 in gas car, 0-40 in diesel, both syn oils.
Cyprs
I also use 0-30 in gas car, 0-40 in diesel, both syn oils.
Cyprs
oh, i am about to install one, so my wife can warm up the car cabin faster. She insiste since we had a baby girl in July. i don't want her to idle the car too long as gas is pretty expensive now. hope it doesnot get worse.
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