Topic: Is block heater necessary?

[Paul L]

I have done enough search and still cannot find a conclusion.

We bought a new 09 Lancer in summer.  We have -30C before windchill in last couple of night.  When we tried to find the block heater cable to plug-in, we cannot find it.  We called Mit dealer and the salesman said the new Mit is design to be able to start at about -50C, wow!!!.  Our car did start in the morning but it quitted started in the mid morning after a couple of short trips and need someone's help to boost it.

Question is, is there really such a good design that the car can stay in -50C long and still can start?  What does block heater do?  With it keep the battery warm as well as the oil?

I googled and read the new Audi are not coming with block heater as well.

Thanks.

[ovr50]

The purpose of block heater is to keep a bit of warmth in the engine block, and the engine oil. A car "might" start at -50C but it is a lot easier on the engine if there is a bit of warmth there. If I lived anywhere it got to -30C (and I formerly lived in Alberta) I would absolutely have a block heater installed. So much better for the longer life of your vehicle.

Lot's of vehicles come from the factory without them, so it's up to the customer to install them after. In Sask, do it.

[Railton]

I have done enough search and still cannot find a conclusion.

We bought a new 09 Lancer in summer.  We have -30C before windchill in last couple of night.  When we tried to find the block heater cable to plug-in, we cannot find it.  We called Mit dealer and the salesman said the new Mit is design to be able to start at about -50C, wow!!!.  Our car did start in the morning but it quitted started in the mid morning after a couple of short trips and need someone's help to boost it.

Question is, is there really such a good design that the car can stay in -50C long and still can start?  What does block heater do?  With it keep the battery warm as well as the oil?

I googled and read the new Audi are not coming with block heater as well.

Thanks.

Spend the ~$100. It's money well spent...and...your car will thank you.
Railton

[weebl]

Get a recirculating in-line coolant heater.  Does the same job as a conventional block heater, only better.  These are available generically from Canadian Tire or a place like Fort Garry Industries.  You will have to do some homework into which hose to splice it into, and which size/model heater you need, but not that hard to find out.  Install in the lowest point that you can.

[airbalancer]

Maybe you need a battery blanket ?

[PJungnitsch]

Salesman are often very weak technically, I'd get ahold of service. Usually Canadian vehicles come standard with block heaters, but the cord can be curled up and hidden in the factory install.

One of the people in the office missed a half day of work yesterday as her unplugged truck locked up its thermostat. The mechanic dug out her block heater cord from deep in the engine bay somewhere.

If you really don't have one, be careful if you install a circulating heater, they have to be installed correctly or they won't circulate coolant and heat much of anything.

[ovr50]

Maybe you need a battery blanket ?

That can help but the extreme cold that can happen on the Prairies really needs a block heater; the batt blanket is just added help but is less critical than the block heater. Not a bad idea, tho for places like Sask.

[mrthompson]

Our car did start in the morning but it quitted started in the mid morning after a couple of short trips and need someone's help to boost it.

I wonder if airbalancer mentioned the battery blanket because of the above statement?

[airbalancer]

Our car did start in the morning but it quitted started in the mid morning after a couple of short trips and need someone's help to boost it.

I wonder if airbalancer mentioned the battery blanket because of the above statement?

[dowster]

I have done enough search and still cannot find a conclusion.

We bought a new 09 Lancer in summer.  We have -30C before windchill in last couple of night.  When we tried to find the block heater cable to plug-in, we cannot find it.  We called Mit dealer and the salesman said the new Mit is design to be able to start at about -50C, wow!!!.  Our car did start in the morning but it quitted started in the mid morning after a couple of short trips and need someone's help to boost it.

Question is, is there really such a good design that the car can stay in -50C long and still can start?  What does block heater do?  With it keep the battery warm as well as the oil?

I googled and read the new Audi are not coming with block heater as well.

Thanks.

It doesn't matter new or old car that I believe to plugging in my car. My husband has a BMW M3 that has a oil pan.  He said he needed to plug-in his car, otherwise make noises, hard to start and take a longer time to warm up. Safer for driving if car is warmer.  There is called PLUG ALIVE I bought from Canadian Tire that test your block heater, oil pan is turned on or not.  It is great tool. Read in other POST " Car Block Heat, winter is coming" to get some ideas.

[articsteve]

Get a recirculating in-line coolant heater.  Does the same job as a conventional block heater, only better.  These are available generically from Canadian Tire or a place like Fort Garry Industries.  You will have to do some homework into which hose to splice it into, and which size/model heater you need, but not that hard to find out.  Install in the lowest point that you can.

If you are referring to a "hose heater" then I would submit they are the easiest to install with less chance of complications because finding an open frost plug on anything but a V8 is hellish.

Saabs come with hose heaters, not block heaters.

However, they don't apply to all vehicles.  Installation is dependent on the type of rad hose configuration.

TSC stores, and I assume they are present out west as well, stock them.  Sold in sizes relating to the diameter of your rad hoses.

IMO, any temp under -20C is definitely "heater time".


PS  You can buy a battery warmer, but a "engine heater" is needed first.

[PJungnitsch]

There is called PLUG ALIVE I bought from Canadian Tire that test your block heater, oil pan is turned on or not.  It is great tool. Read in other POST " Car Block Heat, winter is coming" to get some ideas.

For more information on Plug Alive™ and other Dowster Products contact:

Plug Alive ™

Dowster Ltd.

Alberta, Canada


During this recent cold spell I have been very impressed with the PA, but if you are making it Dowster, own up.

[Roddy]

I have done enough search and still cannot find a conclusion.

We bought a new 09 Lancer in summer.  We have -30C before windchill in last couple of night.  When we tried to find the block heater cable to plug-in, we cannot find it.  We called Mit dealer and the salesman said the new Mit is design to be able to start at about -50C, wow!!!.  Our car did start in the morning but it quitted started in the mid morning after a couple of short trips and need someone's help to boost it.

Question is, is there really such a good design that the car can stay in -50C long and still can start?  What does block heater do?  With it keep the battery warm as well as the oil?

I googled and read the new Audi are not coming with block heater as well.

Thanks.

Just about any fuel injected vehicle with a decent battery will be able to start in just about any conceivable temperature - starting isn't the problem. The problem with starting a car that hasn't been "on the plug" in sub zero temperatures is that it causes significant wear and tear on the engine.

In summary: Yes, in temperatures -10 and below it is very beneficial to be using a block heater.

[overtakeyouintheleftlane]

I use mine when it's about 1 degree celcius or colder as I want a warm interior and better fuel economy. A cold engine will run rich and therefore use more gasoline. Block heaters also reduce wear and tear when starting the engine. 

According to Natural Resources Canada - http://oee.nrcan.gc.ca/transportation/personal/driving/autosmart-maintenance.cfm

"One answer to this cold-engine dilemma is to use a block heater to warm the coolant, which in turn warms the engine block and lubricants. The engine will start more easily and reach its peak operating temperature faster. In temperatures below 0°C, block heaters can improve overall fuel economy by 10 % or more."

So yes, I believe it's necessary.

[madjak30]

A lot of import mfg are not installing block heaters as standard...must be relying on the synthetic oil to flow at low temps...best bet is an oil pan heater, the oil will flow better-sooner and decrease the amount of wear to your engine.  Also, if you are wanting your engine to heat up faster, don't "idle" for 20 mins.  Start your car, sweep off the snow, and drive it.  The engine will warm up quicker under load (not high idle, but load) better than any other condition.  A battery blanket is recommended if the ambient temp is colder than -20C.  It was -35 to -40C here all weekend, I plugged in my diesel truck for three hours and it fired right up. (Block heater and battery blanket)