When do you guys plug em in
Lead Driver
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 5,112
Likes: 1,553
From: western SD
I don't plug my trucks in until it hits 0. If the starting system is in good shape, these trucks will fire off to even colder temps. The 96 Crewcab fired off the other morning at -20 when the dog unpluged the cord from the outlet. It was a little cranky, but she started.
Elder User
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 584
Likes: 0
From: Southern West Virginia
Mine will start at 0*, just a little longer cranking and sounds like crap for a while until it gets warmed up. I don't like the way the engine runs/sounds cold, so that's why I plug it in! I don't know if it really affects anything in the long run, but I just figure it certainly can't hurt to plug it in. And with it on the timer, I'm only using ~4 hrs power. 
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 1,645
Likes: 4
I'm with the 40 degree and under crowd, I plug mine in every night. As a matter of fact when I left my house 2 weeks ago it was 5 degrees in Maine; I wasn't sure if it was gunna stay cold so I just left the truck plugged in in my unheated garage.. When I use to snowmobile up north regularly w my 97 psd shed fire up w/out and fuss in -20. Imho it's much easier on the engine internals keeping the block heated...
Lead Driver
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 8,476
Likes: 37
From: Madison, WI
Block heater is NOT just to "allow" it to start when cold. I've started ours at 0F not plugged it, but only because we were at our off-grid cabin. The block heater makes for considerably less friction / wear on the engine at start-up, and that's when the bulk of the wear on the engine occurs. Your engine will last longer if you plug it in at these temperatures.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 1,645
Likes: 4
Block heater is NOT just to "allow" it to start when cold. I've started ours at 0F not plugged it, but only because we were at our off-grid cabin. The block heater makes for considerably less friction / wear on the engine at start-up, and that's when the bulk of the wear on the engine occurs. Your engine will last longer if you plug it in at these temperatures.
Hotshot
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 10,410
Likes: 77
From: Plankinton, SD
Block heater is NOT just to "allow" it to start when cold. I've started ours at 0F not plugged it, but only because we were at our off-grid cabin. The block heater makes for considerably less friction / wear on the engine at start-up, and that's when the bulk of the wear on the engine occurs. Your engine will last longer if you plug it in at these temperatures.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 4,818
Likes: 1
From: Avilla, IN
I usually plug mine in when it starts getting below 40* at night. I know you don't have to but the it seems to me that it would be easier on all the engine components starting a warm engine. I do want to get a timer to put mine on though so it's not sitting there all night sucking electricity
Block heater draws 1000W. So whatever your per-kWh rate is on your bill, that's exactly how much it costs to run per hour. Typically it's around 15 cents / hour. So if you use a timer, for every six hours you DON'T run it, it saves a buck. Pays for the timer pretty quick.
Also, turn the HVAC control to Defrost when you park it. The coolant circulates a bit as it's heated, so when you light it up, it defrosts your windshield faster.
Also, turn the HVAC control to Defrost when you park it. The coolant circulates a bit as it's heated, so when you light it up, it defrosts your windshield faster.
When I was in school I would park on the top floor of the parking garage right next to the stair well and plug my truck in there.
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Cargo Master
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 2,756
Likes: 38
From: Nampa, ID
Thanks for the info, gang. I forgot to mention that I plug mine in when the temp gets to 40*F or below as well. The timer I used was inside my garage with the extension cord running under the garage door to my truck parked outside, next to the garage door. My truck doesn't fit inside my garage.
Well, it does sort of fit. I have to air down the tires and leave the garage door open.
Not worth the hassle and lack of security to do that on a daily basis. 
Well, it does sort of fit. I have to air down the tires and leave the garage door open.
Not worth the hassle and lack of security to do that on a daily basis.
Elder User
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 556
Likes: 0
From: Elyria, Ohio
That seems really high. Its about $0.08 - $0.09 per kW-hr here. I bought a timer this year. I got it at Walmart for about $15. Its rated for 2000W. I plug my truck in whenever its below 35°F to reduce engine wear (I'd like to get another 280,000 miles out of this engine) and you usually don't have to scrape frost off the windshield if you leave the heater set to hot defrost. I have the timer set for 3 hrs before I start it in the morning.
When I was in school I would park on the top floor of the parking garage right next to the stair well and plug my truck in there.
When I was in school I would park on the top floor of the parking garage right next to the stair well and plug my truck in there.
The have parking for "fuel efficient vehicles" i should complain and say there needs to be diesel plug ins... Vehicle discrimination !
Logistics Pro
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 4,818
Likes: 1
From: Avilla, IN
Thanks for the info, gang. I forgot to mention that I plug mine in when the temp gets to 40*F or below as well. The timer I used was inside my garage with the extension cord running under the garage door to my truck parked outside, next to the garage door. My truck doesn't fit inside my garage.
Well, it does sort of fit. I have to air down the tires and leave the garage door open. Not worth the hassle and lack of security to do that on a daily basis.
Well, it does sort of fit. I have to air down the tires and leave the garage door open.
Not worth the hassle and lack of security to do that on a daily basis. Heck yeah you should complain.
Posting Guru
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 1,647
Likes: 1
From: Exton, PA
i would agree that plugging it in when it gets down near freezing is good practice. with good glow plugs its never NEEDED to start, but cold starting an engine below zero just sounds bad. my block heater is cooked on my truck now, so its always cold starts for me this year. she was NOT happy those days that the oil temp read ZERO a few weeks back. didn't take any longer to start, but had a lot more rumbling and rattling for several seconds before smoothing out. and ALOOOOOT of smoke spewing out the tailpipe. but for 357k miles, as long as she starts, I'm happy.
the timer is very helpful, though. on my other truck (with a working block heater), i found that 4 hours as the magic time when it was really cold out. any longer didn't really do much. any shorter and the heat wouldn't be instantly warm after startup.
the timer is very helpful, though. on my other truck (with a working block heater), i found that 4 hours as the magic time when it was really cold out. any longer didn't really do much. any shorter and the heat wouldn't be instantly warm after startup.
Elder User
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 549
Likes: 0
From: chicago burbs
when tempt dip to single digits, ill plug in. No timer as I work second shift. Just plug in when I wake up. Then ill bring the generator for midnight starts after work. Can't wait till summer when ill throw a leg over my new to me motorcycle, all tho that carb will still have to warm up a bit
good batteries make a world of difference! I bough cheaper batts, and had to run the generator below 15*. Returned them and I figure the new ones will pay for them self this week in gasoline savings.
good batteries make a world of difference! I bough cheaper batts, and had to run the generator below 15*. Returned them and I figure the new ones will pay for them self this week in gasoline savings.