Block heater question.
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Junior User
Joined: Jan 2015
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Block heater question.
Who uses their block heater when it's cold? When is it ok to use it? I live in th Pacific Northwest so it's not that cold but I would like to have instant heat when I turn my truck on in the morning to thaw out my windows faster. Thanks.
Bleed Ford Blue
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 13,578
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From: Anchorage Alaska
You won't have instant heat but it will help, in a few ways. Here we have a program called "plug at 20" and the city promotes plugging in at 20 degree's or colder for faster warmups and less emissions.
I don't use mine because I park inside overnight.
I don't use mine because I park inside overnight.
Super Moderator
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 25,479
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From: Isanti, MN
It's okay to use it whenever you like. You can use it in the middle of summer if you like, you won't hurt anything. 20° like Russ suggested is a good point to start using it.
It's pretty rare to need it down in the lower 48, but you'll definitely increase your fuel efficiency by preheating the engine as it gets colder. It's been a few years since I've had a truck with one, and I always used to use a timer to preheat the block for 2 hours before startup. No need to leave it plugged in overnight, it wastes quite a bit of electricity. If your block heater is like the one in my '15 it uses 400W.
It's pretty rare to need it down in the lower 48, but you'll definitely increase your fuel efficiency by preheating the engine as it gets colder. It's been a few years since I've had a truck with one, and I always used to use a timer to preheat the block for 2 hours before startup. No need to leave it plugged in overnight, it wastes quite a bit of electricity. If your block heater is like the one in my '15 it uses 400W.
Elder User
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 790
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From: Ontario, OH
So reading your post got me to thinking about a block heater and if I should get a universal one or one from ford.
The one from ford was fairly cheap @ $48, but here's the kicker, the cord for it is $160.
I like the idea of the ford one because I know it will fit, but $160 for a cord seems a little ridiculous.
I've found a few on amazon, but they all seem to be different sizes and shapes and I have no idea which ones will/wont work. They are priced anywhere fro$25 to $70.
The one from ford was fairly cheap @ $48, but here's the kicker, the cord for it is $160.
I like the idea of the ford one because I know it will fit, but $160 for a cord seems a little ridiculous.
I've found a few on amazon, but they all seem to be different sizes and shapes and I have no idea which ones will/wont work. They are priced anywhere fro$25 to $70.
Super Moderator
Joined: Aug 2003
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From: Isanti, MN
Here's the cord for $60.08:
WIRE ASY | Genuine Ford | E8TZ-6B018-A
And the heater for $31.92:
HEATING UNIT for 2010 Ford F-150|3L3Z-6A051-AA
Bleed Ford Blue
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 13,578
Likes: 157
From: Anchorage Alaska
They say 20-21F is a good temp which would be -6C for you guys to the east
That being said, I've never really plugged in, even at -30F or -35C. Except when I was up north with a rental truck which had a full winterization (150W pad heater on the engine and oil pan, trickle charger on the battery with the block heater and other accessories tied into a 4-way junction box)
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Cargo Master
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 3,061
Likes: 39
From: Laramie, WY
Just wanted to mention that it's a waste to add a heater that goes in your lower radiator hose. I had one on my old truck and the heat doesn't get to the block or radiator. I could run my hand along the hose and feel the heat stop short of the block and radiator.
My plow truck has one in the block and I leave it plugged in all the time because it sits out in the cold without any use for days or weeks at a time.
My plow truck has one in the block and I leave it plugged in all the time because it sits out in the cold without any use for days or weeks at a time.
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Super Moderator
Joined: Aug 2003
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From: Isanti, MN
Originally Posted by F150 Owner's Guide
The heater uses 0.4 to 1.0 kilowatt-hours
of energy per hour of use. The system does
not have a thermostat. It achieves
maximum temperature after
approximately three hours of operation.
Using the heater longer than three hours
does not improve system performance and
unnecessarily uses electricity.
of energy per hour of use. The system does
not have a thermostat. It achieves
maximum temperature after
approximately three hours of operation.
Using the heater longer than three hours
does not improve system performance and
unnecessarily uses electricity.
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Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 6,513
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From: Sioux Falls Area
I know in my neck of the woods, they have called for an inch or two, where i had no plans to move snow ... Then I get home to 8 inches. That truck just needs to be ready.
I don't have a block heater on mine, but i do keep a battery tender plugged in 24/7 all winter long. If I had a block heater, id probably have it plugged in too, though I'd probably put it on a timer so it comes on at 2 pm so it is ready at 5 in case I need it. That's what I used to do with the tractor, anyway.
But if that tool don't work when you need it, you can have a real problem.
Just my thoughts.
Super Moderator
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 25,479
Likes: 742
From: Isanti, MN
I agree with that Mike, and I'm certainly not suggesting to not plug in when you think you might need it.
In my neck of the woods electricity is $0.12 per kilowatt. So 0.4*24*30*.12 =$34.56 per month to leave it plugged in all month long. That's why I've always used a timer with a block heater.
In my neck of the woods electricity is $0.12 per kilowatt. So 0.4*24*30*.12 =$34.56 per month to leave it plugged in all month long. That's why I've always used a timer with a block heater.
Cargo Master
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 3,061
Likes: 39
From: Laramie, WY
Sure, I could add a timer but I'm also considering the thermal cycling affects of the engine going back and forth from warm to cold. I don't like to start an engine that is cold soaked at very low temperatures.
I should go see if I can measure any noticeable change in either the oil or coolant temperatures to see if leaving it plugged in is really doing any good.
I should go see if I can measure any noticeable change in either the oil or coolant temperatures to see if leaving it plugged in is really doing any good.
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