Engine block heater
Lead Driver
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 8,616
Likes: 4,698
From: Itinerant
Good point on windshield fliud. The normal cold stuff seems to freeze at the nozzles but the extreme doesn't and the truck isn't in the real cold weather like in Canada. 🥶🥶
Cross-Country
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 56
Likes: 43
From: Kenora, Ontario
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Dec 2021
Posts: 1,087
Likes: 342
From: PG, BC, Canada
Block heaters are for enabling engines to start in cold weather, YES... But just because the engine starts in whatever temps you "think' are cold or not so cold, the block heaters do other jobs too...
1; Less wear & tare on the components, faster easier starts..
2; Faster heat onto windshield to defrost, to allow you to start driving sooner.
3; Faster to reach operating temps and thus better MPG
4; Faster heating of the interior.
5; less drain on the battery, as it takes less power to turn the engine over.
Battery blankets can also be useful especially with these modern vehicles that don't actually shut off and thus keep on depleting the battery... and a warm battery will also take a charge better than a cold battery.
So, Those are the reasons I plug in overnight with a timer on, even tho I "know" the truck will start without being plugged in...
1; 2Hrs in the morning at around -10*C
2; 4Hrs in the morning at around -20*C
3; 8Hrs all night at around -30 *C
4; When ever the truck is not running at around -40*C...
5; I leave the truck running 24/7 at around -50*C...
1; Less wear & tare on the components, faster easier starts..
2; Faster heat onto windshield to defrost, to allow you to start driving sooner.
3; Faster to reach operating temps and thus better MPG
4; Faster heating of the interior.
5; less drain on the battery, as it takes less power to turn the engine over.
Battery blankets can also be useful especially with these modern vehicles that don't actually shut off and thus keep on depleting the battery... and a warm battery will also take a charge better than a cold battery.
So, Those are the reasons I plug in overnight with a timer on, even tho I "know" the truck will start without being plugged in...
1; 2Hrs in the morning at around -10*C
2; 4Hrs in the morning at around -20*C
3; 8Hrs all night at around -30 *C
4; When ever the truck is not running at around -40*C...
5; I leave the truck running 24/7 at around -50*C...
Laughing Gas
Joined: Dec 2021
Posts: 1,087
Likes: 342
From: PG, BC, Canada
2 month -20*C
1 month -30*C
1 month -40*C
1 month -50*C
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jun 2018
Posts: 1,461
Likes: 536
From: Wasilla, AK
There is a difference between needing to plug in and wanting to plug in to make life easier.
Need? Maybe 10 below F?
Anytime the temp dips below 10F, plugging in 3 hours prior to starting can make a huge difference in how fast truck will generate heat in the cab and helps reduce emissions the first few miles vehicle it is driven.
Need? Maybe 10 below F?
Anytime the temp dips below 10F, plugging in 3 hours prior to starting can make a huge difference in how fast truck will generate heat in the cab and helps reduce emissions the first few miles vehicle it is driven.
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