Can I Plug Her Up Yet ???
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 262
Likes: 0
PLUG IT IN FOR SURE!!! Timer is a great idea as many have one. It has been stated before but worth repeating for this conversation.... Take a quart of oil and store it at 30 degrees for 6 or 7 hours or whatever your nighttime temperatures are in your area. Once that is done open it and try to pour it out and then you will see why you plug it in and what the block heater is for.
Whatever you see come out of that quart, just remember your investment of $20,000 - $45,000 is straining to turn over 15 quarts of that stuff.
GET YOUR MACHISMO IN THE GYM.... not by bragging to your buddies that you started your truck in sub freezing temperatures without plugging it in. In reality, if they don't own a diesel they wouldn't understand what you are telling them anyhow!! {removing self from soap box} Thank you .... enjoy your winter!
Whatever you see come out of that quart, just remember your investment of $20,000 - $45,000 is straining to turn over 15 quarts of that stuff.
GET YOUR MACHISMO IN THE GYM.... not by bragging to your buddies that you started your truck in sub freezing temperatures without plugging it in. In reality, if they don't own a diesel they wouldn't understand what you are telling them anyhow!! {removing self from soap box} Thank you .... enjoy your winter!
Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 11,892
Likes: 2
From: Middle Tennessee
I agree with both sides of this. If it is 32*F or below, I plug it in for about 30 minutes before cranking just 'cause I can and feel better. If it is in the teens, I will not crank my truck until it has been plugged in for a minimum of 1 hour.
Anything above freezing, I don't think it really matters. If I am away from home and it is supercold, I just crank it up but it sure is rough. That's why I try not to visit family in New Hampshire in the winter. You can keep that mess.
Anything above freezing, I don't think it really matters. If I am away from home and it is supercold, I just crank it up but it sure is rough. That's why I try not to visit family in New Hampshire in the winter. You can keep that mess.
Trending Topics
Logistics Pro
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 3,884
Likes: 180
From: Morgan Hill, CA
Do not forget there is a risk of fire. To say there is no risk to plugging it in would be ignoring that basic fact. These things occasionally burn trucks to the ground.
I personally never plug mine in, but I live in a warm climate. Take the advice of the guys who live in the northern plains, Canada, and Alaska. They know what works and when you need it.
I personally never plug mine in, but I live in a warm climate. Take the advice of the guys who live in the northern plains, Canada, and Alaska. They know what works and when you need it.
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalytic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer
Joe Kucinski
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)
Brett Foote
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies
Joe Kucinski
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make
Brett Foote
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!
Michael S. Palmer
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home
Verdad Gallardo
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?
Brett Foote
Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 11,892
Likes: 2
From: Middle Tennessee
Originally Posted by Fat Diesel
Do not forget there is a risk of fire. To say there is no risk to plugging it in would be ignoring that basic fact. These things occasionally burn trucks to the ground.
Lead Driver
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 7,413
Likes: 1
From: Columbia, MO
You can also get a timer and plug the extension cord into it, to have the timer come on a couple hours before you need to leave. That way the block heater isn't running all the time, reducing the electricity used as well as reducing any fire hazard.
Cargo Master
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 2,502
Likes: 2
From: Bend Oregon
Originally Posted by Fat Diesel
Do not forget there is a risk of fire. To say there is no risk to plugging it in would be ignoring that basic fact. These things occasionally burn trucks to the ground.
.
.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 25,090
Likes: 1,112
From: Rio Rico, AZ.
When you plug in the truck, it only heats the coolant, not the oil in the pan. So the truck is still starting up on that very thick and cold oil. If you want to heat your oil you have to buy a separate pan heater for that.
Where I live (Seattle, WA.) if it drops below 20 degrees at night in the middle of winter, it's very unusual. We have a marine climate here so the temperatures are regulated by the ocean breezes that come in from the Pacific.
Where I live (Seattle, WA.) if it drops below 20 degrees at night in the middle of winter, it's very unusual. We have a marine climate here so the temperatures are regulated by the ocean breezes that come in from the Pacific.
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 278
Likes: 0
From: MINNESOTA
Lived in northern Minnesota all my 60 years .had many trucks and cars with softplug heaters in them, with temps well below zero during winter months they were pluged in many nites never had or heard of any fire problems. The tank heaters which installed in your heater hoses had problems. When you ordered a auto up here softplug heater are pretty much standard.
Posting Guru
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,515
Likes: 0
From: Jasper, MO
Here is an easy addition; Go ahead, get the appliance-grade timer, and there is an adapter you can get ANYWHERE they might sell farm supplies/stock tanks... I bet you can even get it (ahem!) ONLINE, lol... it will only activate when the temps drop below 45 degrees farenheit. This way, you can make a HABIT of plugging it in, etc, and not worry every night whether you need to or not! I use them on my own truck and the company trucks as well, they run about 15 bucks (That's DOLLARS for Tenn... don't shoot em) and they have gone three seasons so far.