To plug or not to plug
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New User
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 21
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To plug or not to plug
I see a lot of topics about finding the plug, or how long to plug in but what I want to know is should I even worry about it. I was thinking about how I was going to handle this when it gets cold but did not get around to it before the cold hit. This is my first winter with my 99 which has 100K on it. This morning it was 15 degrees f and my truck started just the same as it does every other morning no matter what the temp is. It does go to fast idle in about 30 seconds or so. Am I hurting anything by not thinning out the oil with a block heater? Or is a good rule as long as it starts up fine, go with it?
Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 11,892
Likes: 2
From: Middle Tennessee
Sounds like you have a healthy truck. The block heater actually heats the coolant. Most will use a timer for between 1-3 hours depending on the temp. If you are not using synthetic oil, you may want to consider using the heater.
It all depends on where you live and how harsh it is. The trucks are supposedly made to start anywhere but they are not new anymore. Not only does it aid in warmup in the cabin, but it also aids in warming the oil quicker which is a big aid to running the engine. All fired by oil and whatnot.
Except for the coldest days here, I will plug mine in when I come downstairs with my coffee. 30 minutes later it is usually ready to go.
It all depends on where you live and how harsh it is. The trucks are supposedly made to start anywhere but they are not new anymore. Not only does it aid in warmup in the cabin, but it also aids in warming the oil quicker which is a big aid to running the engine. All fired by oil and whatnot.
Except for the coldest days here, I will plug mine in when I come downstairs with my coffee. 30 minutes later it is usually ready to go.
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 257
Likes: 1
From: Grafton , WV
Originally Posted by kawika
by plugging it in, you will find that the heat will come up quicker in the Cab. Nice on those cold mornings. It also makes the engine warm up faster. I plug mine in once it gets to about 30*
