Engine Block Heater?'s
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 432
Likes: 0
From: Upstate NewYork
It sounded like it made sense to me when my buddy from Mack trucks told it to me, but after posting it and looking at it i thought it was wrong. I was pretty sure that it was the other way but figured i would wait and let someone confirm it. Sorry for the misguided info. So as it seems leaving the heater plugged in and engine running will actually raise the resistance and lower the amperage thus causing no damage to the heater.
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 125
Likes: 0
My block heater runs for about an 1 hour or so before I take off. I keep my truck in an attached garage so it stays pretty warm in there.
I fiqure it is easier on the engine to start a little warmer and it is nice to have heat right away. It costs less for electricity ($.10) vs. the much higher cost of the additional fuel it takes to warm the engine up from a lower temperature if I didn't plug it in.
I fiqure it is easier on the engine to start a little warmer and it is nice to have heat right away. It costs less for electricity ($.10) vs. the much higher cost of the additional fuel it takes to warm the engine up from a lower temperature if I didn't plug it in.
Freshman User
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 31
Likes: 0
I have a 2007 6.0 F250 I bought in January 2007. It has no block heater and last winter it got -15 and with the truck sitting out side I had no problems starting. A friend told me about Power Service anti-gel. I did stall out (temporary freeze up) so I use Power Service year round. Only other thing is my truck had Ford 15W-40 when I got it and my dealer put 15W-40 at its 1st oil change. It was -5 the day my dealer changed the oil. Since then I've changed the oil to Shell Rotella T 10W-30.
Freshman User
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 38
Likes: 0
From: Edmonton, AB
But there was no applause...
Originally Posted by rchouser
There is something about the voice of experience.... 
Those "oh darn" moments do keep life interesting and it is ALWAYS with an audience of some sort. rc
Those "oh darn" moments do keep life interesting and it is ALWAYS with an audience of some sort. rc/trill
Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 1,737
Likes: 0
From: Republic of Texas
Here is where it plugs in, above the starter w/ the 2 prong plug.
And it comes out here looking like this.
And it comes out here looking like this.
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership
Brett Foote
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches
Pouria Savadkouei
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained
Brett Foote
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic 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
Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 19,098
Likes: 8
From: Great State of Texas
Even though I live in the DFW area I often used my block heater. Usually below 38 degrees. Mainly due to short (3 mile) drive to the office.
I used the Marinco plug for easy access. Check my gallery for more info.
https://www.ford-trucks.com/user_gal...&albumid=18820
I used the Marinco plug for easy access. Check my gallery for more info.
https://www.ford-trucks.com/user_gal...&albumid=18820
Junior User
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 69
Likes: 0
From: Anchorage, AK
I live in Alaska, and the rule up here is "Plug at 20". Meaning if it's 20 degrees or below you should plug in your vehicle. Of course, I believe they're talking about all vehicles. Up here not only diesels have them, but pretty much all vehicles. It makes a huge difference, because my first winter up here, I didn't have a block heater in either of my vehicles, but...now my wife and I have diesels, so of course they have them. But anyway...I just left them plugged in all night without a timer...didn't seem to hurt anything.
Elder User
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 528
Likes: 0
From: Lake of the Ozarks, MO
I have never really paid any attention to whether my truck has one or not, but I don't remember seeing it listed on the window sticker. Anyone know a part # and where to get that cord if I need to get one?
Junior User
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 69
Likes: 0
From: Anchorage, AK
Originally Posted by Mustangbru8
your electric bill probably took a nice hit though
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 388
Likes: 0
Take a few minutes and look at your truck thoroughly first before you contact the dealer about a plug/cord you may not need. I was flat out TOLD I didn't have one in my truck (by the dealer) and that I could have one installed. Had I not looked, and dropped the truck off, I could have been ripped off big time..
Originally Posted by jomac11
I have never really paid any attention to whether my truck has one or not, but I don't remember seeing it listed on the window sticker. Anyone know a part # and where to get that cord if I need to get one?