Does block heater just help starting or does it also help save startup wear?
Thread Starter
|
Tuned
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 280
Likes: 6
From: Western NC
Does block heater just help starting or does it also help save startup wear?
I'm in NC and we get a few bouts of really cold weather but not too much. I'm just curious if it should even be a concern to plug my truck in unless we are into the teen's or colder? Any advantages in engine life with the oil being a little warmer during start up? My truck spent its life in GA and SC before I bought it 2 years ago and moved it to NC. I doubt it had ever been plugged in before me as I had to search forever to even find the cord to plug it in.
Postmaster
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 4,807
Likes: 125
From: Colorado Springs
Mike, everyone will have an opinion on this...
Should your truck start at those temps relatively easily, yes! Do you need to plug it in not really. I decided If it’s going to be 30* or less I plug it in for 4 hours on a timer. If it’s going to be single digits, I’ll leave it plugged in over night. It starts easier, warms up quicker, and IMO is just easier on the old dinosaur. There’s 4 gallons of oil and what 3 gallons of coolant that will be the ambient temperature when you start it. I’ll gladly pay the few dollars, if that, to save a bit of wear and tear on everything. Using a timer can make everything easier for plugging it in, I have mine shut off 15-30 minutes before I remote start it to prevent issues with the block heater.
Should your truck start at those temps relatively easily, yes! Do you need to plug it in not really. I decided If it’s going to be 30* or less I plug it in for 4 hours on a timer. If it’s going to be single digits, I’ll leave it plugged in over night. It starts easier, warms up quicker, and IMO is just easier on the old dinosaur. There’s 4 gallons of oil and what 3 gallons of coolant that will be the ambient temperature when you start it. I’ll gladly pay the few dollars, if that, to save a bit of wear and tear on everything. Using a timer can make everything easier for plugging it in, I have mine shut off 15-30 minutes before I remote start it to prevent issues with the block heater.
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 107
Likes: 1
From: Escondido, ca
The most ware on a engine is when it is below operating temperature. So having a warm engine when you start it in the morning will save some ware. I have my truck heater on a time that starts around 4am I normally start the engine around 6am. IN that two hour the oil temp is normally around 85 degrees. I do this for a few reasons and 1 is less ware on the engine components trying to make this engine go to 500000. 2nd easier to starter less stress on the starter and batteries, and 3rd helps me reach full temp before getting to work. I know my truck starts fine in the cold as I forget to hook it up at least once a every week or two. .
In the middle of summer when we can have outside temps in the 70s in the morning I often don't use the heater.
In the middle of summer when we can have outside temps in the 70s in the morning I often don't use the heater.
Tuned
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 436
Likes: 51
From: Southwest WA
The old "rule of thumb" used to be that each (summertime) "cold" start was equal to several hundreds of miles of continuous driving.
Below freezing start should be lot worse.
Your mileage may be different with modern low viscosity oils, new materials etc. etc.
But how many of us as a first owner or user, have actually worn out engine if following so-called sever duty maintenance schedule?
Below freezing start should be lot worse.
Your mileage may be different with modern low viscosity oils, new materials etc. etc.
But how many of us as a first owner or user, have actually worn out engine if following so-called sever duty maintenance schedule?
Elder User
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 718
Likes: 2
From: Chattanooga, TN
I sort of agree with all of the above I too leave mine plugged in for about 4 hours on a timer both summer and winter while using 5W40 synthetic during the winter months. Reason is that the engine comes up to temperature much quicker helping to reduce the wear; along with having your heater producing heat much quicker and not wasting fuel by being cold and not allowing the fuel to be burnt, hence some smoke at the exhaust. I also think this extends the life of the glow plugs since my GP led light does not stay on hardly at all. The OEM block heater is rated at 900 watts but they make one rated at 1500 watts with special installation instructions and will warm it up somewhat quicker. I know the GPs aren't expensive but access to them is no fun either, especially as one sees more years pass us by. As one said above, everyone will have an opinion on this and none of us probably have the absolute final answer. You know your truck better than anyone else, so it's up to you after considering everyone's response.
Good luck,
Larry (also AubieTN)
Good luck,
Larry (also AubieTN)
Trending Topics
Cargo Master
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 2,766
Likes: 56
From: East Tawas, MI
Being in Northern Michigan,
I plugged it in a few times on a timer in Jan, Feb. My electric bill skyrocketed on those months.
What I found that suited my style of when and how often I used the truck was to install a remote starter that you can program to start when the ambient temp you select activates it and runs it for 15 minutes. It would get it up to a decent temp and then shut down.
Was nice for me. I have no neighbors within ear shot.
Days I didn't plan on using the truck, I just pushed a button to cancel the operation or if plans changed initiated the sequence with a spare fob I have hanging from my window shade pull in the comfort of my home.
Not sure which was a cheaper way out, but it is an option. Especially for our southern members.
Denny
I plugged it in a few times on a timer in Jan, Feb. My electric bill skyrocketed on those months.
What I found that suited my style of when and how often I used the truck was to install a remote starter that you can program to start when the ambient temp you select activates it and runs it for 15 minutes. It would get it up to a decent temp and then shut down.
Was nice for me. I have no neighbors within ear shot.
Days I didn't plan on using the truck, I just pushed a button to cancel the operation or if plans changed initiated the sequence with a spare fob I have hanging from my window shade pull in the comfort of my home.
Not sure which was a cheaper way out, but it is an option. Especially for our southern members.
Denny
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
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
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
Logistics Pro
Joined: May 2017
Posts: 4,667
Likes: 1,455
From: Muskogee, Ok
I try and remember to plug it in on the timer when temps will be below 40, helps defrost ice on the winshields much faster. When i forget it starts fine, just doesn't blow warmer than ambient air for about the same time it takes me to scrape all the windows off. Below about 10* is where i notice a big difference in startup clatter.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 3,609
Likes: 324
From: Arizona
The block heater is rated at 1,000 watts so figuring out how much it will cost you is easy. Just find your cost of electricity per kWh (kilowatt-hour) and multiply by how many hours since 1,000 watts is 1kWh so 4 hours at the average US kWh cost of 13.9 cents would cost you roughly 56 cents per day, a coffee costs more than that. In Alaska it would cost you 90 cents a day but everything costs more in Alaska even coffee. Hawaii would cost you $1.31 a day but who needs a block heater in HI? https://www.electricchoice.com/elect...ices-by-state/
(Those rates supposedly include taxes and other charges)
(Those rates supposedly include taxes and other charges)
Postmaster
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 4,807
Likes: 125
From: Colorado Springs
The block heater is rated at 1,000 watts so figuring out how much it will cost you is easy. Just find your cost of electricity per kWh (kilowatt-hour) and multiply by how many hours since 1,000 watts is 1kWh so 4 hours at the average US kWh cost of 13.9 cents would cost you roughly 56 cents per day, a coffee costs more than that. In Alaska it would cost you 90 cents a day but everything costs more in Alaska even coffee. Hawaii would cost you $1.31 a day but who needs a block heater in HI? https://www.electricchoice.com/elect...ices-by-state/
(Those rates supposedly include taxes and other charges)
(Those rates supposedly include taxes and other charges)
Well put, most people spend more money on coffee.
Or beer!
Cargo Master
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 2,332
Likes: 442
From: Eastern Washington
I use the same basic rules as Colorado.... below freezing = 4hrs on a timer, below 20 = plug in overnight.
Having lived in Alaska and Hawaii, I can say I never noticed a significant difference on my Electric bill in Alaska from pluging in my truck. It was usually about $250 Electric/$250 Gas in the winter.
Gotta love Oregons $.07/kwhr
Having lived in Alaska and Hawaii, I can say I never noticed a significant difference on my Electric bill in Alaska from pluging in my truck. It was usually about $250 Electric/$250 Gas in the winter.
Gotta love Oregons $.07/kwhr
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 1,365
Likes: 179
From: Phenix City, AL
Funny-ish story. Was down to about 32* last night and I knew I was driving the Ex in today so I plugged it in. This morning I go to start knowing it was plugged in all night, so didn’t wait for the glow plugs to heat up. She started with some protest, but I put it down to not having driven it in about three weeks. Took forever to warm up and give me some heat. Also ran a touch rough the first 10 miles to work. Right as rain after that. I thought maybe the block heater was fried.
On the drive home running smooth as silk at 65* OAT, I remembered that the other end of the extension cord wasn’t plugged in. Doh!
On the drive home running smooth as silk at 65* OAT, I remembered that the other end of the extension cord wasn’t plugged in. Doh!
Lead Driver
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 8,259
Likes: 346
From: Northern California
my rule of thumb is when it gets down to the 39* I turn the heater in the shop up to 60* because I hate being cold and if I hate it, my Excursion hates it. thats our relationship and I like to keep her happy. 