tdoggydog Posted December 20, 2007 Share Posted December 20, 2007 Just saw a thread on NASIOC about the lowest temperatures their cars have experienced, and got to thinking...is an engine block heater a good idea for those days of freezing cold starts? Any thoughts? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
STG Posted December 20, 2007 Share Posted December 20, 2007 I haven't experienced the need for a block heater in Cody, Wyoming. Chances are you won't need one in Orange County, California. During the past two winters, my car has sat outside cold-soaking in -10 to 0 F weather for over eight hours on numerous occasions. Starting has never been a problem. I've always used Mobil1 5w-30 in my Subaru except for one fill of Valvoline 5w-30 synthetic and one fill of Q Horsepower 5W-30 synthetic with I picked up at O'Reilly's when they had a 100% rebate special. As long as you're running a 5w-XX oil, you'll be fine. Mobil 1 0W-40 is supposed to be very good. When it gets cold, I let my car idle for a couple of minutes and then drive off keeping the rpm and speed low until everything warms up. I do not let the car idle for 10 or fifteen minutes and then take of because the transmission, diffs and other bits will be stone-cold. I've never even used the block heater on my Powerstroke Diesel in similar conditions. I use Delvac 1 5w-40 Synthetic (Mobil1 for Turbo Diesel Trucks) in my F250. The difference a synthetic oil makes during freezing starts is most apparent in diesel engines with 15qt. sumps. Several times, I was parked next to another F250 Powerstroke and both trucks were started at the same. Mine always started quicker and runs smoother while the truck with dino 10w-30 or God forbid 15W-40 cranks and cranks, followed by bucking, romping and smoke. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigBad Posted December 20, 2007 Share Posted December 20, 2007 Here in the Northeast it can get pretty cold as well and I have not seen the need for an engine block heater. I agree with STG, running 5w-30 is a must. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rao Posted December 20, 2007 Share Posted December 20, 2007 Unless you can walk to the Arctic Circle (from where your car is parked) ; you don't need one Seriously, unless you regularly see -20F and below temps you don't need one. And according to Vimy with Global Warming no one will need one soon Rob IF YOU CARE ABOUT YOUR CAR YOU SHOULD NEVER DRIVE IT Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RangerMan Posted December 20, 2007 Share Posted December 20, 2007 I lived in Rochester NY and outside Detroit MI and never needed a block heater... One would have been nice though...but that would just be to have HEAT sooner than 20 minutes into my commute. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
darren94 Posted December 20, 2007 Share Posted December 20, 2007 I use 5w30 year round with summer temps near 100 and winter mostly in the teens. I know that i am good for the winter with this oil but, should i be using another weight oil in the summer? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deer Killer Posted December 20, 2007 Share Posted December 20, 2007 10w40 is good for down to 0F. IMHO anyone with any bit of tune shouldn't be running 5w30, that's more for economy than the engine. RTFM Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Montana Posted December 20, 2007 Share Posted December 20, 2007 With my carb'd vehicles I used to plug in at work and at home I set a timer for an hour warm up in the mornings. You don't really need engine heaters with electronic ignition and fuel injection engines. Last winter we hit -24F and the Subies started just fine. But the drivetrain takes the strain if you don't warm things up a bit, and try not to kick in the turbo hard for the first few miles. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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