this post was submitted on 21 Jan 2024
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Yeah I have actually been kind of baffled no one else mentioned these, are conventional engine heaters not a thing outside scandinavia?
Are engine block heaters being confused for pre-heating the cabin? Because we have block heaters too.
There's a separate cabin heater which is connected to the same circuit as the block heater.
A few years ago, Ford was offering an optional electric heating element in the cabin heater of their pickups, because it would warm up much faster than the coolant would (especially if it has a diesel). I wonder if they still do that, because it seems like a nice touch and something that could be used this way, too. (I haven't watched the video.)
That’s super cool!
You can get in engine block heaters that heat the water jacket of the engine in the US and Canada. Or you can get an in-line coolant heater also. I haven't seen a oil pan heater in 40 years. They aren't really a need anymore with 0-30W engine oils anymore.
A block heater will set you back about $120US installed at your local repair station. The in-line coolant heater is some cheaper being only about $75US installed. They both work off of common 115/120V/15A power. No fixed install required for either. At worst you will need to buy an extension cord of the proper gauge. Maybe another $50US. This is well below the costs you cite.
Just go to your local auto parts store and ask for one. They will hook you up.
Besides diesels, they're almost unheard of in the US. At least in the continental states; they might have them in the nastier parts of Alaska. Even there, a lot of the places where people actually live don't get that cold. Anchorage has an average low of -10C in January, which is cold, but not crazy cold.
Ah OK, I would have expected it to be quite a lot colder than that.
They are. It's just most urban people don't bother with them anymore because the electronic ignitions and fuel injectors make ICE engines very reliable starters even in quite cold weather. My, now eight year old vehicles, still start reliably at -40F even parked outside because I know I will be faced with those temperatures every year and I keep them well repaired to handle that.
Mostly you will see block heaters on diesels and older unreliable cars. And yes, they do work very well and are a cheap insurance policy for getting your car started.