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Hay I have a quick question regarding the use of the block heater.
Should I use the block heater or is a waste of time? I was told two different things by two different mechanics.
The first one said there is know sense using it unless it goes below -35
the second ones said I might as well use it since it has it.

Your thoughts :blink:
Canadian ST,Jan 21 2008, 09:18 AM Wrote:Hay I have a quick question regarding the use of the block heater.
Should I use the block heater or is a waste of time? I was told two different things by two different mechanics.
The first one said there is know sense using it unless it goes below -35
the second ones said I might as well use it since it has it.

Your thoughts :blink:
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The way I look at it Why would you let the car get dead cold when you dont have to. Starting a car when the engine and its oil is set cold is harder then starting it with a warm engine and not cold set oil.

But yes on the other hand u really dont need it unless it goes below around -30. At least thats when they reccomend you use it.

I use it if it goes past -10. It just helps it start better when its not frozen. Plus you get heat faster. I say if its there use it.
Go ahead, use it. If, as Mason says, it'll warm up the car faster. However, you can use synthetic oil and that won't thicken in the cold, so you won't have to worry about starting the car. I've used synthetic for a while and never had any problems in the cold (other than not having heated seats) :lol: Maybe our experts in the Prairies will give us the lowdown on COLD WEATHER starting. We don't get really cold here in Southern Ontario.
As a Prairie resident, I use mine as soon as it's below -10. I also use synthetic oil. It just starts better and I don't have to wait for it to warm no more 10 minutes if it has been really cold..... like it has been here lately.
I always did, I can't see the harm in keeping the oil warm. I used to plug it in over nite, ideally you put the extension cord on a timer so it kicks on 2hrs before you need it. Otherwise it cycles on and off overnite, no issues if it does.
Normally I do, but I haven't since last year. I have Q Full Synthetic in right now, and its started every day unplugged, even in the -40 we've been hitting as of late
my turbo focus wouldn't start in the cold without it and i usally hook my daily driver up over night and it warms up nicely in the moring so i don't freeze because i hate driving with a jacket

so do it whats the worse thing that can happen
i plug mine as well.....+ running synthetic Royal Purple
its there use it. it doesnt hurt
faster_than_u,Jan 31 2008, 08:29 PM Wrote:its there use it. it doesnt hurt
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That's what I tell my wife :D
I don't drive my focus in the winter. So I took the f**ker right out!
oldeguy,Jan 31 2008, 10:04 PM Wrote:
faster_than_u,Jan 31 2008, 08:29 PM Wrote:its there use it. it doesnt hurt
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That's what I tell my wife :D
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i also tell my gf that. but its like the battery dies when plugged in and will not start. but if you unplug it let it get cold it will fire right up(without charging the bat) its a 93 mazda by the way.
ZX3_2NV,Jan 22 2008, 01:16 PM Wrote:my turbo focus wouldn't start in the cold without it and i usally hook my daily driver up over night and it warms up nicely in the moring so i don't freeze because i hate driving with a jacket

so do it whats the worse thing that can happen
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My turbo focus has been siting since October, I went and started it right before I came to calgary. Slapped the battery in, started on 1st shot. B)

No block heater used.