Engine Warmer - How many people use it?

[Skeeterjack]

Used mine for the first time in 4yrs, when the temp dropped below freezing. I like to think it helped but it was there so i used it.

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[Karl_in_Chicago]

I find it odd that on B6G the common consensus is …

”I spent an extra $35,000 on my Bronco in order to get heated seats and heated steering wheel, those are MUST HAVE options”

Who spent an extra $35K on heated seats . . . and may I please have that mailing list?

 

[Chrome_Pony]

Block heaters usually replace a freeze plug, and warm the coolant prior to starting. As the engine does not require warm coolant to start, and the viscosity of the coolant does not change significantly with the cold, it mostly ends up speeding up personal comfort. Warm oil is the primary engine longevity item versus warm coolant.

Truly effective heating is applied to oil bearing areas, oilpan, trans sump, t-case, and battery. You'll see often see "Fairbanks" style heaters in Alaska, where heating pads are adhered to the battery, OEM engine block heater and oilpan/trans pads and all wired to an odd looking receptacle box under hood, something like this:

Long streaks of negative temps, I'd plug it it in, some benefit is better than none, but you could be doing a bit more for engine longevity with a pad heater (though you might want to switch the Bronco to some non polymer pans first, heh)

Source: Alaskan.

 

[crashmtb]

To be clear, I wasn't complaining about whatever the extra cost was of the engine block heater. I was just asking how many people are actually using it outside of those individuals who live in really cold climates where temps regularly drop below -0F.

After all, if we are going to be completely honest here, most people aren't going to exploit the full off-road capability of this vehicle anyway, so if anyone is going to complain about features that they aren't going to use, the vehicle in itself is overkill for most as opposed to an engine block heater.

One perspective I got from the responses is that if nothing else, while I may not benefit me from aiding engine starting in extreme cold, it would help to get heat sooner as opposed to opening my garage, remote starting it and having it run for ten minutes.

Again, I wasn't complaining. Just seeking to get perspective on usage.

If you want to get engine heat sooner, get in your truck and drive it. Idling when really cold is about the worst thing you can do for an engine.

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