Engine Warmer - How many people use it?

[GoHawks63]

Hi all,

I searched and didn't find any topics on this. My WT (new leftover 2024) came with the engine warmer. It wasn't a feature I was really looking for, but the rig had the options and color I wanted so it was what it was. It's not something I would've added on it if I built the rig and special ordered it.

My overall thoughts on them is that they are useful if you live in REALLY COLD areas and especially if the truck sits outside, but I live in southeast Michigan where it can get cold (like below 0F) maybe a few nights during the winter, but usually not anything really prolonged. Not to mention that my cars are garaged and only sit outside during the day while at work.

Never had a need for them in the nearly 50 years of vehicle ownership living both in the Chicago area and Michigan.

I do remember times when I was in my 20s where we would occasionally get cold snaps where the high temps struggled to get above -10F and during those times the cars would be hard to start because the oil would get thick, but today's oils are so lightweight that I would imagine that is less of an issue.

The way I see it, I'll probably never use the feature, but thought I would ask.

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[MNBigfoot]

I'm in MN, if it's -20 or colder I plug my truck in, not necessary what so ever.

 

[BigFootie]

At one point in time, my 2006 Escape sat out every night in Wisconsin winters. I used it all the time and it helped a lot. It started much easier in the morning than it did while sitting at work during the day for 9 hours. If I thought my vehicle had to start in the middle of January while sitting overnight outside, I’d add it for sure to my order. It’s low cost, easy to use or not use. Only issue is having to get down to plug in or unplug.

 

[Montana Bronco]

I live in Montana at 7,500 feet above sea level and I use it all the time.

 

[Brian_B]

I remember needing them on a diesel car we had. But that's a bit different.

It probably is a good idea on an engine, especially when it's WTF COLD outside. But I don't think it's required; I'm not aware of any minimum outdoor temperature requirements for operation (although I would not be surprised if one existed somewhere, there has to be a limit after all).

 

[Poppavein]

It will help your engine warm up faster. Perhaps this will help longevity a little.

 

[EasternSierra]

I'm in interior California where at worst it gets just a little below freezing, but nearby mountains get snow and cold. I wouldn't ever be using it at home, only on the road on winter trips.

I considered the engine block heater for trips to cold places, but decided (if I did get it) that I might end up using it only a few nights over the life of the vehicle. In our local mountains, I don't ever see people using them at our mountain motels, and I don't think those motels typically provide outside outlets for their use. Temperatures up there can get below zero (F) but not all that often, and I'm unlikely to be traveling in especially cold weather.

I ended up not including the heater in my ordered configuration because it would be one more potential leak point in the cooling system. YMMV depending on where you live and your expected use case.

 

[MNBronc]

I used it last week when it was about -10 deg F. Had it plugged in about 2 hours- I think Ford says 3 hours it gets to temp and doesn't need longer than that.
The oil temp gauge said 12 deg F when I started it up.
I think the Bronco heats up kind of slowly so it helped with that timing.

 

[TeocaliMG]

I ordered mine with it, Michigan isnt even super cold, but I always had them on the diesel pickups and tractors. Obviously, the Bronco doesn't need it to start, but I like using it generally when its below freezing to get whatever little benefit I can get from minimizing running time at sub optimal oil temp. Don't have any data to show that matters, but I like it.

Edit: I don't have any data that its necessary and you will destroy your engine without it, but it is indisputable that having a warmer engine upon startup will experience less wear, and less fuel consumption than remote starting. Both of these are arguably inconsequential, but so is $100 on a 50k+ bronco.

Also, I wouldn't recommend it without a convenient place to plug in, and without relocating the plug itself. OEM install required opening the hood. I relocated to hang just behind the bumper (not below)

 

[LSW]

If you’re using a 5W oil it probably isn’t necessary until you get to about -10F, and that’s assuming the oil has “slipped” a winter grade in service. It’s rated to be thin enough to start down to about -20F. -30F if you use 0W. That’s with no preheating.

As long as the oil is thin enough so that the starter can turn the engine over and the oil pump can pump it, preheating isn’t necessary. If those two things can happen the wear from a cold start shouldn’t be any worse than the wear from any other start.

 

[Montana Bronco]

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”

and now this thread…

”spending $100 on an engine block heater, that will also warm up the seat and steering wheel, is an absolute waste of money”.

I started my $26K Base the other day at -28F and warm air was blowing immediately because I plugged it in.

#Winning

 

[Ducati1098]

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”

and now this thread…

”spending $100 on an engine block heater, that will also warm up the seat and steering wheel, is an absolute waste of money”.

I started my $26K Base the other day at -28F and warm air was blowing immediately because I plugged it in.

#Winning

How does a block heater have anything to do with warming up the seats or the steering wheel lol

 

[Montana Bronco]

Blows hot air into the interior of the vehicle. Try it sometime, works great. Main reason I plug it in almost every night.

 

[Ducati1098]

Blows hot air into the interior of the vehicle. Try it sometime, works great. Main reason I plug it in almost every night.

Yeah because that works as well as the heated seats and steering wheel
If you're just going to use the HVAC, just remote start it

 

[GoHawks63]

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”

and now this thread…

”spending $100 on an engine block heater, that will also warm up the seat and steering wheel, is an absolute waste of money”.

I started my $26K Base the other day at -28F and warm air was blowing immediately because I plugged it in.

#Winning

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.

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