Engine block heater

[Rayme]

To the OP, I wouldn't worry too much. I started my FR-S a few times now at -20c and it's by far the easiest car I ever had to start with the stock 0w20 oil, it just spins like it's 20c. That synthetic oil works really well.

Another thing I noticed, is that even though we have very harsh and cold winter, where we get -20 celcius weather often during winter (-4 F), the cars here all easily last over 300 000 KM+...so I don't know where all the myths about cold engine starts comes from, maybe in theory, but in practice engines really are that tough...and cold starting engine in the cold even without block heater don't seem to have as much effect as we think on overall engine wear and longevity.

[Trobinson]

Hi there, new member from northern Ontario, redlake. Used to live in Toronto and didnt know what block heaters were because... You don't need them! I don't plug my vehicle ( not an frs yet) in until its getting lower than minus 25 at night. When I forget at minus 45 I have to steal my girlfriends vehicle to get to work before she wakes. Synthetic oil, and letting the car run for not even a minute will be enough. Running for any longer is just gonna make it nicer to sit in. Engine will be fine.

Edit: ofcourse my battery has 850 cca.

[wparsons]

One thing to remember is that a block heater heats up the oil, but heat is provided by the coolant. Doesn't matter how hot the oil is, if the coolant is still at -5 the air in the cabin won't be warm.

[Slick]

Originally Posted by wparsons

One thing to remember is that a block heater heats up the oil, but heat is provided by the coolant. Doesn't matter how hot the oil is, if the coolant is still at -5 the air in the cabin won't be warm.

How does a block heater heat the oil?
A block heater heats the coolant as it is generally installed in a frost plug location which is where coolant flows. An inline block heater is installed in the coolant lines, but most factory units are installed in the frost plug location.