What is your insight about engine block heaters? Brand? Type? I've been thinking about it for my 2000 Honda Civic LX because I live in Michigan and it gets rather cold in the winter. I know that I don't need one but I figured it would help my car warm up faster for better MPG and it would be easier on the engine on those 0 degree mornings.
Michigan! Yes, you need one! Your engine FWT starting at 70° to 100° in the morning instead of <50° is going to help your mpg efficiency several percent per each starting commute.
I agree. My morning commutes are on average 3 mpg lower than the afternoon return trip, even though the morning drive is the downhill direction.
I use one all year in Northern Indiana. I have it on a timer and set it for 3 hours or so before I'm going to leave. Since the heater is only 400W, if you go much longer than 3 -5 hours there won't be anymore additional temperature rise by leaving it on longer. Someone once did the math on electric use vs. fuel use and it seems like it was a net gain to use the block heater.
I would look for the type that installs in the block. I usualy hear them refered to as Frost-Plug heaters. google frost plug heater to see what I am talking about.
That is what I was talking about. interesting the read the 1 review on that heater. the guy reviewing it is using it to boost his FE also. it was Many years ago when I helped a friend install one. the install was easy, getting the OEM frost plug out took the longest. the OEM frost plug was a sheet mettle cap pressed into the hole in the block. It had no way to grab it to remove it. We punched a screwdriver through the plug praying we did not knock the plug into the engine. Then used the hole for a place to grab it and pry it out. The heater looked a lot like that one. The heating element went through a rubber plug with washers on both sides. Tightening a nut caused the washers to drawn together, causing the rubber plug to bulge and lock it’s self in place. You could always check with a local shop to see how much they would charge for a plug and install. It may not be to expensive to have someone install.
I would say anytime the temp drops below 55-60. Pretty much every morning where you are. You will probably adjust the timer for shorter heating, but still use it.
Personally, I would use Scangauge data and electricity cost to work out where the economic benefit is. At some temperature it'll cost more to run the heater than the fuel savings. Wild guess: somewhere in the 60F range.
Ok, Thanks Sounds like it would be running most mornings then if we're talking 60F range. (I'm not all that worried about electric bill cost considering I don't pay the bills. But I will still be conscious of it.)
I just started using a block heater last fall, every morning almost without fail, employing a 7 day timer. I'm thinking to continue using it thus year round, though I might drop the time it's on from the current 2 hours to 1 hour, once we're really into summer. Our price per kilowatt hour is around 8~10 cents I think, and with a 400 watt block heater on for 2 hours, that's 400/1000 times 10 (cents) times 2 (hours), or about 8 cents per day. There are other benefits to block heater besides improving mileage, increased comfort, and reduced engine wear.
Good points. I had forgotten my car even has a heater. I just bundle up like I'm going to be outside for 1/2 hour.
