Car Engine Heater Views

General Goods

When thermometer readings reach near or below freezing, starting a car can be difficult. Fluids in the car (particularly the oil) thicken in cold weather. That can mean that the engine won't have proper lubrication when a driver tries to start it. At best, that can make the car sluggish to start. At worst, it could lead to catastrophic engine failure. An engine block heater can warm the fluids.

There are several types of block heaters, and some are easier to install than others. Dipstick heaters are among the simplest. Remove the oil dipstick and insert the heater. External magnetic heaters are also easy to use; magnets hold them to the engine. There are bolt-on heaters, and the installation varies from engine to engine. In-line heaters require splicing into the coolant hose. Engines can also be equipped with frost plug heaters, which replace the car's existing frost plug, and that is a simple process.

Studies have shown that an engine block heater reaches its peak effectiveness at four hours. After that time, more energy usage results in no increased heating. Using a timer can help to save energy and still have a warm engine at starting time. Just set the timer to turn on three to four hours before the car will be started.

Car engine heater sparks blaze in Summitville MAMAKATING — A house in the hamlet of Summitville burned to the ground Wednesday morning after a car parked underneath the homeo’s deck burst into flames and set the deck and the sides of the house on fire. Read more on Middletown Times Herald-Record