Anyone Use Their Engine Block Heater?

[KJRitchie]

Well its going to get down to 6F on Sunday morning. I've got a 2015 Ram 2500 Cummins. Should I plug in my engine block heater on Saturday before the temperatures plummet? I don't plan to drive the truck until Tuesday when the temperatures have come back up to the 40s but lows in the 20s.

Would the engine block heater being connected invite animals to seek shelter?

Kelvin

[Countryboy59]

Originally Posted by KJRitchie

Well its going to get down to 6F on Sunday morning. I've got a 2015 Ram 2500 Cummins. Should I plug in my engine block heater on Saturday before the temperatures plummet? I don't plan to drive the truck until Tuesday when the temperatures have come back up to the 40s but lows in the 20s.

Would the engine block heater being connected invite animals to seek shelter?

Kelvin

Plug it in about 4 hours before you need to drive it. Any more just runs up your electric bill.

[Al and Missy]

What Countryboy59 said. I'll plug mine in even when it is only in the low 40s to minimize stress on the battery and starter. The heaters run for 15 seconds or so and even then it cranks longer and slower when cold.

Al

[rastapoodle]

The cold will not hurt the engine. You are leaving after temperature warms up. The engine heater just heats up the coolant. You can always plug it in before you leave.

[caseywsj]

We use ours when up in Breckenridge in the winter. It routinely gets to 0, and often lower than that. Last year it was -16 over Christmas. Simple answer is that I use the block heater if it gets below 5 or so. It certainly helps at warmer temps, but I don't ever plug it in if in the 20's. Our old diesel MH wanted to be plugged in at anything in the 30's. it just made starting so much easier. The GMC HD really has no problem. The one thing I'd add is that we use an additive when up in the mountains to prevent diesel fuel gelling. We've had great success with Stanadyne products. I'd never heard about gelling until talking to friends up there. Sounded nasty, so we make sure we transition early to winter blends + extra additive.

[fairtheewell]

I use mine over night when it gets cold. I'm in Minnesota for reference for what cold means.

[tjdonahoe]

My new ram has straight 2 fuel ,parked in the shop at about 50 degrees and going to be --22 tonight, taking the wife to work early in the morning, now have 17" snow with some drifts on our county road..

[Trnpk Crsr]

You can always put a timer on the heater, so that it comes on just a few hours before you need to use the truck.

[Countryboy59]

Anything you can do to ease the workload of that heavy duty starter will pay off in the long run. Nothing sucks more than changing a diesel starter on a zero degree day. I even use the block heater on my gas truck.

[AtomicNo13]

I use mine!
I have a v10 gas engine which will start under any cold condition on its own... I just like the cabin heater working immediately.
like mentioned above a timer will get the effect you need in a couple hours without rinning up a big electric bill. I think my factory is 2500 watts! Thats a lot of electrical use! Make sure any extension cord is up to the task!

[paiceman]

I run my engine heater all the time in the winter when at home. The electric draw is minimal at best.

Bud

[Dexterpix]

Run it all the time below 32. I also have battery heaters, anything to lower the stress on cold days.
Mine and the trucks stress

[alantbird]

I used to go out when I got up and plugged mine in and in about 3 to 4 hours the intake heater would not even come on.

[tjdonahoe]

The new oils are a big help, including the sy ethics...

[SMLJeep]

Kevin,

I have the same truck as you and I never plug it in unless it is going to stay below 20 degrees all day and I need to use the truck. The glow plug will heat the engine with no issues at temps above 20 degrees.

[Ronwp]

Here In western Canada, there are times when plugging in the truck/car is a must however a couple of hours before it is needed is just fine most of the time, a timer is good if you know when you are leaving every day but if like me, I never know when I'm going to be needed, (hot shot delivery) I user a smart phone and remote control plug in. 20 minutes is usually enough most days

just google, : Orvibo Wi-Fi Smart Socket Outlet US Plug

[pappy19]

On any diesel engine when the temp gets below freezing, it doesn't hurt a thing to plug in the block heater. Having it plugged in does a number of good things. Warm engine starts easy and is easier on battery and parts. Warm engine gives you heater and defrost immediately.

[GatorDave]

Wouldn't hurt if you did, might if you don't

[MelGoddard]

Originally Posted by Countryboy59

Plug it in about 4 hours before you need to drive it. Any more just runs up your electric bill.

My F-150 had a black heater, doesn't do much.
It STILL takes about 5 km. To warm up enough to clear the windshield. That's why I put a frost shield over the window at night.
FORD (AND TOYOTA) REALLY NEED TO DO SOME WINTER RESEARCH ON WARMING UP A COLD ENGINE.
THEY NEED to talk to VOLVO!
(I have told them, but it"s talking to a wall; meaning there is truth in the saying: "You can always tell an Engineer, but you can't tell him anything!".😬

Trailer Trash. ........"

[StreamDog]

My owner's manual gave a recommendation of when to use the block heater. You might check yours.