Most vehicles are built to withstand winter climates, but that doesn’t mean your vehicle will thrive when the temperatures sink well below freezing. In fact, starting your vehicle during extremely frigid weather can be a challenge, and no one wants to deal with that kind of uncertainty on a chilly morning. The good news is that those who must brave the cold can give their trusty vehicle a much-needed boost when the mercury drops. By installing an engine block heater, you can preheat your engine before attempting to crank it. This not only increases your chances of getting a clear start immediately, but also helps prevent excessive wear and tear on key components, such as your pistons, battery, starter, and starter solenoid. Below, we discuss everything you need to know about engine block heaters, how they work, when you may need one, why you should get one, and how difficult it is to install one.
What Is an Engine Block Heater?
While not necessarily representative of cutting-edge automotive technology, the engine block heater is a useful tool that makes starting your vehicle easier on cold mornings and protects your engine’s vital systems. It’s a simple piece of equipment designed solely to raise the temperature of your engine block and internal fluids before starting your vehicle. While all internal combustion engines can benefit from using an engine block heater in frigid temperatures, they are especially beneficial if your vehicle depends on diesel fuel.
The beauty of the engine block heater is its simplicity, as it’s purely analog in its application. It has one job: to preheat the thick metal engine block and the fluids within it. The primary goal is to warm the oil so that its viscosity returns to normal, making starting easier. It also warms other fluids above cold ambient temperatures, improving performance and efficiency. An engine block heater typically consists of an electrical warming element, a power cord to supply it, and an electrical connection.
How Does an Engine Block Heater Work?
How an engine block heater works depends largely on the style of device you select. The simplest engine block heaters are essentially plug-in heating blankets for the engine block. More advanced engine block heating systems include components that ensure the vehicle’s primary systems are ready to run during cold weather.
There are several types of engine block heaters currently in use, but they all serve the same purpose by warming the engine and essential fluids in the vehicle to operational temperatures before the engine is started. There are freeze plug heaters that replace the standard equipment in the engine, warming the block from the inside out to ensure the coolant remains in its liquid phase. Some systems rely on inline heaters embedded in the radiator hose to accomplish the same goal. The oil is often heated using a heater inserted into the vehicle’s oil pan. Alternatively, there are magnetic heaters that attach to the outside of the oil pan and use magnets to warm the oil indirectly. There are even easy-to-use dipstick heaters that go through the dipstick tube to reach the oil pan.
Why Do You Need an Engine Block Heater?
One of the prime reasons for those tough December and January starts has little to do with the engine itself and more to do with the oil that lubricates every moving piece of your vehicle’s motor. Oil has a higher viscosity compared to other fluids commonly used in automobiles. That simply means that, although it’s a fluid, it’s much thicker than water or coolant in terms of viscosity.
Unlike water, oil usually won’t freeze when exposed to harsh cold, though its viscosity increases dramatically as the mercury plummets. It thickens and loses some of its lubricating properties within the cylinder head, becoming a hindrance to smooth engine operation and making it more difficult for the engine to turn over during attempts to start. Warming the cold, viscous oil coating the cylinder walls and piston heads reduces resistance, making the difference between an easy, hassle-free start and multiple battery-draining, system-straining turnover attempts.
Another secondary benefit of using an engine block heater involves your vehicle’s fuel. At extremely cold temperatures, gasoline may not vaporize as efficiently as it does at temperatures closer to the standard operating range for your vehicle. If the fuel in the cylinder is pre-warmed before a starting attempt, it is more likely to vaporize fully, which can make starting easier. It also adds the benefit of improved fuel efficiency, since the engine will reach its standard operating temperature more quickly while producing fewer emissions.
One final benefit of using an engine block heater is related to your comfort. Because the climate control systems in most modern vehicles rely on the engine to produce heat that is directed back into the cabin, the interior of your vehicle will remain cold until the engine reaches its operating temperature. Pre-warming the block means your car will not only start faster, but it will reach its operating temperature more quickly. The result is a warmer cabin in less time, letting you shed the cold and get comfortable in short order.
When Do You Need an Engine Block Heater?
If you live in a warm, balmy climate where temperatures rarely dip below zero, an engine block heater may not be critical equipment for your vehicle. However, if you routinely operate your vehicle when the weather outside is frightful, an engine block heater can be a worthwhile investment that will pay for itself in reduced frustration and decreased damage to your car’s critical systems.
Your vehicle may need an engine block heater if winter temperatures where you drive consistently fall below zero and remain there for extended periods, especially if temperatures between five and ten degrees Fahrenheit are the norm. If you reside in a climate where temperatures rarely get into the single digits but often drop below 32 degrees Fahrenheit, an engine block heater may not be required equipment. However, having one can expedite vehicle ignition and offer the benefits of smooth, expedited starting.
Is It Hard to Install an Engine Block Heater?
Depending on your vehicle and the type of engine block heater selected, the installation difficulty can range from simple to complex. For example, if you’re using an engine warming blanket, simply pop the hood, wrap the blanket around the engine block, and plug it in. However, more complex, multi-component systems may require some degree of mechanical know-how, though again, the degree of difficulty varies.
One factor that can affect difficulty is the type of vehicle you own. Compact cars with packed engine compartments offer little room to work, and removing components and navigating the tight spaces can prove difficult for someone lacking specialized equipment and knowledge. Engine block heater installation on vehicles with larger engine compartments and adequate ground clearance may prove easier.
If you’re handy and want to try installing components like an inline warmer and a magnetic oil pan warmer, there’s a good chance you can do it without any issues. However, the installation of more complex engine block heaters that require removing freeze plugs or exhaust manifolds may be better left to expert mechanics.
Stay Warm This Winter by Installing an Engine Block Heater
Whether or not it makes sense to install an engine block heater on your vehicle depends on your driving habits and the climate in which you live. However, if you must regularly start your car in the frigid cold, there’s little doubt that you could benefit from adding this piece of critical equipment to your car.
Adding an engine block heater will save you the shivers of getting into a cold vehicle while protecting your car from the damage that results from frequent cold starts throughout the winter. It’ll result in quicker starts, reduced engine damage, improved fuel efficiency, and faster cabin warming. If you ask your vehicle to brave the frozen tundra and its subzero temperatures for months at a time, installing any type of engine block heater can help ensure your vehicle makes it through to see another winter.