mtn wrote: I'm considering a dipstick style heater for my beater accord--putting it in the transmission dipstick. The thing drives so much better when the transmission is warm.
Why not one of the stick-on pad heaters on the trans pan? Probably more effective (heats from the bottom up) and doesn't require removing the dipstick.
This is how we did it in Northern Ontario.We didnt have a warm garage. If we let them sit overnight the oil would be so cold it needed time to warm up before circulating and would destroy its inners. We also ran the exhaust close to the fuel tank to keep it from gelling.
The gas cars all got plugged in at 30 or so. Keeps the cabin warm and instant heat when you drove off.
Most wear on the engine is during startup.
Huckleberry wrote: Better start them now and just leave them running until spring!
In reply to carzan:
Sorry - should have clarified. My TDI has an aftermarket coolant heater that is piped inline with one of the heater hoses. I installed it at 100k miles when I did the first timing belt, since I had the coolant drained anyway. Like I said, it starts fine without it, but it's happier and puts out heat sooner if I plug it in.
I suppose it's worth noting, my 12V didn't have glow plugs. That era of Cummins uses an air heater on the intake. I'm not sure if newer Cummins are similar.
well, the coolant in the block was at 105 this morning from the heater. it did warm up quicker than usual.
mtn wrote: I'm also considering a block heater for my MIL's car. Not that it gets *that* cold, but she has MS and the cold has a huge negative affect on her.
Think about aftermarket heated seat inserts too. Excellent for quick warmth and particularly nice for body aches and pains.
I can't help you on the grill cover. I've never used one on the PowerStroke or the 12v Cummins that preceded it. I plug the truck in if temps are expected to be below freezing when I leave in the morning. That's really more for my comfort than the trucks. I've started the PowerStroke in -30F weather without it having been plugged in. It didn't like it but it started.
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