Quote:
Originally Posted by rscurtis
My signature car has no block heater and I don't give it a second thought. It starts easily in any weather I'll encounter in S. Central PA. With the proper oil and an engine in good shape, you really don't need it.
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Two points, your sig car has 126k miles, I have one with 110k, not everyone is as fortunate as us. I don't foresee my car being quite so enthusiastic in the depths of winter when it has double the miles.
The question isn't just whether it starts, but also engine wear. Cold starts in general are the major source of wear in most motors (that are otherwise well maintained) and anything you can do to make things easier in extreme cold weather is generally a good idea.
So I always vote for some form of heat, whether a block heater or a lower rad hose heater (less effective but still better than nothing).
Also a good idea, particularly if the battery isn't new, is a battery heating pad or blanket, to ensure you get the maximum cranking ooomph on cold mornings.