Quick Question to the Car people here on ATOT..

[IamDavid]

This is a stupid question but my car has a cord coming out of the front end. Its to plug into a home outlet. What does it do? I have had the car for a few years and never plugged it in but it has bothered me not to know.

 

[Nohr]

Isn't that for warming up the engine in cold weather?

 

[Beau]

Probably an engine block/oil pan heater.

 

[MomAndSkoorbaby]

Yup, engine block heater.

Growing up, we always had to plug our cars in at night to keep them from freezing!

 

[CraigRT]

Block heater.. best thing evAr!
got out to my car today with a foot of snow on it.. opened the door and started it up like it was summer.
put on the defroster and it was melting snow within seconds. if you are in a cold climate, don't hesitate to use that thing... SO helpful!

 

[Radiohead]

Can you buy block heaters and add them on to a car without one?

 

[IamDavid]

Sweet, thanks guys.. I live in Iowa so this thing will come in handy. To bad I didn't ask years ago. lol

 

[Beau]

Originally posted by: Radiohead
Can you buy block heaters and add them on to a car without one?

yup. They usually are either magnetic and attach to the outside of your block, or are dipsticks and replace your regular oil dipstick.

 

[thebestMAX]

Tank Heaters really work a lot better.

Warms up the coolant and hence the oil and engine block. Instant heat also. They splice into your heater hoses. Pretty cheap too.

Used to live in Montana and at -35 or worse you really need one overnight especially if you dont have a garage. I didnt.