Block heater / Ambient Air Temperature

[jonathancasey19]

Any need to really plug the truck in when it's say 33 degrees outside? Regardless, none of the fluids in the truck are going to freeze; but, it does seem to help the truck start "easier". Thankfully, my location is not exposed to those arctic temperatures. Still like to avoid cold starts when available.

Thanks

 

[Bryce418]

I plug min in every night and have a timer that turns on mon-fri from 3am to 8am. I don't need to but it's nice to have almost immediate heat.

 

[OldBlue56]

The updated block heater cord you can get from GM doesn't even activate until it is 0* F, so no there is no real need to at 33 degrees, but like you say it is easier on the motor and gets you cab heat much quicker in my opinion. I do the same thing as Bryce418 with the timer.

 

[Harbin_22]

My 2010 heats whenever I plug it in. It doesn't hurt anything but the electric bill

 

[Porno Joe]

You dont even need a timer running for 5 hours. I have mine set for 2 hours and thats plenty.

I'm with you though, it was like 25 here today, my truck is in a garage(not constant heat though) and I still plug it in. runs so much better after beign plugged in than when i get in it after work when its cold

 

[jdlover1]

I"ve never plugged mine in. Mainly since i saw in the op manuel that you only need to plug it in at 0degrees or below. I just let it run for about 8-10mins before i leave to go to work in the morning.

 

[Pipedreams]

I'm up in Canada and I plug mine in all the time. Below 0C which is about 32F I plug it in. Like it was mentioned... heats faster and it's just easier on things. My truck has 324km on it so I try to give her a good life. I also find with plugging it in I let it idle for only a min or 2 just to get the oil flowing before I can drive it. Much less idle time!

ps. I'm a bit over anal on things but I think even just pluggin it in at -10c would be good enough.

 

[Bryce418]

I"ve never plugged mine in. Mainly since i saw in the op manuel that you only need to plug it in at 0degrees or below. I just let it run for about 8-10mins before i leave to go to work in the morning.

The reason they don't recommend the block heater above 0* is the sensor logic for the ect performance code. I turned off the code via efi.

 

[jdlover1]

Oh ok. I didnt know that.

 

[coldLBZ]

I don't plug mine in until about 0F (-18C) give or take. On my truck anyway I have always had issues with CEL's from plugging in when it was too warm. I still have the non-update block heater cord so it's on anytime it's plugged in. I usually let mine warm up for about 10-15 min before I leave. I will be getting the updated cord though, since one of the spades on my cord pulled out, unless I can find a new non-update one.

 

[Chevy1925]

when i use to live in snowy country, i never plugged mine in. partly because i was in an apartment. i would jsut remote start it 30min before i leave and let it idle. temps were consistanly 25* or colder (hit -10 a few times) and she never gave me issues. Motor did not sound happy at first start up but it never gave me any issues. this went on for three winters before i was back down in 75* winter weather

 

[MACKIN]

It only hurts the bill as stated as also the benefits of doing so. I plug mine in anytime it's below freezing. The length of time depends on how below freezing it is. From as short of a hour to upwards of 5 hours. The 5 hour setting is when it's well below zero. I want HEAT!!!

In what year did they start this magic tempature seeking cord? Is it the cord or the actual block heater? Never heard of it.


And your right it will light at zero or below but even when it's 20/25 and warmer I hate the noise and smoke . If you can eliminate it and it starts easier why not. When your away from home and you cannot well that's a different story. Let it rumble