25orsix24, thats currently what I do. I have a garage but when the car is left outside, I start it up, and drive on eggshells for the first few km until the engine is warmed up. Slow acceleration and smooth driving till things come up to operating temp. Haven't had a problem with any car yet.

 

Thanks for the discussion guys; I for one am celebrating that we are not longer at -30C, what a week that was.

 

yeah, it's pretty nice to have warmer weather...

 

I am under the impression that block heaters are "selfish", as in you want heat as soon as you start your car. Oil pan heater is good for the engine, but you have to wait for heat.

I have a 300 watt Katz heater on my pan and when its -21C the oil pan feels about 17-20C to the touch. I agree that the oil will immediatly get cold once it circulates through the engine, but it is already where it needs to be -> on the cams and sleeves. The oil pan heater was plugged in all night.

I have never used a block heater, as i understand they are around 1500 watts... requiring a timer. How do you have a warm block with cold oil? Seems the oil would warm up to at least freezing ( 32F)... would like to hear any input.

 

...and this is why is best not to worry about it... either start the car and drive it nice and slow and warm it up: all components equally; save your "hydro" dollars, or buy a "junker"... like a Cadillac or a Magnum! and drive that in the winter like you "don't care".

 

I drive my '95 corolla to work almost everyday (when it decides to start). Good winter beater, i dont have collision on it and i dont care if anyone hits me. Only catch is the 'Ol lady wont step foot in it, don't blame her. So sometimes you gotta take the other car, -20C or not. So for those days its not a bad idea to have warm oil.

Some quick math... Current hydro rate including delivery and tax = $0.15/kWh, 300Watt heater = 0.3kW/hour, 9 hours plugged in costs $0.45.

I can list 100 things i **** more money away on, all of which do not save my engine. I only plug it in when I know it is cold and I will be taking her out in the morning (the car, not the wife - I stopped worrying about her when I bought the Audi..... j/k)

 

hmmm quick heater panel math... what else will I learn on here i wonder?