Engine Block Heater

13091 Views 11 Replies 9 Participants Last post by Daniel, Apr 2, 2004

Gene

Discussion Starter · Oct 17, 2002

It does get cold here in South Jersey, I'd like to add an engine block heater for those cold mornings of winter. I have the AC power on a timer which turns on my small nite lights out side the garage. If you look at the Toyota.CA (Toyota Canada) they have a very nice Prius web site and it does list and recommend the use of the engine block heater. Canadian part # C014000885. For a few watts the engine is preheated, reduces warm-up when starting off in the AM.
I have tried thru my local dealer to purchase one, they can't find the item.
Any one out there have a USA part number?
Has your USA dealer installed it for you? :idea: :?: :?:

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john1701a

· #2 · Oct 17, 2002

> It does get cold here in South Jersey, I'd like to add an engine block heater for those cold mornings of winter.

Cold?

We call that "warm" here in Minnesota.

To date, I've never seen a post mentioning a confirmed benefit of having a block heater. I personally don't think it will buy you much, perhaps shave off just a few seconds of warmup. That's it. The real benefit comes with how quickly you shift into Drive. Turning the key, then immediately driving away (slowly, of course) will result in a greater gas saving than idling in the driveway for a minute. (You'll find that heat comes out of the heater quicker that way too.)

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john1701a

· #5 · Oct 18, 2002

> You have never had a problem with the vehicle hard cranking?

Nope.

In fact, Prius actually starts up easier than a traditional vehicle. It's the powerful battery-pack and powerful motor that provides the cranking. The little one just feeds the computer & accessories.

Traditional vehicles rely on a battery that's just "adequate" to feed a motor that's only big enough to barely crank the engine fast enough for a spark to take over. The hybrid system doesn't struggle like that. I've personally had my sit outside all day when it was -13 F degrees out. It started afterward without any trouble what-so-ever.

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