Johnny DB

Which is not hard to do!

Imo000

Yup, I agree. But some people are reluctant to do it when the car is fairly new or under warranty. Also, picking the proper location for the heater is important too. Ideally you want to pick a hose low to the ground (hear rises), close to the engine block and not in the path of the thermostat.

BIG smoke

On my chevy diesel, I had two batteries, and two battery blankets, and a block heater. There was never any snow on the hood at the front corners.
As a temp measure. At the cottage, when I'm stupid enough to leave the boat in the lake too late. I toss a trouble light in the engine compartment.
6oW bulb keeps the block warm. I have done the same thing on a few trucks up north over the years.

theiceman

..

Lucky991

My sentiments exactly! Would having a block heater prevent bore scoring on cold starts? How warm temperature wise do these things keep the oil at anyway typically?

Imo000

Depends on the rating of the heater. A 1500W unit will get the coolant warm enough that once the engine starts, slightly warm air will come out of the vents (this is in a front engine car where the heater hose are near the engine). I think if you can get the cylinders above freezing you should be ok.