Toyota Camry: Engine Block Heater Necessary?

I suppose it may depend what your climate is like. I begin plugging in when
the temp. is going to go to below zero F overnight. I use a timer and set
it for between 1 and 4 hours before I plan to use the car. The 4 hour
setting is used for nights when it is going to get to minus 30F.

Some of the new timers now on the market have a remote control feature -
which would be great when you could just plug the car in every time you come
home - leave the timer set to off - and use the remote to turn the power on
one or two hours before you plan to use the car.

IMHO - heating up the engine with a block heater is going to lengthen engine
life - as it allows it to start easier seeing as the whole block is warmed
up. On the comfort side - the plugged-in car begins to produce heat for the
interior faster. The cost is minimal if you use a timer.

I have a (former) brother-in-law (the type with a cigarette package tucked
in his t-shirt sleeve). He used to scoff at me plugging in & say HIS cars
were TOUGH and would not be plugged in. He is on his 10'th or 11'th car
(and countless 'no start' tow truck bills) - while I continue to chug away
with my one 1989 Camry - 380,000 km on it - which starts every time....
Guess my car is a wuss .... one that starts though!!!



"Car Guy" <com> wrote in message
news:veoNb.2705$bellglobal.com... 

On Thu, 15 Jan 2004 08:52:55 GMT, "A" <A@a.com> wrote:
 

LOL...

My car is a wuss...too ('02 Corolla Wagon...only 165,000 miles)
 

"Car Guy" <com> skrev i meddelandet
news:veoNb.2705$bellglobal.com... 

Hello,
I have found two reports in English on the internet from a Scandinavian
research about block heaters, their reduction of emissions and fuel
consumption, see:
http://www.scantechab.se/projekt/mv/rapporter/isata.pdf
http://www.scantechab.se/projekt/mv/rapporter/lisbon.pdf
When you see the price calculations in SEK it might be good to know that one
EUR is approximately 9 SEK.
I saw when I run the Google search for this report that environmental groups
talk a lot about block heaters for emission reduction, since the catalythic
converter will ignite much faster when the block is preheated.
/per

> I have a 2002 Camry LE V6 and was wondering what the pros/cons are to 

I don't use one, even at minus 30C because.......
 

.....I also use synthetics which makes starting easy.

JP

Hi:

It really depends on the climate in your area. In some very cold areas in
Canada, most cars sold have a block heater, and long-term parking lots have
electrical outlets on each spot. The short-term parking lots, like in
shopping malls, have no outlets.

If most cars sold in your area come without block heaters, you probably do
not need it either.

Regards.


"Car Guy" <com> wrote in message
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"JP" <nb.ca> wrote in message
news:GzGNb.64668$nbnet.nb.ca... 
use 

Your experience mirrors mine. Even though I live in Edmonton, Alberta, I
haven't used my block heater on my 99 Camry in at least 3 years. IF I was
using conventional oil, I would definitely be plugging in for about 3 hours
before usage, when temp. dropped below -15 C or 5 F.