Oil Dipstick Heaters
#1
Oil Dipstick Heaters
Does anyone know if these are worth the money? I live in Texas so I really don't need an engine block heater. There are some nights...like This coming Thursday...it is going to be in the 20's and not get out of the 30's during the day. Since I have to park outside, I thought that is may help keep things kinda warm. Whats your input on this item?
#2
#3
#4
Originally Posted by 98TexasRanger
There are some nights...like This coming Thursday...it is going to be in the 20's and not get out of the 30's during the day.
#5
Originally Posted by FireRanger
HAHA!! No silly. Engine heaters are for when it is cold. 20's and 30's are not cold. When it gets down to NEGATIVE 20's, you might want to concider an engine heater. However, if it is -20 in texas, i think we have bigger problems.
#6
#10
I used the dipstick heater in my 1949 Buick some years ago (sold the car). It kept the oil warm and it did seem to make a difference when starting. It was nice when it was a clear winter day with no salt on the road, to start up the old Buick and go for a ride. Now remember this car had a 6 volt battery so it would take a little more to crank that straight 8 over in the cold.
Since you run into cold days once in a while it maybe just what you need.
Since you run into cold days once in a while it maybe just what you need.
#11
It will never get cold enough in Florida require any kind of heating device for the engine. Engine heaters are completely unnecessary unless it is ridiculously cold where you live, and by that I mean way below zero on a regular basis. Ford doesn't even offer it as a factory option unless the vehicle is being sold in the far northern reaches of the US and Canada.
And if that is the case, then a heated dipstick is not what you need anyway. You need a real engine block heater that does more than make the dipstick warm. The dipstick thing might be useful on a lawn tractor or snowblower.
And if that is the case, then a heated dipstick is not what you need anyway. You need a real engine block heater that does more than make the dipstick warm. The dipstick thing might be useful on a lawn tractor or snowblower.
#12
#15
They say it Glows orange out of the oil. In the oil, it keeps the oil nice and warm so you have an easier start. It's not an engine block heater. I would not need it all the time. I would only want it for nights like tonight when er get the artic blast here and it drops into the teen's and 20's.
#17
#18
Let me try to simplify this a little here since for some reason, people are making this complicated.
98tex: You don't need it. It will gain you absolutely nothing and have no benefit in any way. What you are describing is NOT cold in comparison to most of the country and is FAR FAR FAR from being too cold for your engine to deal with in the morning.
Others: This dipstick device will warm the oil that is near the dipstick. Your engine contains about 5 quarts of oil. The dipstick doesn't even come close to most of it. The area at the bottom of your dipstick is in an area that can only indicate being down one quart of oil. Beyond that, it doesn't even reach. This is why say it might be useful for a lawnmower.
If the thermometer is not bottoming out around the -10 mark or less, YOU ARE WASTING ELECTRICITY!! Our engines and the oil in them are designed for this, you don't need to stick heaters on them just because you are wearing a jacket.
If you are in an area where it is actually cold enough for an engine warming device to be useful, you will need a hell of a lot more than a dipstick heater. There are REAL heaters that are designed to do some good. They heat the entire oil pan or circulate warmed coolant. They are generally a permanent installation. None of these involve sticking a cattle prod down the dipstick tube because at -20, that won't do jack.
(Note, this is as it applies to most cars and trucks. This is not applicable to diesel vehicles or 45 year old VW rabbit.)
98tex: You don't need it. It will gain you absolutely nothing and have no benefit in any way. What you are describing is NOT cold in comparison to most of the country and is FAR FAR FAR from being too cold for your engine to deal with in the morning.
Others: This dipstick device will warm the oil that is near the dipstick. Your engine contains about 5 quarts of oil. The dipstick doesn't even come close to most of it. The area at the bottom of your dipstick is in an area that can only indicate being down one quart of oil. Beyond that, it doesn't even reach. This is why say it might be useful for a lawnmower.
If the thermometer is not bottoming out around the -10 mark or less, YOU ARE WASTING ELECTRICITY!! Our engines and the oil in them are designed for this, you don't need to stick heaters on them just because you are wearing a jacket.
If you are in an area where it is actually cold enough for an engine warming device to be useful, you will need a hell of a lot more than a dipstick heater. There are REAL heaters that are designed to do some good. They heat the entire oil pan or circulate warmed coolant. They are generally a permanent installation. None of these involve sticking a cattle prod down the dipstick tube because at -20, that won't do jack.
(Note, this is as it applies to most cars and trucks. This is not applicable to diesel vehicles or 45 year old VW rabbit.)
#21
Enough already, if you want too make sure your vehicle will start , do the following
1. Get a new battery with the most cranking amps you can find in your area.
2. Get a tune-up
3. Oil change 5w/30w
4. Get a remote start system, they can be programmed to start your vehicle every 4 hours, to run for 10-20 minutes.
if your vehicle won't start at 20 degrees, your best bet is 1-2 and 3.
1. Get a new battery with the most cranking amps you can find in your area.
2. Get a tune-up
3. Oil change 5w/30w
4. Get a remote start system, they can be programmed to start your vehicle every 4 hours, to run for 10-20 minutes.
if your vehicle won't start at 20 degrees, your best bet is 1-2 and 3.
#24
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08-23-2008 11:17 AM