being a southern truck... doubtful

and im not even sure if they still do it any more on any of the trucks with how cheap they are these days

 

If I remember right my 2007 FX4 has it on it again norther state though....I should really pop it out and use it at least at work. Then I don't have to pay for the electric.

 

it was -20 F this morinin and I forgot to plug it in. It started hard but what do u except with the original battery haha. I really need to get a new battery but I just haven't got around to it yet.

 

Yep, it's a factory option. Northern States and Canadian vehicles have it. I've got it too. I only use mine when it's -30's (-20's for our lower neighbours) and below....without windchill......LOL Nothing like a hard cold start at -40 (same for our lower neighbours).....not fun.

 

And we call it "really cold" when it is +10 here.

 

I have it and never knew what it was for. When you plug it in what does it do?

 

it heats the antifreeze that is inside the engine...

 

Mine gets plugged in all the time and its even in a garage.

 

back when i had my '88 with the 2.3 i had a light bulb in a ceremic fixture mounted to the engine compartment inside wheelwell on the drivers side, right by the distributor. plugged it in and it gave off enough heat to help out when it was cold. the whole truck could frost over and i would have this unfrosted circle on the top of the hood.

 

This is what the kit should look like.



This is the part that goes inplace of the frost plug.



There are other types like the inline heater hose one or the lower rad hose one and then there is the magnetic one you stick to the outside of your oilpan (but I think our oil pans are aluminium so they won't work) but there is one that goes into your dipstick tube. I recomend the actual block heater as they work the best.

 

yeah.. dont have those down here

 

So do you guys plug them in when you go to bed or something. Have one, but never used. Wish iwould once in a while.

 

I have a cord stretched out from the garage to where the front of the truck sits. When I get home (even if I plan on going back out) I plug the truck in. I have the cord stretched so I have to look at it/walk over it to get into the truck so I don't forget to unplug it.

 

make sure that you use a timer...only 2-3hrs is needed.anything else is a waste of power.

they are easy to install. I have them in every vehicle I get

 

that is too green for me

 

Call me picky about terminology but:

Freeze plug
Frost plug

The correct term for it is Core Plug.
When the block is cast , there are holes left behind from the forms.The medium (sand or whatever proprietery material) is removed from these core holes.
By calling these freeze/frost plugs , one would be led to believe that if your block freezes , the plug would pop out , hence saving it from damage.
Well sorry to tell ya if it freezes that bad that the core plugs pop out , the damage is already done.


ok , bash away

 

no bashing, you are correct.....they wont "pop" out if the block freezes...

 

being cheap on power means more money for the toys

 

we haven't really noticed any power usage increase.....that is why I ain't too concerned about it

 

When you put that in, does the element go in point up or sideways? Just curious since im not familer with these.

 

up.....

 

My '06 Ranger has a block heater but i've never used it, is it actually as easy as just plugging it in or are there more steps to take?

I can't believe i didn't use it all winter

 

Just plug it in.

 

i laugh everytime there is a post on these.........anyways if you are gonna plug em in put the cord on a timer and have it come on 2-4 hrs before you have to leave for work/school/**** shoot...........as for standard option depends where ya live......i know my old mazda3 had stock heated mirrors but in the US its an option

 

pretty much any car built for canada has a stock block heater got to be stupid not to plug it in up here in north bay when its minus 35