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?

 

never heard of dipstick heaters........heard of a block heater....you got a link for a dipstick heater?

i wouldn't worry about it if i were you....being in Texas, i am sure that 20* weather is rare....just go out and start your truck 10 minutes before you want to leave...

 

you can find them at JC Whitney and on EBay. I have not check any local Auto parts stores yet.


It is like an oil dip stick. You pull yours out and put this in. Plug it in and it gets hot and keeps your oils warm to help start-ups.

 

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.

 

+1. You don't need it until the night is in the negatives.

 

Only time I use a block heater is when it won't start. The diesels will get plugged in when it gets down to 20. Main reason for not starting is not enough battery to turn it over fast enough, or being old with 10-30 oil in it.

 

ok...that answers my question....thanks guys!

 

A 5w/30w oil is all you need. Up here in the great white north, were still in shorts and t-shirts at 30 degrees. Have a nice winter.

 

I am from Upstate New York...I know all about the winters and freezin my A$$ off!

 

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.

 

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.

 

Wish I could remember where I read that only a few states will get block heaters installed standard equipment from Ford. I think it was Minnesota, Colorado, and some others. I do believe North Dakota wasn't on the list. Strange, huh!?!

P.S. It's only -6 with at -31 Windchill right now.

 

Yeah, I hear the West is getting it's *** kicked with cold weather right now.

 

do you think theres an advantage at all?

 

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.

 

yea like every night here...

i would think if it helps alittle and doesn't do any harm why not?

 

Yeah...I am from the Utica, New York Area. It does get cold up there. I remember when I was a kid my parents had a VW Rabbit Diesel. If they forgot to plug it in on a cold night...forget it...it would not start. It was just too damn cold.

 

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.)

 

ah very nice...

makes alot of sense

 

45 year old???....check your math!!!....j/k I know what you mean.

 

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.

 

oh i am sure it will start. I just though it my be helpful and easier on the motor.

 

heh, it is almost december and it is 65* out right now in WNY

 

look, unless its cold enuff outside that when u spit it freezes before it hits the ground, and turns gasoline into jello, or makes it thick like syrup, u dont need any heater except the one in ur cab to keep ur paws warm.