Just wondering if anyone has had the block heater installed, according to Can Web site its $61.23 for F/AWD 3.3L, not sure what labour costs would be? this should be a standard feature for Can vehicles imo, anyways, i may get one at some point? had a battery blanket on my VW Golf worked wonders, and only $20

(IMG:http://www.photodump.com/direct/4dr%20turbo/Santa20Fe20-20Block20Heater20.jpg)

This post has been edited by Santatime: Jan 25 2007, 12:43 PM

Bah! you don't need that in Ottawa, perhaps if you lived in Sask or Kenora you might, cars are designed to start at temps up to -30, and we never see it dip below that. Oil in the Santa Fe is 5W/20 - very liquid.

Just make sure your battery is up for the task and you'll be OK.

I've lived all my life in Ottawa and never had a block heater.

True enough, guess its more for piece of mind than anything else, even my dealer said "dont bother" when i asked about it :clap: for not trying to sell me something

I wont put one in either. It is the best thing for an engine in winter. But for the few times I used it in the past it's not worth it. Can't used it when your not home, and when you are I just find it a hassle. I'll just put synthetic oil to help it crank up in the morning. Considering it started at -20C without wind chill this morning we should be fine.

Wind chill has no impact anyway, it could be -60 with the wind chill and it wouldn't change anything - if the air temp -20, it's -20.

I was considering getting one, but I hardly used it on my Intrigue and I always park in my garage. It's not heated, but it's always about 5-10 degrees warmer in there than the outside. I agree with Bimmer - unless you're living in Winterpeg, Manitoba then there really isn't a reason to get one.

Switch to synthetic and if you really want it a battery blanket and you'll be set!

Your right, I don't know what I was thinking. The engine is well protected by the hood and side panels.


Just installed a remote start. Letting the engine purring a couple of minutes before getting in sure is nice.

Well, call me crazy but I have one on the wife's S-Fe. I had it installed instead of doing it myself because I was lazy and also the heater plug is something like a size 27mm and I do not have a socket that big. They charged for an hour and a half of labor, which seems like quite a bit even though they do have to drain the coolant.

I suppose we could debate all day whether it is needed or not. I installed one on my Honda as well, not because I think they are necessary, but because as an engineer I never liked the idea of of the temperature swings and wanted to minimize it.

Well up here in Anchorage Alaska they are big on block heaters and ask us to plug in at 20 degrees. I have one on my grand prix since my sonata is garage kept and that was just put in and it hasnt had one since the car got up here which is about 5-10 years at least and it managed to be ok without. Something about emmisions they say it lessens the raw exhaust if you do plug in. I do have to add that my car does start easier and sounds better at start up if i plug in. Also with the hassle of plugging in at home, you can get an outside timmer like i have and have it turn on while im sleeping since its not recomended to leave it on all night. So if I know it will be cold i plug in as soon as i get home from work. I have been told that they also help the inside of the car warm up quicker but i cant really determine so far and not sure if thats true I guess its not noticeable enough if it is true. Madderhatter im sure will chime in eventually and give his thoughts with his vast experience with cold weather he had up here. I work with guys that drive 4 hours sometimes to go four wheeling and spend some time doing that while the truck is running just to make sure they will make it back with a running vehicle so you know thats cold. Keep in mind not to let your gas tank get to low when its below freezing for a little while neither. That just my two cents. Oh yea does anyone have a block heater and share the same feelings about the cheap plastic cap that does not stay on so snow gets all over it?

Steve

Totallly useless things! The one my Olds Intrigue would never stay on or water/ice would get in there and I couldn't get it off to plug the darn thing in. I had to get a BBQ lighter to melt the ice out. So annoying! You'd think they could come up with something better.

This post has been edited by capt_canuck: Jan 26 2007, 07:20 AM

I have noticed that there is more of a raw fuel smell when not plugging in the vehicle. Considering that the most engine damage is done when cold starting, anything to minimize the length of time it takes for the engine to warm up whether it be synthetic oil or a block heater will improve the longevity of the engine.

The block heater was included in my purchase. I was looking at installing it myself when assessing the cost on the hyundaicanada website, but fortunately was able to work it into the price. In Edmonton every vehicle that comes on the lot is equipped with a block heater (unless you request to not have one). Why they don't just put them in at the factory during assembly when the only cost would be $10 for the part I'll never understand.

This post has been edited by Silver FE: Jan 26 2007, 03:43 PM