Car engine block heaters (Fargo, Grand Forks: school, to live in, price)

[jeffismoving]

Hi,

I am moving to Cavalier. In the winter do you need all or just some of these items installed on your car:

1. Engine block heater
2. Diptsick heater
3. Wrap around car battery heater
4. In-line fuel heater

When does it get really cold up there and how long does it last? It it below 0 F all winter up there?

Thanks,

Jeff

[Goodpancakes]

Hey Jeff,

I live in ND and the only option of those listed I have installed is a block heater, and I don't use it at that. This question really depends on your car, and how new it is. I would suggest of those options listed the block heater is probably the safest bet and the others listed are unnecessary. However you probably need to look into new tires rated for snow and ice.

Detailed weather info for Cavalier:
Average High/Low Temperatures for KHCO : Weather Underground

[TravisW]

Block heater. Anything else is redundant, although if you're running a diesel the fuel heater can help.

[jeffismoving]

Thanks for the quick replies, All the best, Jeff

[Fischer_girl]

I completely agree. You also have to consider where you will work/school. When I was attending NDSU in Fargo I parked way out in the middle of no where. When that wind gets blowing with no shelter to slow it down...your car gets cold real quick. And..unless you're going to take a break every few hours to run out and let your car run a few minutes...you'll want that block heater. Also, if you DO get in a bind (especially in a small town), if your car won't start...you'll end up waiting hours and hours for a service to come jump start you because everyone'll be in the same boat. Best of luck with your move! I have family in Cavalier.

[Roloff1976]

JeffisMoving: I would also suggest the block heater...but also consider a "car starter"...this really comes in handy on a cold morning before work, or even at work before heading home. You can start your car prior to hitting the road...many people use it to periodically start the car up mid day, or even in the middle of the night...when the temps are 35 below or on the few days when the temps don't rise above 0. We sometimes get the frosty mornings or ice storms...a car starter will get your car warmed up and the windows defrosted without having to go out and scrape for 15minutes.

[DeoGratias]

Originally Posted by Roloff1976

JeffisMoving: I would also suggest the block heater...but also consider a "car starter"...this really comes in handy on a cold morning before work, or even at work before heading home. You can start your car prior to hitting the road...many people use it to periodically start the car up mid day, or even in the middle of the night...when the temps are 35 below or on the few days when the temps don't rise above 0. We sometimes get the frosty mornings or ice storms...a car starter will get your car warmed up and the windows defrosted without having to go out and scrape for 15minutes.

Car starters only work if you have an automatic transmission. If you drive a manual like me, they won't work. You'll be fine, though. I brought my truck to live in Canada for a while and never put a block heater on, even though most of the cars had them up there. My truck never failed to start.

[marmac]

Block heaters are great ( no problem with tank heaters either)

Everything else is a waste of money ( IMHO)

[jeffismoving]

Down here in New York, the Toyota Dealer wants to charge $210 for labor to install an engine block heater. It would be bolted into the engine block. Is that the going price or would it be less at a dealer in Grand Forks?

Would the engine block heater somehow cause the car's computer to not work right or cause some bad back pressure in the cooling system? I have read this and wonder how true it might be.

The car is a 2007 Toyota Highlander with an automatic transmission.

Thanks,

Jeff

[AndersonRM]

The main reason for putting in a block heater is that you aren't heating up hoses and radiator, just the block.