Running your block heater in the winter is something we all know we need to do, but for how long? It turns out to be a simple answer, with a small variable.
Block Heater vs Oil Warmer
Before we get in to how long it needs to run, we need to clarify a Diesel Myth out there. That being your Block Heater is supposed to warm up your oil. This is not the case at all.
A Block Heater is just that, a small electric heating element that warms up your engine block. It is installed in one of the antifreeze passages in your engine. Your oil pan is on the very bottom of the engine.
The function of the block heater is to work like an electric water heater, and warm the coolant in your engine. By keeping the block warm, it makes it easier for your engine to