Block Engine Heater

A engine block heater or headbolt heater is an electric heater that heats the engine of a car to ease starting in cold weather. They are connected to normal AC power overnight or before driving, via regular power plugs that are fed through a vehicle's grille. This allows easier starting in cold temperatures, by keeping the coolant warm. Block engine heaters are also available for motor oil so that the oil does not gel and its viscosity remains low. The rapid heat circulation caused by block engine heaters also aids the initial vaporization of fuel in the engine; because of this effect, block engine heaters reduce pollution, as poor fuel vaporization causes much higher emissions. block engine heaters are widely used in many northern U.S. states, and are very common in subarctic regions like Canada and Scandinavia. In colder climates block engine heaters are often standard equipment in new vehicles. In extremely cold climates, electrical outlets are sometimes found in public or private parking lots, especially in multi-storey car parks. Factory installed block engine heaters are usually inserted into a freeze plug manufacturing hole in the cylinder block, heating the metal, coolant and oil. Although identical heaters are available and can be installed fairly easily, more commonly after market heaters are attached to the oil pan, sometimes with magnets, or a heated dipstick may be used.