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Hey everyone, i just forgot to unplug my car when i drove away and ripped the block heater cord right off . i just wanted to see... How many people have drove away without unplugging there car first..? i think its quite funny. such a burn out move. Later!

I'm sure your the first one. Why is your block heater plugged in already?

I've never seen anyone use a block heater before, lol. My parents Escape has it, and even my Xterra has one, but never used it, our winters are never that cold, but last year when I was working in Peterborugh, there was his BAD cold spell, would of used it if the hotel had the plugs for them. Mind you too, both the Escape and Xterra have remote starters...

Well i live in saskatchewan.. thats about all there is to it hahahaha. -40 winters. right now.. some nights r up to -35. -37 with wind chill was the coldest its got.. and winters just starting.

it gets pretty cold in calgary and edmonton too, but i never plugged it in, probably cause both my engines never had one =P

Everyone does it... Did you wreck anything? Usually the worst is that you rip a cord and need to put a new end on it.

I would love to have a block heater! It doesnt get to cold here but nothing like starting a warmer engine

I have a block heater and I used it last week when it was -5 to -10 out at night, I have a weak battery and it really helps with starting and getting the car warmed up faster. Swapped it over from my K8 when I did the swap.

Gas cars don't really need them that much, it's diesels that have to have one. I will usually plug in my truck for couple hours before work when it's cold. That way batteries don't drain for grid heaters

how does a block heater work?

Plugs into the block, heats up the coolant.

The block heater is just a freeze plug with a push type adapter that goes to the
power cord. Its usually in the back right by the oil filter but can sometimes be
placed up front. Likely just a cord you need, id check a wreckers for a cord from
pretty much any mazda from 88-96 they should be the same. New from the dealer
is ~45 bucks.

Im not a big fan of cold starts (-20 C or less) without having the block heater on,
the wear from oil being like corn syrup for the first few minutes is not worth the
30 seconds it takes to plug it in. I can show pictures of uneven piston skirt wear
that I have seen on more than one car that was cold started frequently over its life.
One was from my B6 and the other two from BP protege's that ive harvested engines
from.

One of the funnier misconceptions about plugging a car in is that it has anything to
do with the battery. Its just a simple heater that as mentioned above heats up the
coolant.

Mi|<E wrote:The block heater is just a freeze plug with a push type adapter that goes to the
power cord. Its usually in the back right by the oil filter but can sometimes be
placed up front. Likely just a cord you need, id check a wreckers for a cord from
pretty much any mazda from 88-96 they should be the same. New from the dealer
is ~45 bucks.

Im not a big fan of cold starts (-20 C or less) without having the block heater on,
the wear from oil being like corn syrup for the first few minutes is not worth the
30 seconds it takes to plug it in. I can show pictures of uneven piston skirt wear
that I have seen on more than one car that was cold started frequently over its life.
One was from my B6 and the other two from BP protege's that ive harvested engines
from.

One of the funnier misconceptions about plugging a car in is that it has anything to
do with the battery. Its just a simple heater that as mentioned above heats up the
coolant.

This is truth.

And yea I know it has nothing to do with the battery. However, if my entire engine is cold it has a much harder time starting as the CCA on my battery is s---. If it is plugged in and warm it starts like butter and I dont need to worry about that stupid interstate battery failing on me

Mi|<E wrote:
One of the funnier misconceptions about plugging a car in is that it has anything to
do with the battery. Its just a simple heater that as mentioned above heats up the
coolant.

What do you mean? I thought plugging in your car charged the battery.....

I've convinced more than one person of that

The heater itself is just a tiny little element.



It goes on the non-exhaust side of the engine, usually. On the K8 its on the back by the oil filter, sadly.

did all mx3's have this? i dont, well i think i dont lol