Thoughts On A Cold Day

[Jambe]

I wonder if the engine is being designed with provisions to install a block heater

That question was asked and Jerome said YES.

 

[eddie66]

The driver said 2X that the Elio will be available "Next Year " . I can't believe he pulled that out of his hat . I am resigned to getting my Elio in 2016.

If you are not a reservation holder, next year is when the stores will open to purchase an Elio, if all goes as planned, so 2016 would be correct.

 

[Smitty901]

That subject came up around here last night . It was more about all cars. Block or tank heaters were once common and necessary here .
Todays cars and batteries have made it a non issue. Provided car is in good shape and battery is also even with long periods of 21 below cars do start fine. The only ones that seem to have issue are those that know they have a weak battery and try to get one more year out of it , or mechanical issues.
We have come a long way with our cars today.

 

[Dusty921]

I beg to differ........the weirdest car with four wheels is visible just behind the Elio.

I think that one was entered in either the "ugliest" or "Dumbest" competition.

 

[Keith Stone]

That subject came up around here last night . It was more about all cars. Block or tank heaters were once common and necessary here .
Todays cars and batteries have made it a non issue. Provided car is in good shape and battery is also even with long periods of 21 below cars do start fine. The only ones that seem to have issue are those that know they have a weak battery and try to get one more year out of it , or mechanical issues.
We have come a long way with our cars today.

Diesels need to be plugged in at 20 below unless they are brand new it will be hard to start them even some gas engines , if it is an option I will definitly get a block heater and run a timer on it for those extra cold winters at -25 in utah. I also like the idea of an easy start and warm up vs cold start.

 

[Keith Stone]

For the size of the engine, you could probably get away with one of those dip stick heaters.

Yes good point! I also recommend the magnetic heaters, they work well I have one made by Katz I purchased at autozone.

 

[eddie66]

Yes good point! I also recommend the magnetic heaters, they work well I have one made by Katz I purchased at autozone.

I thought about that too, but then I was thinking that if the engine was all aluminum, where would you attach the magnet. Hopefully the oil pan is steel.

 

[JEBar]

That question was asked and Jerome said YES.

thank for that info .... we seldom need one in our part of the country but our current 14 degree cold snap (AKA global warming ) I got to thinking about it and don't remember seeing anything in print

 

[Keith Stone]

I thought about that too, but then I was thinking that if the engine was all aluminum, where would you attach the magnet. Hopefully the oil pan is steel.

I have the same problem with my snowmobile the bolts in the heads are made of steel and while the magnet just rests in place it is still effective, also the exhaust manifold and bolts are usually always steel.
I agree I really hope the oil pan is steel. Katz also has a sticky pad heater sold at utah autozones for aluminum oilpans.

 

[JEBar]

Todays cars and batteries have made it a non issue. Provided car is in good shape and battery is also even with long periods of 21 below cars do start fine.

We have come a long way with our cars today.

ain't it the truth .... I well remember the days when a car reached 80,000 miles the motor was gone .... the body was usually still good but motor was used up .... now its hard to find a used car for sale with less than a 100,000 miles on it