Do you plug your vehicle in the cold?

[Nismorphed]

With this cold snap do you plug your vehicle in at home, work or just out doing anything for a long period of time?

[carson blocks]

Never. I've never had driveway parking so I never plug anything in. Modern cars are pretty good at starting in the winter. Keep it maintained with a good battery and the correct weight oil for winter and no problems, even on the diesels I've had.

Edit: Maybe occasionally trying to get a junker started. I remember a cold blooded '82ish GMC with a 6.2 diesel that got plugged in for a few hours one time.

[JohnnyHockey]

Parked my wife's Beetle outside for the past week.. Totally forgot to take out the battery, sure enough it's dead lol

[nobb]

Work has plugs, so I might as well use them. Gotta fix the block heater cord though. Anyone know where to buy a replacement? Hardware stores sell a NEMA plug, but they aren't covered which is what I was looking for.

[Maxx Mazda]

Plug my EcoBoost in. It will start when it's -30, but why not plug it in? I like having my truck warm up faster.

[killramos]

Don't have a block heater, but kindof kicking myself for lot owning a trickle charger. Battery has been pretty weak, rough starting after being outside in open lot all day this week. Would be nice to give it a couple extra amps that it isn't getting from my short commute.

Today my proximity key didn't work, had to manually unlock. Not a good omen.

[J-hop]

Originally posted by JohnnyHockey
Parked my wife's Beetle outside for the past week.. Totally forgot to take out the battery, sure enough it's dead lol

Don't know what it is about VWs but they seem to have a lot of parasitic drain. I charged my Jetta's battery for a couple hours Sunday so I could last the week, should really disconnect it but I'm too much of a wuss to do it now.

[nickyh]

No block and the LRT lot where I park doesn't have plugs either.
Yesterday she started but you could tell the car was frozen. I drove it around a long time to get my temp gauge up to normal.
Today the start wasn't that bad, but same thing, took her for a long drive again to get nice and warm.

My clutch pedal is a different story, damn thing doesn't want to spring back.

[Chester]

I plug that bitch in. Warms up faster.

[dj_rice]

I park on the street at work. But otherwise, I would plug it in if theres plugs nearby. Why not.

[roll_over]

Nope, never plug it in.

Nice cars and bikes are in heated garage at a perfect 15 degrees.

Beater which I’m driving right now sits outside. I don’t even let the fluids circulate in that bitch. I literally turn it on, throw it in drive immediately and let it run out front of starbucks while I grab my morning coffee.

[carson blocks]

Originally posted by nobb
Work has plugs, so I might as well use them. Gotta fix the block heater cord though. Anyone know where to buy a replacement? Hardware stores sell a NEMA plug, but they aren't covered which is what I was looking for.

All the auto parts stores like NAPA etc should have replacement cords for block heaters in stock, they're a pretty universal item. I don't recall if they have caps or not, but they're meant for the job unlike just wiring a new plug end on from the hardware store.

[jutes]

Wolverine oil pan heater on the beater forester. No issues with starting.

[JohnnyHockey]

Originally posted by J-hop


Don't know what it is about VWs but they seem to have a lot of parasitic drain. I charged my Jetta's battery for a couple hours Sunday so I could last the week, should really disconnect it but I'm too much of a wuss to do it now.

Her odometer stays on.. And so do the cigarette outlets...I don't think the battery was that great to begin with anyways.

[ShermanEF9]

probably will start plugging it in when i move to my new place.

[The_Penguin]

Haven't had a block heater on my last 4 cars.
One was an import from California, the rest '95, 2002, and 2010 didn't have 'em.

With fuel injection and synthetic oil, I find no need.
That said, in this weather you'd best not have a marginal battery.

[03ozwhip]

99% of the time my vehicles are parked in the garage. however, this time I had to park my car at the airport(which I never do) for a 17 day shift without a block heater. I'm hoping when I'm home on Thursday night, that it starts.

[RealJimmyJames]

In these temps, a battery tender is more important than a block heater.

[Masked Bandit]

Once it hits -20 overnight I plug the truck in so it warms up quicker in the morning. It will still start okay without it but it just takes longer to start putting out heat.

[EK 2.0]

None of my cars have a block heater....


On the Civic not a big deal haha shes tucked away nicely...but on the BMW...while it does start you can tell its kinda strained...I feel bad every time I push that start button haha...