Plugging your car in during the summer?

[Disoblige]

Funny thing happened at work today as we got an e-mail advising us to plug in vehicles (block heater) during the summer as its normal procedure. Something to do with the battery, which I can only assume they mean it's less stressful on starts during chilly mornings. I really hope they don't think the plug-in charges the battery

So I started thinking, what purpose does this serve other than waste power and present an unnecessary fire risk?

Do any of you plug in your car during the summer or know people that do? I heard that it might help a bit with cost savings (mileage), but how much are you really saving that makes this task worthwhile? Seems silly.

[Sentry]

They must like pissing money away on electricity.

[ExtraSlow]

I once set one of my cars up to run a battery charger with the block heater, and I know others who have done the same. But doubt your company cars are like that.

[SKR]

Does your block heater even work in the summer? The one on my diesel doesn't until -18 degrees.

[The_Penguin]

Wow, just wow.

Personally I haven't plugged a car in since the early 90s. Fuel injection and synthetic oil provides happy starts.
Yeah, there are other benefits faster warmup less stress etc. But in the summer? wtAf?

[firebane]

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Does your block heater even work in the summer? The one on my diesel doesn't until -18 degrees.

Its a heating element... so yes. Plug it in and it will work.

[diamondedge]

Okay let's have a thought experiment. Assume the coolant is at 18-20degC...

I doubt the heating element can raise the coolant up near boiling so...

You just have slightly warmer coolant?

[Darell_n]

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Its a heating element... so yes. Plug it in and it will work.

Many have a thermostat on the cord, in case some company tries to plug them in during the summer.

[SKR]

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Its a heating element... so yes. Plug it in and it will work.

No it won't.

[bjstare]

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Its a heating element... so yes. Plug it in and it will work.

GM trucks don't operate until -18. Says so on a tag right on the block heater plug.

[Twin_Cam_Turbo]

Most block heaters these days have a thermoresistor that won’t activate until the -15 to -20 range (unless it’s a diesel).

[firebane]

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No it won't.

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GM trucks don't operate until -18. Says so on a tag right on the block heater plug.

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Most block heaters these days have a thermoresistor that won’t activate until the -15 to -20 range (unless it’s a diesel).

All you people and fancy new cars pfft.

[Twin_Cam_Turbo]

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All you people and fancy new cars pfft.

Both of my vehicles are 16 years old...