When most people think of an engine block heater, they usually think of the cold winter months. Of course, an engine block heater is designed to deal with the cold winter months. The main working principle of an engine block heater is to prevent the engine oil from freezing and ensure smooth starting in freezing temperatures. Are you worried that you are not spending enough money to use it for only a quarter of the year? Don’t worry, I have prepared a guide for you to make the most of it. As long as the method is correct, it can come in handy in addition to summer. Let’s take a look.
Benefits of Using an Engine Block Heater Outside of Winter
1. Improve engine efficiency
If you live in an inland area, I guess you should be able to clearly feel a temperature feature of the spring and autumn seasons – the large temperature difference between morning and evening. During these seemingly milder months, the temperature can fluctuate greatly, causing the engine parts of your beloved equipment to be exposed to cold at night and hotter temperatures during the day. One of the main benefits of an engine block heater is that it provides consistent temperature control. Using a heater can stabilize the temperature of the engine and increase the life of the engine.
2. Reduced Wear
Don’t be naive to think that cold starts only happen in the winter. If you start your machine at a cool time of day, you’ll face cold start issues in the spring and fall as well. Cold starts also cause increased wear on engine parts. Engine oil tends to thicken when it’s cold, and you may have switched to regular oil or oil designed for warmer climates in the spring and fall. This puts stress on the engine and reduces its life. By using an engine block heater, the oil can be kept at a more stable, ideal temperature.
3. Fuel Efficiency
By analogy, the cold starts of your engine use more fuel. An engine block heater helps the engine reach that temperature faster, reducing fuel consumption during the warm-up phase. Even in the spring and fall when temperatures aren’t as extreme, using a heater ensures that the engine warms up quickly, saving fuel and money.
How to use an engine block heater in spring and fall
If you think this is a good idea, I have a few more things to say:
When to Use the Heater
In spring and fall, the weather is not as severe, so long heating like in winter is not really necessary. A shorter warm-up time of 1-2 hours before starting the engine is usually sufficient to maintain the optimal temperature.
Monitor Weather
The weather changes are an important factor in deciding whether to use an engine block heater. At this time, warm and cold winds in the atmosphere alternate, and hot and cold phenomena are easy to occur. If you see a significant drop in temperature at night in the weather forecast, it is best to use the heater to prevent problems when starting in the morning.
Energy Efficiency
To avoid unnecessary energy consumption, consider using a timer or programmable socket (a remote switch can also solve the problem) to control the start time of the heater. Use it when the temperature is not low enough.
Conclusion
An engine block heater can certainly have its place in other seasons. With it, you can avoid being caught off guard by a sudden drop in temperature. You can increase the efficiency of your machine, reduce wear and tear, and ensure that your equipment performs at its best all year round. So don’t underestimate this essential winter part for off-road equipment—with the right approach, these heaters can extend the life of your engine.