Only cars purchased in 'cold climates' will come with a block heater, usually. Vancouver and southern Ontario don't need 'em as often as we do up here in the frozen wastelands.
The block heater is a 'dry' type, 400W element that slides into a machined slot in the block. Advantages are quicker install times and better heat distribution than with a 'wet' type in the coolant.
As a rule, if your car didn't come with a block heater and your winter start ups are in temps below -15 C (0 F or so) then you will be nicer to your car to have it plugged in. Temps over that do not require a plug in, and it's a complete waste of power.
Kia block heaters are not thermostatically controlled, so if it's plugged in, it's on.
I checked my block heater and I think it says 1200 watts! Is that correct? That's a lot of power for a block heater. I own a 2011 Koup and if it uses that much power I will put a timer on it.
So then this means its only 400 watts? Just want to know cause 1200 watts is a large power
Draw. If it takes only 400 watts then I will just use a timer.
KiaTech, i found it weird that the car did not come with one, due to being in north dakota where winter tempratures reach -30 on a average basis. It is only 99 bucks to have installed at the dealer, cheaper than any other place i know of.
Gotta say, I'm not nuts about the OEM block heater I got installed. Insulation is a little on the cheap side and freezes stiff at about -20C or so.
The biggest problem with that is that because the cord becomes so inflexible, the plug snaps off pretty easy. Mine is still attached, but the wires are now so frayed that it can't be used. I need to go to Canadian Tire and buy a new (bigger, heavier) plug
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