In Vermont, I have never had a battery warmer, however, I always make sure my battery is a more powerful CCA (Cold Cranking-Amps) than the OEM one, when I replace the OEM battery.
On days when it is about 10 degrees below zero (F), or COLDER, I have noticed that using a full-synthetic oil makes the car start easier, the starter motor is able to run at a higher speed due to the oil being thinner starting out than most (or all) conventional type oils.
I have installed an engine block heater, which I do for every vehicle I own. I put a 120-240 Volt timer clock near my electrical panel in my basement which controls the receptacle out near the parking area. I have a bypass switch in my mudroom closet so I can turn the receptacle on even if the 24-hour timer is in the OFF position. That makes the receptacle handy for when I need power in the driveway for any number of reasons.
Since the engine block heater is in excess of 850 watts, I prefer to have the engine block heater go on anywhere from about two hours (minimum) to four hours (maximum) before I need to use the car. Since it draws as much power as a small electric space heater, I don't want to pay to have the block heater running the entire night before I have to go somewhere. I have found that, even at, say, 40 below, about 4 hours makes a big difference starting the car (with full-synthetic oil). On days like that, I typically let the car warm up for at least 15 minutes before going anywhere.
The heater directions state to unplug the heater before starting the car. I typically leave the heater plugged in while the car is warming up. On the coldest days (colder than 10 below zero-F), the block heater might make the heater start putting out heat about five to ten minutes before it would if I did not plug the car in. If it never got below -10 degrees (F) here, I wouldn't bother with the engine block heater, but always would use full-synthetic oil all winter!
On days when it is about 10 degrees below zero (F), or COLDER, I have noticed that using a full-synthetic oil makes the car start easier, the starter motor is able to run at a higher speed due to the oil being thinner starting out than most (or all) conventional type oils.
I have installed an engine block heater, which I do for every vehicle I own. I put a 120-240 Volt timer clock near my electrical panel in my basement which controls the receptacle out near the parking area. I have a bypass switch in my mudroom closet so I can turn the receptacle on even if the 24-hour timer is in the OFF position. That makes the receptacle handy for when I need power in the driveway for any number of reasons.
Since the engine block heater is in excess of 850 watts, I prefer to have the engine block heater go on anywhere from about two hours (minimum) to four hours (maximum) before I need to use the car. Since it draws as much power as a small electric space heater, I don't want to pay to have the block heater running the entire night before I have to go somewhere. I have found that, even at, say, 40 below, about 4 hours makes a big difference starting the car (with full-synthetic oil). On days like that, I typically let the car warm up for at least 15 minutes before going anywhere.
The heater directions state to unplug the heater before starting the car. I typically leave the heater plugged in while the car is warming up. On the coldest days (colder than 10 below zero-F), the block heater might make the heater start putting out heat about five to ten minutes before it would if I did not plug the car in. If it never got below -10 degrees (F) here, I wouldn't bother with the engine block heater, but always would use full-synthetic oil all winter!
