Block heater

[schwalmy]

hey guys ive never had a block heater before and i just had one installed as not the cold cold winter is commin
i had it on last night and this morning when i came out i heard a light humm...
any one know is this normal....so far it semms to be working great....truck warms up very fast on cold days now
thanks
schwalmy

 

[Kmvreter]

hey guys ive never had a block heater before and i just had one installed as not the cold cold winter is commin
i had it on last night and this morning when i came out i heard a light humm...
any one know is this normal....so far it semms to be working great....truck warms up very fast on cold days now
thanks
schwalmy

I've got mine on a timer to start 1.5 hours before my usual commute so I haven't heard a hum. I usually use it when it gets really cold (below -10C) to help with the oil pour point. Definitely cranks easier and warms faster.

 

[Theory2]

I've been thinking about a block heater. How quick does it warm up compared to stock? Is this a DIY install or dealer? How much? Thanks.

 

[Koz]

I hope you guys are using a 0w-30 oil!

Koz

 

[Koz]

If you get the time you guys up north should read this. The main point stressed is that you don't need higher viscosity oils to provide better protection in hot climates. The fact is 90% of engine wear is at start-up and using a 0w-30 synthetic has almost twice the pour rate as 5w-30 mineral oil, at start-up. 0w-30 synthetic oil flows better to provide better cooling for the vital engine components, makes more HP, and provides better gas mileage.

http://63.240.161.99/motoroil/

Koz

 

[schwalmy]

hey Koz ive never heard of 0W oil!
am i safe to assume its got the thumbs up via toyota for use?
i understand how 5w is better then 10w in the cold but ive never heard of 0w.....
thanks for the info
as for the block heater as fas as i know it is a dealer install....
cheers
schwalmy

 

[Koz]

hey Koz ive never heard of 0W oil!
am i safe to assume its got the thumbs up via toyota for use?
i understand how 5w is better then 10w in the cold but ive never heard of 0w.....
thanks for the info
as for the block heater as fas as i know it is a dealer install....
cheers
schwalmy

Read this.

http://www.imakenews.com/lng/e_article000463014.cfm?x=b11,0,w

There will be no issues with Toyota if you use API certified oil.

Koz

 

[slyangel9]

what does this look like? Pic? or tell me where to look.

 

[schwalmy]

hey koz....
the letter talkes about 0W-20.....you said 0W-30....
was that just a typo?
also slyangel9....were u asking where the block heater goes? or just a pic of it?
i know there is one on the toyota site ill see if i can post it
the plug rests just under the licence plate frame
schwalmy

 

[slyangel9]

Yep, I was hoping you could tell me what this heater looks like. I'm curious to know if I have one. Thanks.

Brad

 

[Koz]

hey koz....
the letter talkes about 0W-20.....you said 0W-30....
was that just a typo?

0w-30 is a direct replacement for 5w-30, I would not use the 0w-20 because the 0w (The w stands for winter) is the same for both and there is not that much difference in the pour rate between the 20 and 30. Toyota does call for 30 on the high end.

Koz

 

[schwalmy]

hey koz thanks for clearing that up
ill check it out next time im getting an oil change
Brad....im not too sure the block heater was standard on any 4 runner....if u had it it would be tricky to find under the hood BUT if u did have one u would see a 3 prong plug sticking out on ur lower grill..this is where u would plug in to warm up the truck..once again im sorry i don thave any pics but ill get some up soon
cheers
schwalmy