How do I use the engine block heater in a 2012 Dodge Ram?
How do I use the engine block heater?
Experienced mechanics share their insights in answering this question :
The engine block heater helps heat up your engine during very cold weather. If your vehicle has the engine block heater, you should always use it when starting your car in extremely cold conditions. Here’s how.
Locate the engine block heater cord, which may come through the grill, or may be under the hood.
Attach the engine block heater cord to a three-pronged extension cord.
Plug the extension cord into a traditional 110-150 Volt electrical outlet.
Leave the car alone for at least an hour, while the engine heats up.
Unplug the extension cord and the engine block heater cord, and fire up your engine.
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Don`t drive over your extension cord. And, for goodness sake, don`t drive away when the car is still plugged in. Unplug the block heater before you start your car.
You can start your vehicle while the block heater is plugged in. However, you`ll want to be mindful to ensure that the extension cord is out of the way and won`t tangle in any moving parts.
A general rule of thumb is to plug in your engine block heater when the weather reaches -15° C or lower, just to be safe. If you drive a diesel vehicle, you may need to plug in the engine block heater before temperatures drop that low.
It`s not necessary to leave your heater plugged in all night long. It only takes three to four hours to warm your vehicle. Using a timer to turn on your block heater early in the morning will help you save electricity.
Believe it or not, if you have a relatively new RAM 1500 truck, you have a block heater already installed. In the US, the truck doesn`t come with a standard cord for the block heater.
The system does not have a thermostat. It achieves maximum temperature after approximately three hours of operation. Using the heater longer than three hours does not improve system performance and unnecessarily uses electricity.
A general rule of thumb is to plug it in for at least 2-3 hours, and if it`s especially cold outside, possibly even longer. A lot of people will say that simply starting the vehicle and letting it idle is a good enough way to warm up the oil and the engine.
A block heater warms the engine coolant, which warms the engine block and the oil. Plugging in your car before you start it can also lower your car`s emissions — and your gasoline bill, says Natural Resources Canada. At -20C, a block heater can improve your fuel economy by as much as 10 per cent, the NRC says.
Starting your car and leaving it to idle for 5-10 minutes does not replace the need for an engine block heater. An engine block heater does its work before the car is started and makes that start easier for the vehicle. Besides, with the planet on fire and all, it`s probably best not to leave your vehicle idling.
A general rule of thumb is to plug it in for at least 2-3 hours, and if it`s especially cold outside, possibly even longer. A lot of people will say that simply starting the vehicle and letting it idle is a good enough way to warm up the oil and the engine.
It is not necessary to keep an engine block heater plugged in overnight. Once the engine reaches a certain temperature, the extra heat will be lost to the cold air, and electricity is wasted.
Relevant Questions and Answers :
the most relevant questions and answers related to your specific issue
How do I use the engine block heater in a 2012 Dodge Ram?
ANSWER : The engine block heater helps heat up your engine during very cold weather. If your vehicle has the engine block heater, you should always use it when starting your car in extremely cold conditions. Here’s how.
Locate the engine block heater cord, which may come through the grill, or may be under the hood.
Attach the engine block heater cord to a three-pronged extension cord.
Plug the extension cord into a traditional 110-150 Volt electrical outlet.
Leave the car alone for at least an hour, while the engine heats up.
Unplug the extension cord and the engine block heater cord, and fire up your engine.
I took an engine from a 2002 Dodge Intrepid and put it in a 2000 Chrysler 300M do I need to leave the fuse block under the hood fr
ANSWER : Hi there. I wish we could really help you, but the reality is that this type of engine swap always has issues like you’ve described, but the fuse box is only one part of the issue you’re going to have to deal with.The main issue is due to the fact that the ECU and electrical system in the original vehicle does not connection correctly with the newer engine you have installed. Having engines link with the existing ECU happens about 50% of the time. The only way to resolve this problem is to contact a dealership, purchase a new ECU and have them program it to the new engine. In regards to the fuse box, replacing one from the vehicle, not the engine is best.
How do I use the engine block heater in a 2012 Nissan Altima?
ANSWER : If your car is equipped with an engine block heater, this is an important safeguard to use during severe cold weather. Here’s how to use it (if your car is equipped with one):
Make sure the engine is off.
Pop the hood.
Pull out the cord for the heater.
Plug it into an outlet (properly grounded) or an extension cord connected to an outlet.
Run the heater for two to four hours to warm up the engine coolant.
Make sure to put away the cord before you start the engine again.
hi, I need some help to decide weather to purchase a 2000 dodge ram 1500 magnum or a 2003 dodge ram 1500 small engine
ANSWER : On the 2000 magnum you can expect to pay $500 on tires. If the 2003 had an overheating issue, whether or not it get fixed is a concern. The 2003 is a newer vehicle even though it has 15k more miles. My best guess could possibly not be very accurate, since it comes down to the condition and how good they look to me.
I would recommend having a professional mechanic do a complete pre-purchase inspection on both trucks in order to give you an idea of the problems they may have. Afterwards you’ll have the information to make an informed decision.
Trying to change 2002 Dodge ram 1500 5.9 ltr engine with 2000 Dodge ram 1500 5.9 and motor mounts don’t line up
ANSWER : Hi there. Although the engines are the same size internally, it is very common for manufacturers to change the location of engine mounts both on the engine and the interior of the engine compartment. Unfortunately, this type of swap would require some fabrication of the motor mount location in order for it to fit correctly.
Are the powertrain control modules in a 2004 Dodge Ram and 2008 Dodge Ram the same?
ANSWER : The powertrain control module (PCM) part numbers for the 2004 and 2008 model year trucks are different. So, it’s possible that the PCM could be the problem. However, there are countless things that could have gone wrong with an engine swap like this. Just one wire being left disconnected could cause all kinds of problems, including those you describe. I recommend taking the vehicle back to the shop that did the repairs to demand they make things right. If that doesn’t work, the team at YourMechanic would be happy to diagnose and repair your Dodge.
How do you use the engine block heater?
ANSWER : If your car is equipped with an engine block heater, it provides you with important benefits for severe cold weather (not all models are equipped with a block heater). The heater keeps the engine coolant warm when the temperature drops below 0 degrees F, ensuring a faster start, as well as helping the heater to start working more quickly. Follow these tips for using your block heater:
Make sure you use the right extension cord. It should be 16-gauge at a minimum and rated for outdoor use.
Only use a single extension cord to plug in the heater.
Connect the heater to the extension cord.
Leave it connected for a maximum of three hours.
Make sure to unplug the heater before starting the engine.
Store the heater connector plug properly.
Tip
Keep the heater connector stored in the sealed cover when you’re not using it.
I have a 2007 dodge ram 1500. Check engine light was on code came up as alternator. Replaced it and the check engine light is stil
ANSWER : Hi there. When an error code is created, it is often stored in the ECU until it is cleared by a professional mechanic during a check engine light inspection. It is possible that this is the source of your error light, especially if you are not having any further problems starting your vehicle.
