block heater?

[blackout881]

I noticed a plug in the front of my 04 4.0 Eddie bauer. I'm assuming its for a.block heater? Kind of odd in a gasoline engine? Well anyways, I noticed it in the summer and now its winter and I leave the house around 3am for work and yesterday it was -16 degrees outside when I left. Even though The truck starts fine, what would be the advantage to plugging it in? Heat up quicker? Easier on the engine? Should I be doing it in Tue extreme cold? Thanks

 

[jaydez]

Usually they either heat up the coolant to give you heat quicker. Some heat up the oil in the pan to make starting easier in cold weather.

To find out which kind you have just trace the wire to see where it goes.

 

[matt0248]

It is a frost plug (block) heater. It heats up the coolant. It will help the engine heat up faster and aid in cold starts. There are aftermarket magnetic oil pan heaters out there to preheat the engine oil.