I can't recall when I last had a vehicle with one. It may have been my '79 Olds 98 Regency. I never did use it. The brochure I have on the 2011 Explorer shows that a block heater is listed under Standard Features.
If you are going to use it, most people suggest using a timer to help cut down on electricity costs. Set the timer to come on a couple of hours or so before you are going to use the vehicle. If your Ex is going to be sitting outside and your area has long periods of extremely cold days, you may be better off using a synthetic motor oil for better/faster starts. Most work places don't offer outlets to plug in the block heater. I've always been of the opinion that if it isn't going to start, I'd rather it not start at home!
I've always been of the opinion that if it isn't going to start, I'd rather it not start at home!
My window sticker does not list a block heater but all the info I see when I 'Build' one on the website says that a block heater is standard equipment, at least on Ford.ca. I should next week when the Ex is scheduled to arrive. In any case, I rarely use them anyway. Unlike many people around here, I actually use my garage to park in. In the 48 years I've been driving, I doubt I have used them more than a dozen times and for many of those years I did not have a garage.
After a hardy search, I found the information on pages 274-276 of the owner's manual (3rd printing.) 
