I ordered the optional BLOCK / COOLANT heater on my 2007 SS 2.4L. When the night time lows were below 20F I plugged the block heater in overnight. Next morning when I started the engine it was stone cold. So I check the owner's manual and low and behold the "coolant heater" doesn't start or turn on when the temperature is above 0F.

I notice the block heater three prong electrical plug has a round button on the side. Is that some sort of thermostat? Why is the block heater set for 0 F instead of say 20 F?

I guess one could replace the thermostatic plug (if thats what it is) with a standard 3 prong plug.

We've had several nights with -4, -1, 0 temps. Doesn't seem worth the trouble plugging in with the 0 F turn on as the 2.4 starts easy enough.

Anybody else noticed this issue with the block heater? Thoughts?

 

Because anti-freeze doesn't freeze until well below 0 F. And if you run the oil that is reccommended, its not slow to start either. Mine starts the same at 20 F as it does at 80 F.

If it were to run up to saw 35 F, it would suck tons of power because its resistance heat.

 

o so that is what a block heater is lol. I thought it was just another type of heater for the inside of the car that ran off the block i was kind of confused when i was building and pricing a few cars online recently.