Winter engine heaters are a must-have in the sub-freezing temperatures of Alaska’s winter. Unlike other essential car components, however, manufacturers don’t include an engine heater as a stock part. They’ll instead provide a receptacle for adding an aftermarket heater.

In this blog, we’ll tell you everything you need to know about winter engine heaters, including why you need one and what you need to know about maintaining an engine heater.

Why Your Vehicle Needs a Winter Engine Heater

In simple terms, cars need winter engine heaters because they help with fluid circulation. Engine coolant, engine oil, and transmission fluid are essential liquids that need to circulate freely to protect the moving parts in your engine. 

In cold temperatures, these liquids can freeze or become too thick, causing potential damage to your vehicle’s components. An engine heater warms them up before the vehicle is even cranked, so you’re less likely to encounter cold-related issues.

Perks of Plugging in Your Winter Engine Heater

If you have a winter engine heater, we recommend plugging it in two hours before starting your vehicle. This has several benefits:

• You’ll get heat inside your vehicle way faster.
• Your window will defrost quicker.
• Your engine will last longer, barring other issues.
• You’ll reduce noxious emissions in and around your vehicle.
• You’ll contribute to cutting down emissions.

Local Installation and Parts Sourcing

In colder regions, local mechanics play a crucial role in outfitting vehicles with winter heaters, ensuring you have the right heater and proper installation for your vehicle.

Sometimes, engine heater parts may be challenging to source. For instance, if a supplier has not kept up with the manufacture of winter heaters for newer engine models, or if a manufacturer simply doesn’t address the need for aftermarket heaters. In these cases, there are other options, including external circulating pumps and pad heater options. That’s another reason why it’s important to visit a local, knowledgeable mechanic. The right local mechanics will be innovative and will have designed ways to get the job done, even when it’s difficult.

Components of a Winter Engine Heater

There are generally five different components to an engine heater system to ensure all of the fluids in your engine are ready for the road.

• Engine Block Heater: A heating element similar to an electric water heater.
• Oil Pan Heater: A flat silicone pad with a heating element that melts hard oil, allowing it to be pumped. These are glued to the bottom of the oil pan with a heat-resistant adhesive.
• Transmission Pan Heater: Although technically this isn’t an engine heater, we lump them in the same category as “engine heaters”. Similar to the oil pan heater, this adheres to the transmission oil pan, keeping transmission fluid from getting too thick and allowing it to move through the pumping mechanism when the car starts. 
• Junction Box or Three-Way Plug: The artistic part of the installation. Every winter heater has a chord that needs to be carefully routed past moving parts and hot exhaust pipes. It has to braid into one “pig-tail” that can be plugged and unplugged, even in the dark and cold. This setup also has to survive thousands of summer miles over dirt and rocks without abrasion.
• Trickle Charger (optional): Provides a slight charge to the battery if the vehicle is not driven regularly.

Is My Winter Engine Heater Going Out?

Winter heaters are designed to work indefinitely, but even with the proper maintenance, they can wear out over time. Especially around mid-winter, old heaters tend to get sluggish. However, it can be difficult for drivers to notice when one of the three heaters has gone out or is getting weak. Here are some symptoms to look for:

• Turnover sounds: Fluctuations in outdoor temperatures do not necessarily coincide with engine sluggishness. In November, Fairbanks temperatures can fluctuate between 40 above and forty below—this eighty degree difference will have a big impact on how easily your engine turns over and starts. If it is 10 above and your car has the same sound as when it starts at -40, this is a tell-tale symptom of a failed engine heating system.
• Blown breakers: If you ever plug in your car and it blows the breaker, this could be a clear indication that the engine heater system has a failed component. 
• Slow to shift: If you notice a lag in shifting, or if your car does not immediately shift into gear when you engage the shift lever, this could be an indication that the transmission pad heater has failed. 

Winter Heater Maintenance in Fairbanks, Alaska

At Metropolitan Garage, we recommend getting your heater checked out at least twice a year. It’s a good idea to have it checked before the winter season really hits, as a part of your annual process for winterizing your vehicle. A mid-winter engine heater check-up is also a good idea to help ensure it’s properly maintained and that it will continue to serve you throughout the rest of the winter.

If you’re unsure about what engine heater type you need or have questions about installation—or if you need an inspection or repair—consult the experienced, local mechanics at METRO. We’re here to ensure you’re ready for the road all through the winter. Schedule your appointment at https://metropolitangarage.com/.