“Toyota says I don’t need a block heater anymore.”
We hear that every winter. And every winter we have the same conversation. Our answer is simple.
We disagree.
We’ve been installing engine block heaters in Fairbanks for nearly 30 years. We’ve installed
thousands of them. We trust them because we’ve seen what they do for engines that spend their
lives in Interior Alaska.
So What Happened?
Years ago, Toyota stopped offering factory block heaters on many of its North American vehicles
after an unfortunate vehicle fire involving an improperly installed block heater. That doesn’t mean
block heaters are inherently dangerous. It means poor installation can be dangerous. At
Metropolitan Garage, proper heater selection, cord routing, secure mounting, and careful inspection
are part of every installation.
“My Dealer Said My New Toyota Is Fully Winterized.”
Many new vehicles arrive with a battery warmer, oil pan heater, or transmission heater, but no
engine block heater. That means the engine itself is still stone cold when you start it on a January
morning.
Your Engine Doesn’t Know It’s New
Your engine doesn’t care that it has ten miles on it. It only knows it’s minus 35 degrees outside.
Cold oil is still thicker than warm oil. Batteries still lose cranking power. Starters still work harder.
Physics hasn’t changed just because engines have.
“Toyota Says They Aren’t Necessary.”
Modern engines are better than ever, but none of those improvements changed what an Interior
Alaska winter does to an engine sitting outside overnight. We don’t recommend block heaters
because it’s tradition. We recommend them because they work.
Why We Still Install Them
For 28 years we have installed thousands of block heaters because they help engines start easier,
reduce cold-start stress, get heat into the cabin faster, and make life easier on your battery and
starter.
Don’t Let a Myth Cost You
If your new vehicle came from the dealer, don’t assume it has everything it needs for an Interior
Alaska winter. Ask. We’ll gladly inspect it and tell you exactly what’s installed. No sales pressure.
No scare tactics. Just honest advice from people who have been winterizing vehicles for nearly 30
years. If your vehicle doesn’t have an engine block heater, we’ll install one the right way. Because
around here, winter doesn’t care what the brochure said. And neither does your engine.
