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Old 01-08-2017, 03:27 PM   #37 (permalink)
redpoint5
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Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Oregon
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Acura TSX - '06 Acura TSX
90 day: 24.19 mpg (US)

Lafawnda - CBR600 - '01 Honda CBR600 F4i
90 day: 47.32 mpg (US)

Big Yeller - Dodge/Cummins - '98 Dodge Ram 2500 base
90 day: 21.82 mpg (US)

Chevy ZR-2 - '03 Chevrolet S10 ZR2
90 day: 17.14 mpg (US)

Model Y - '24 Tesla Y LR AWD

Pacifica Hybrid - '21 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid
90 day: 43.3 mpg (US)
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Quote:
Originally Posted by NoD~ View Post
OK, so I can't say I'm extremely impressed with the block heater. In a ~35* garage and plugged in for 3 hours, the highest it'll go is around ~100*F.

So far, I've seen anywhere between 26MPG-32MPG on the Torque app (probably averaging high 20's). Fairly curious what I end up with at end of tank, see if it is even in the right ballpark!

I may close it in a little more.
100 F is good considering the surface area of the metal in the engine block. How long does it take to get to this temp?

There is no way you'll get 30 MPG, especially in the winter, unless you drove long distances at 45 MPH without stopping. Your gauge might need calibration.

Find out at what temperature your engine cooling fans come on. Then set an alarm in Torque to go off a couple degrees below that threshold. On my Acura, fans come on at 217 F, so I set an alarm at 215 F. Then I grill block until these start coming on. In the winter, the cooling fans never come on with a full block on both the Acura and Prius. They might come on if I drive up a mountain, but I'll open a small section if I'll be gaining lots of elevation.
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