Brace yourself, Winter commute is comming

[echo-francis]

use your oem block heater a lot

[HyperMileQC]

Started today the commute to school. Was going slow ~40-50 MPH on the hwy. Did DWL, DWB, Engine On Neutral Coast, timing trafic lights and no aeromods .I don't know how much gas I have taken, because I don't have a SG, but I hope to see 7 LHK (33 MPG). EPA is 23 City 31 HWY 26 CMB.

I've inflatwed the tires in the returning leg. The recommended is 36 PSI, and the max is 44, so I put 40 PSI. Were going to see if it makes a difference...

[bestclimb]

Get instrumentation. ultra/scan gauge, or a guino. You will then know if you are getting DFCO and you will know if in our out of gear is better for your car.

Seriously, we were getting 38mpg as an occasional woo that was an awesome tank, using the mojo that I learned in the civic (with instrumentation). Put an UG in the escort and 42 is pretty normal (it will be dropping with winter comming on but 38 has been the "low" tanks where 35ish were decent winter tanks) no matter how good you think you are a scan/ultra gauge will pay for it self if you interpret and adapt correctly to it. (UG is cheaper so the payoff is a bit quicker)

[HyperMileQC]

Pugged the Block Heater this morning, it didn't seem to work.. When I sat in the car and started it, the temp was as low as yesterday (No block heater plugged). plugged it for almost 1H30 min. SO don't know if its need more time or if it doesn't work. It is a 400w OEM Block Heater that you put in the frostplug.

I plan to buy a SG, but I have to ship it were I live. so $$...

Also planning to put Smooth wheel covers and grille block.

[WesternStarSCR]

OK, plug in a lamp or something on the same circuit as your heater. turn on the lamp. Does it dim when you plug in the heater, and get bright again when heater is unplugged? I know, not fancy, but works for me

Also, after you run it for a while, open hood, the engine should feel warmer to the touch than anything else in the engine bay.

Was your coolant gauge was not even popping a little bit off of the Cold mark?

You should see something with 400 Watts for 1.5 hours... Same size EBH as mine, on a bigger engine than yours. Hmmm

Also, make sure EBH is UNPLUGGED prior to starting engine.

[Daox]

I run my Prius' block heater for about 1.5 hrs and it gets up to roughly 70F / 21C. That isn't enough to register on a normal temp gauge right away. On my Paseo you have to see 100F / 38C at least before the needle starts to move. You need a scangauge or other device to get any accurate readings.

[HyperMileQC]

Coolant temp wasn't showing any improvement in temperature.

I could not feel heat from the engine when opening the hood and unplugging the EBH.

Anyway, plugged it today, well see if it works...

[PaleMelanesian]

Kill-a-watt. That is all.

[HyperMileQC]

Update :

Will change oil this week-end (SAE 5W-20). Doing wheel covers and grille block.
hit 300 km (186 miles) on the way to school and I'm at the end of the second quarter (gas monitor). Estimation for now... ~7.7 LHK (30.5 MPG).

[HyperMileQC]

Update :

hit 535 km (332 miles) today, gas gauge shows 1 quarter of tank. Estimation for now : ~7.0 LHK (33.6 MPG). Good news soon! I hope...