I just bought a 2017 F150 XL. There was no factory installed engine block heater. We live in MN, and I am used to all of our vehicles having block heaters. I have been told recently newer engine designs do not necessarily require a block heater. With the current cold weather and continued lows in the negative range, would it be required or recommended to get a block heater installed?

I apologize if this has already been asked.

 

I live in upstate NY, and have never had a block heater on a vehicle, and have had no problems in spite of seeing sub zero temperatures every winter. While I would definitely want it on a diesel, on a gas engine with modern multigrade oils I just haven't seen the need for it.

 

Thanks fellas!

 

My 2018 came with a block heater installed. I bought the truck in Laramie, WY and am surprised yours did not come with one installed. I would check on getting one installed even if you don't at least you will know the cost.

 

I'm in Idaho and though it hasn't been bad this winter it's not uncommon for us to go sub zero for days at a time. I see a block heater as cheap insurance. Yes, with modern oils it may not be needed but, you also won't hurt anything by using one. I plan on using a kats oil pan heater, just cheap insurance and may get some more miles out of the truck.

 

Does it get to -20F where you live very often?

I've had block heaters in several of my work vans (mostly E350's through the years), but never plugged one in. They started every time well into the -20'sF.
Let them warm up a bit, and roll.

 

 

If this was truly an issue, there would be a caveat in every warranty on the books covering this contingency, or every vehicle would have a block heater in is as standard equipment. Oil isn't water, and modern oils are made to withstand the extremes. They flow extremely well in extreme cold temps and do their job very well.

Many, many things used to exist that are no longer required. The military used to have separate oils for winter conditions. They don't any longer. Modern formulations eliminate the need. Ditto for fuel and grease.

In the same vein, just because engines with carburetors, relatively low voltage spark systems and other challenges due to the technology of the era in which they were engineered had block heaters doesn't mean they are still required with modern engines.

 

It's -35C where I work, and i have no place to plug my truck into in the parking lot. I use my remote start and let it idle for 15 minutes, I know its not the greatest but its better then starting it and driving it on a cold engine.

 

Modern injection systems adjust for temperatures and run lean until operating temps are achieved.

Modern sensors and programming can adapt to many, many conditions.

To each their own, however, engineering is engineering.