Engine block heater/Good MPG

1828 Views 9 Replies 7 Participants Last post by Rick, Dec 15, 2005

Billy

Discussion Starter · Dec 13, 2005

Hi friends; My gal-friend, Cynthia, bought a new 2005 5-spd last may to use as her daily commuter. At first she was only getting 75 mpg; but after a little instruction she was averaging 85 mpg. (44 mile round trip commute, both city and highway).

Recently the cold weather has set in here in eastern WA. Lately, overcast & fog with temps around 12 F in the morning and 19 F all day is common. So, I installed the Honda block heater for her. It took me about 3 hours, as I cleaned the underside of her car, and took extra care in routing the wiring harness.

After 10 days of use, she is very pleased! She has cabin heat after only 1 minute of driving. Her initial MPG each day (first 5 minutes) is much improved. The engine is QUIET upon start-up. I carefully inspected under her hood while the car was "plugged in" & parked. The coolant in the radiator is NOT warm. But reaching my hand down, I felt that the entire rear of the engine block is warm; the water jackets have hot coolant. Also, the engine oil is slightly warm on the dipstick.

I think this product is excellent; especially for daily drivers in cold climates. The other day it was only 8 degrees F outside; Cynthia unplugged her Insight, drove to work, was warm and comfortable, and still managed 78 MPG. What a car!! And YES, J. Bullock, I did pretty well conceal the end of the plug, tucking it well under the front bumper! Billy.....

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Guillermo

· #2 · Dec 13, 2005

I use the engine block heater daily (when I'm at home) and I really like it.
The engine sounds normal and happy when it starts up no matter how cold it was all night. The engine temperature gauge shows that it's up to normal temperature sooner even in the coldest mornings then it does when I don't use the block heater on the hottest day in the summer. Warm air coming out of the vents within a minute of driving is a very nice luxury.

Idling a car is a very poor way to warm it up, it takes much longer then just driving a cold car gently.
Remote engine starters are evil :evil:
Ever notice that no car manufacturer produces cars that come with remote engine starters no matter how luxurious and expensive the cars are?
Sorry I got excited and went off topic.
Block heaters are great, just remmember to use a timer so it's only on for 1 or 2 hours instead of wasting electricity all night long.

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Aaron Cake

· #3 · Dec 13, 2005

Guillermo: Do you remember how much you paid at Honda for the heater? I've been meaning to get one for years.

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fujii13

· #4 · Dec 13, 2005

Guillermo said:
Ever notice that no car manufacturer produces cars that come with remote engine starters no matter how luxurious and expensive the cars are?

in what country?

EDIT: nevermind, canada. we definitely have this in the US.

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Insightful Trekker

· #5 · Dec 13, 2005

fujii13 said:
we definitely have this in the US.

Hmmm, what models are you thinking about :?:

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Guillermo

· #6 · Dec 14, 2005

The engine block heater was expensive, about $70 Canadian I think for the parts. It's not the same as a civic block heater because it requireds an adapter part. I've heard they are much cheaper in the U.S.

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highwater

· #7 · Dec 14, 2005

Yes they must be cheaper down here.

From the_earlier :roll: _block heater thread found here:

http://www.insightcentral.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=1310

Ordered the factory block heater from:http://www.handa-accessories.com/insight.html~$40 USD plus freight.

Randall

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· #8 · Dec 14, 2005

Hi Billy:

___Excellent post and I bet the bottom of her car is now as clean as anyone’s Insight’s top anywhere in the country knowing you

http://www.greenhybrid.com/share/files/ ... GbF_ph.jpg

___Block heaters are great (I never did install mine and I should have!) but the best part of your post was the following:

Billy said:
My gal-friend, Cynthia, bought a new 2005 5-spd last may to use as her daily commuter. At first she was only getting 75 mpg; but after a little instruction she was averaging 85 mpg. (44 mile round trip commute, both city and highway).

___Thank you for taking the time to teach your GF the ways of the Insight for all our sakes!

___Good Luck

___Wayne R. Gerdes

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Billy

Discussion Starter · #9 · Dec 14, 2005

Hi Wayne; Yeah, Cynthia says hello to you! She is enjoying her red beauty, especially now with the block heater. She will be with me in Florida for the 12 hours of Sebring race, and is looking forward to seeing you again and perhaps meeting your wife too? Audi just yesterday unveiled the brand new R-10. It looks nearly like the R-8, but has refined aerodynamics and a turbo V-12 Diesel! It puts out 650 hp and 865 foot lbs of torque! It will see its first race at Sebring.

All Insight owners: I would enjoy meeting up with anyone on March 18th in Sebring, FL for the 12 hour (10am to 10pm) sports car race. Guillermo, how about coming south for some 80 degree warmth? Billy....

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Rick

· #10 · Dec 15, 2005

Bill, you comming back through AZ on your way back?

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