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GETCONNECTED!Did you know?Using ablock heater inwintermeans comfort, safety, savings and,most ofall, environmental friendliness. This bro-chure provides details on all this, but alsooffers general advice about adopting goodwinter motoring practices.
A GOOD START FOR YOURVEHICLE AND THE ENVIRONMENT:WHAT COULD BE BETTER?
Already an essential ally for successful winter
starts, the block heater has been on the list
of CAA-Quebec’s most practical automobile
accessories for decades. Imagine how much
more true that is now that a study done by
our technical services people has clearly esta-
blished the role it can play in saving fuel and
thereby reducing emissions.
We’re very proud of this study that shows, in its
own way, the importance of adopting good en-
vironmental practices. Wewould like to take this
opportunity to thank the Agence de l’efficacité
énergétique for its invaluable co-operation on
this project.
Enjoy the brochure, and have a great winter!
Paul A. PelletierPresident and Chief Executive Officer, CAA-Quebec
IN WINTER,PLUGGING IN MAKES GOOD SENSE!
Our tough Quebec winters pose an additional
challenge as we search for ways to reduce our
travel-related energy consumption. That’s why
the Agence de l’efficacité énergétique provided
financial support for a study to assess the possi-
ble energy gains resulting from theuseof a block
heater.
The study results confirm, among other things,
that plugging your vehicle in when it’s cold
for just a few hours before you leave home will
significantly reduce your gas consumption on
short trips. And by making this simple gesture,
motorists are also helping Quebec attain its
stated goal of reducing gas and fuel consump-
tion by about 10% annually.
I encourage you to read this document to learn
some useful tips that will help you adopt more
efficient energy consumption habits and be
part of the creation of a truly environment-
friendly culture in Quebec.
Luce AsselinPresident and Chief Executive OfficerAgence de l’efficacité énergétique
3
VEHICLE MAINTENANCEIS ESSENTIAL AS WINTERAPPROACHES
The benefits of proper vehicle maintenance become even
more apparent in winter. Why? Because cold weather,
high humidity and more challenging road conditions
place greater demands on the engine and many of its
components.
To ensure optimal performance from your vehicle during
the winter, have your trusted garage perform a check-up
in the fall. Beyond changing the oil, ask the garage to look
at the following:
ENGINE TUNE-UP(ACCORDING TO THE MANUFACTURER’S RECOMMENDATIONS)
ENGINE AIR FILTER
CABIN AIR FILTER
DENSITY AND pH OF COOLANT
COOLING SYSTEM THERMOSTAT(ESPECIALLY FOR VEHICLES OLDER THAN 5 YEARS)
BATTERY CONDITION
BLOCK HEATER CONDITION
EXHAUST SYSTEM AND VEHICLE FLOOR(TO PREVENT CARBON MONOXIDE INFILTRATION)
TIRE PRESSURE
5
TAME WINTER…WITH GOOD PRACTICES
Quebec winters have accustomed us to tough conditions.
But sometimes we forget to readapt from year to year.
Here are some useful motoring tips:
» Avoid parking your car where it is exposed to the wind,especially in very cold weather.
» Start the engine only after having shovelled thedriveway or parking area and removed accumulatedsnow on the vehicle.
» Don’t leave the car idling longer than it takesto defrost the windows.
» If possible, stay off snow-covered roads, since this makesthe vehicle burn more fuel.
» Avoid “jackrabbit“ starts and heavy accelerationand try to maintain a constant speed; this is good adviceanytime but particularly in winter.
» Remove roof carriers after each use. Installedpermanently, the carrier increases air resistanceand fuel consumption.
THE VARIOUS TYPESOF BLOCK HEATER
THE BLOCK HEATER:AN ALLY IN THE DEPTHSOF WINTER
HEATING ELEMENT
There are different types of block heater, but the most
efficient and popular uses a heating element inside the
engine block. Other block heaters are installed on the
outside of the engine block. They are also designed to
heat the engine coolant and they perform satisfactorily.
HEATING PAD
Block heaters of the heating pad variety, which are atta-
ched to the engine oil pan, assist with cold-weather
starts. However, they do not do much to raise the coolant
temperature. Since the motor takes longer to warm up,
any benefits in fuel consumption and pollution reduction
are minimal.
WITH OR WITHOUT TEMPERATURE SENSOR
Some vehicle manufacturers include a temperature sen-
sor on the electrical wire for the factory installed block
heater. This sensor cuts electrical power to the block
heater when the temperature is above -18°C (or another
preset temperature).
With a sensor, there is no point in plugging the car in if the
outside temperature is above that set on the device. The
sensor is usually located close to the power plug. If in doubt,
consult the vehicle owner’s manual.
7
TYPESOF BLOCK HEATER
BENEFITS» Assists starting andaccelerates passenger-compartment warming
» Contributes to reductionsin fuel and greenhouse-gasemissions
FUNCTION» Raises the temperatureof the coolant
FUNCTION» Warms the engine oil
BENEFITS» Assists cold-weatherstarting
LOCATED ON THEINSIDE OR OUTSIDEOF THE ENGINE BLOCK
HEATINGELEMENT
ATTACHED TO THEENGINE OIL PAN
HEATING PAD
HOW LONG SHOULDTHE BLOCK HEATERBE PLUGGED IN?
For the vehicle’s engine block to warm up sufficiently,
it is recommended that the block heater be plugged in
at least 3 hours before starting when the temperature
is below -5°C.
In 3 hours, a block heater inside the engine block raises
the temperature of the coolant to a level that assists
starting and produces savings. According to our study*
the temperature after 3 hours is about 20°C higher than
when the heater was plugged in. Below -20°C, however,
it can be useful to plug it in 4 hours ahead of time.
AND IF IT’S PLUGGED IN FOR LONGER?
Plugging in a vehicle for more than 4 hours makes such
a negligible difference that it does not justify the additional
electricity cost.
HOURS
°C
30
20
10
0
-10
-20
21 43 65
HOW MUCH DOES IT COSTFOR ONE WINTER?
USE A TIMER FORMAXIMUM SAVINGS!
To ensure you use only enough electricity to warm your
engine over a period of 3 hours, get an external timer.
These small devices cost $15 to $30 but can reduce
electricity consumption threefold for
a vehicle that is plugged in all night
(10 hours) when the temperature
is below -5°C.
†Bas
edonan
electricity
rate
of$0.074
6perkilowatt-hour.
9
SMALLER VEHICLES4 cylinders(400 watts)
� �
MID-SIZED VEHICLES6-8 cylinders(600 watts)$25†
�
LARGE VEHICLES8 cylinders and some diesel trucks/vans
(1000 watts)
About
VEHICULES
The costs of using a block heater are minimal compared
with fuel savings and reduction of greenhouse gases.
Here are the costs for plugging in your vehicle for 16weeks
of winter, 3 hours a day (using a timer).
$15†About
$10†About
FASTER CABIN COMFORT
THE MANY BENEFITSOF A BLOCK HEATER
Plugging in a block heater 3 hours before departure
means the passenger compartment of your vehicle will
reach a comfortable temperature much more quickly.
According to our study*, at an average temperature of
-10°C, vehicles that are plugged in reach a comfortable
cabin temperature 40% faster.
6
5
4
3
2
1
0
Block heaterplugged
Block heaternot plugged
MIN
UTES
SAFER DRIVING
A block heater plugged in 3 hours before departure
ensures faster defrosting of windows. So you benefit
from better visibility, which improves safety.
Number of minutes required for the passengercompartment to reach the temperature of 18°C
LESS ENGINE WEAR
11
Remember: cold-weather starting is a cause of prema-
ture engine wear. Using a block heater is easier on your
engine because starting a pre-warmed engine places less
demand on internal components.
In addition, engine lubricants are less contaminated by
low-efficiency combustion. For this reason, drivers with
vehicles equipped with electronic maintenance reminders
can sometimes enjoy longer periods between visits to
the garage.
Some automobile manufacturers consider a block heater
an essential accessory and provide it as standard equip-
ment. These manufacturers respect the environment.
When purchasing a new vehicle, consider buying a block
heater immediately. When included as standard equip-
ment, the price is usually 50% less than buying one after
the vehicle has left the assembly plant.
ESSENTIAL IN QUEBEC
NOT TO MENTIONTHE FUEL SAVINGS!
�
Given the price of fuel these days, this is not a minor
consideration. Remember that a vehicle’s fuel consump-
tion is much higher when the engine has to start in cold
weather. If you have any doubts about the usefulness of
a block heater, the following should convince you.
According to our study*, a vehicle’s fuel consump-
tion decreases when a block heater is used in
cold weather. As part of this study, tests were
conducted on various trips with different types
of vehicles, including a hybrid. The vehicles were
all driven avoiding “jackrabbit” starts and heavy
acceleration. At the end of the tests, the average reduc-
tion in fuel consumption for plugged-in vehicles was
15% – and even higher – on trips of less than 20 km.
Note that fuel economy can vary depending on outside
temperature at start-up, the route travelled, road condi-
tions, mechanical condition of the vehicle, engine size
and, especially, how the vehicle is driven.
FUEL SAVINGSCAN REACH 15%OR EVEN MORE
13
THE COLDER IT GETS, THE MORE YOU SAVE
The average temperature recorded for all the tests was
-10°C. An interesting fact: results in colder temperature
(for example -15°C) showed even greater fuel savings.
The vehicles tested were plugged in at least 3 hours be-
fore departure. All vehicles showed a reduction in fuel
consumption compared with identical vehicles that were
not plugged in.
FUEL-HUNGRY VEHICLES BENEFIT MOREFROM BEING PLUGGED IN
Drivers of high-fuel-consumption vehicles, usually with
larger engines (for example 4-wheel drives), show grea-
ter net savings when using a block heater. This is not
insignificant, particularly if the daily route is over short
distances or on roads that place greater demand on
mechanical parts.
VERY REAL SAVINGS
Plugging in a block heater 3 hours before departure on
a trip of about 20 kilometres on a regular basis during
winter produces savings of:
»About $20 in fuel for a compact vehicle
» About $34 in fuel for a mid-sized car
» About $35 in fuel for a small SUV
» About $43 in fuel for a full-sized truck/van
Based on a cost of $1 per litre of fuel.
Cost of electricity is included in the calculationsso this is net savings.
HOW TO CALCULATEFUEL CONSUMPTION?
To calculate a vehicle’s fuel consumption – and savings
– simply record the necessary information in a log, like
the one below. Or use a fuel consumption monitoring
table, downloadable at:
www.aee.gouv.qc.ca/en/my-driving/advice-for-drivers
DateKilometreson odometer
Kilometrestravelled
Litres of fuelconsumed
Litres
100 kmCost of fuel($)
Calculation method:
Litres
Kilometres= Number of litres per 100 kmX 100
“MY CARWILL GET SPOILED”
Absolutely wrong! Plugging in a car will not make it
“temperamental” or prevent it from starting without the
block heater. Humans feel chilly, not metal…
It’s important to remember the benefits of a block
heater. Consider: preventing just one breakdown often
means you will save much more than the cost of buying
and using a block heater in winter, and it avoids delays
and inconvenience.
�
15
A SIMPLE GESTUREFOR THE HEALTHOF OUR PLANET
As well as helping to reduce fuel consumption, using
a block heater significantly cuts emissions of several
pollutants that are harmful to human health and the
environment.
When a vehicle is not plugged in during cold weather,
it emits a lot of pollutant gases at start-up and until it
has reached its normal operating temperature, including
carbon monoxide (CO), hydrocarbons (HC) and nitrogen
oxides (NOx). So, using a block heater is environmentally
responsible.
USING A BLOCK HEATER BRINGSNOTHING BUT BENEFITS:
YOU HAVE EVERYTHINGTO GAIN
» Reduced fuel consumption
» Savings on vehicle maintenance
» Fewer greenhouse gas emissions
» Faster cabin comfort
» Greater safety on the road
» and even more!
Plugging in your vehicle in cold weather
is a social gesture that everyone should make
out of respect for the environment.
GET CONNECTED!
ARE YOU SAVING MONEY WITHYOUR BLOCK HEATER?
SHARE YOUR EXPERIENCEBY WRITING TO US AT:
WE WELCOME YOUR QUESTIONSAND COMMENTS TOO!* Study on the use of block heaters conducted by CAA-Quebec,with financial support from the Agence de l’efficacité énergétique, winter 2008.
winter@caaquebec.com
132-2000-A
(2009-11)
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