Cdn owners: block heater

"Yousuf Khan" wrote in news:I6WMb.134081$ snipped-for-privacy@news01.bloor.is.net.cable.rogers.com:

I bought a 2003 Impreza in Alberta and the dealer said that when they are prepped a block heater is put in. The car I wanted had to come from B.C. and was already prepped there and didn't have a block heater. The dealer installed one for me at no charge. It would appear it depends on the province that prepped the car. It's unlikely that you would need a block heater in B.C. so it saves the dealer a few dollars to not install it. I would talk to your dealer and see what the story is.

AFAIK, block heater is not standard. I had to pay for it as an option when I got my 2002 TS...

our 99 outback does not have a block heater either.

i am a fellow Ottawa driver so i don't think it's standard, we bought ours used so we don't have any experience with a new subaru purchase

what rubber are you driving this winter?

snipped-for-privacy@canada.com

F.Plant

Yup, called up Otto's and asked them about it, and they confirmed it's an option. They quoted about $110 for installation too. Oh well.

I gotta say, it's not that the car doesn't start up after it's been cold, but it really sounds horribly rough when trying to start at -30C or lower.

Yousuf Khan

Well, mine was bought used also, about two years back. So I didn't really have a lot of choice on the options on it either.

Well, I've been driving the same rubbers that I've been driving since I got this car. The previous owner had installed Nokian Hakkapellita NRW tires on it (which are now called the WR's). It seems to be relatively predictable on snow, though I do see a few fishtails with it, but easily brought back under control.

Yousuf Khan

Hi, It's option in Ontario. Out here in Calgary, it's standard feature. I moved out here in 1970. I never had block heater in Ontario. Tony

Yousuf Khan wrote:

Hey Yousuf,

They're an option, and Ottawa dealers don't always include them. Did you buy it new here? It is just a 400W element that screws in place of the left coolant-drain plug in the block. You shouldn't _really_ need one, especially if you are using your car everyday for commuting (battery gets a good charge). My "neighbour" at work says they're always included in Saskatoon. Phone your dealer, it can't be more than 100$ installed.

Yeah that's what it looks like, it's standard only certain parts of the country. I bought mine used from the dealership too. But the previous owner was probably from Montreal. He had good taste in tires, Nokians, but he must've forgotten about block heaters. :-)

Yousuf Khan

When we got our Legacy wagon just over a year ago, it was an extra option, here in Ottawa. Personally, I can't imagine why you would not install one, especially when the temperature is -35C! And that's without the windchill. It is a lot easier to plug the car in than to build a fire under it. Cheers, Tim