Cdn owners: block heater

[Yousuf Khan]

Say, it's been really cold around here lately (Ottawa). So I thought I'd
plug the car in overnight. Opened the hood to pull the block heater
powerplug out, and I couldn't find it! The previous bunch of winters, I had
a place with a heated garage, so I never bothered looking for it. I was
under the impression that Cdn Subarus would come with block heaters
standard. Am I mistaken? BTW, it's a 2000 OBW.

Yousuf Khan

 

[Fuzzy Logic]

[posted and mailed]

Say, it's been really cold around here lately (Ottawa). So I thought I'd
plug the car in overnight. Opened the hood to pull the block heater
powerplug out, and I couldn't find it! The previous bunch of winters, I
had a place with a heated garage, so I never bothered looking for it. I
was under the impression that Cdn Subarus would come with block heaters
standard. Am I mistaken? BTW, it's a 2000 OBW.

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.

 

[Rory]

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

 

[330xi]

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?

(e-mail address removed)

 

[F. Plant]

Say, it's been really cold around here lately (Ottawa). So I thought I'd
plug the car in overnight. Opened the hood to pull the block heater
powerplug out, and I couldn't find it! The previous bunch of winters, I had
a place with a heated garage, so I never bothered looking for it. I was
under the impression that Cdn Subarus would come with block heaters
standard. Am I mistaken? BTW, it's a 2000 OBW.

Yousuf Khan

2001 legacy, no block heater from factory. Part $35.91 labour $75 at
dealer.

F.Plant

 

[Yousuf Khan]

2001 legacy, no block heater from factory. Part $35.91 labour $75 at
dealer.

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

 

[Yousuf Khan]

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

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.

what rubber are you driving this winter?

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

 

[Tony Hwang]

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

 

[Dominic Richens]

Say, it's been really cold around here lately (Ottawa). So I thought
I'd plug the car in overnight. Opened the hood to pull the block
heater powerplug out, and I couldn't find it! The previous bunch of
winters, I had a place with a heated garage, so I never bothered
looking for it. I was under the impression that Cdn Subarus would
come with block heaters standard. Am I mistaken? BTW, it's a 2000 OBW.

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.

http://www.brandsport.com/sub-a0910as000.html

BTW mine has one, but only because the original owner asked for it.

 

[Yousuf Khan]

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.

http://www.brandsport.com/sub-a0910as000.html

BTW mine has one, but only because the original owner asked for it.

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

 

[Tim Reeve]

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