# Block heater for a '95 Explorer **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Tags:** explorer, heating, ford\ **Created:** [December 30, 2010, 7:03pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/block-heater-for-a-95-explorer/59319 "2010-12-30T19:03:39Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![spacermase](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9f8e36/32.png) [@spacermase](https://community.cartalk.com/u/spacermase)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2010, 7:03pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/block-heater-for-a-95-explorer/59319/1 "2010-12-30T19:03:39Z")
Greetings all, I am going to be doing a fair amount of driving in the eastern Washington State/western Idaho/possibly into Montana or Idaho in the next few weeks. It has been suggested to me that I may want to have an engine block heater installed on my Explorer- however, I’ve only seen block heaters really used in Canada or Alaska. Would it be worthwhile to have it installed, or can the Explorer cope with temperatures in the -5 to 6 degrees Fahrenheit range without it? Thanks! ---
**Author:** ![waterboy](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/waterboy/32/764_2.png) [@waterboy](https://community.cartalk.com/u/waterboy)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2010, 8:56pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/block-heater-for-a-95-explorer/59319/2 "2010-12-30T20:56:48Z")
I live in WI and the last 3 cars we bought had them installed. The salesmen did not even know they were there as I had asked about getting one installed and they suggested taking them to an independent shop to have it done. The Windstar has a plug mounted by the bumper with a flip cap on it. Look around for a plug, you may already have one. I lived a while in ND and it was a necessity. Id say it can’t hurt and will definitely help. -5 probably will be ok, fresh oil and a good battery are recommended. The block heater replaces a freeze plug so if you need new anti-freeze do that at the same time. Other considerations are will you have a place to plug it in? There are special blue cords that remain flexible in the cold, a nice thing to have. I plug our cars in 15 degrees and below. Different heaters use different wattage’s and my understanding is they try to keep a 32 degree engine temp. ---
**Author:** ![MikeInNH](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a587f6/32.png) [@MikeInNH](https://community.cartalk.com/u/MikeInNH)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2010, 10:25pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/block-heater-for-a-95-explorer/59319/3 "2010-12-30T22:25:49Z")
Doubtful it gets cold enough for any length of time to warrant one. The one winter I lived in Massena NY, I saw temps drop below -40. I didn’t have access to an electrical outlet for a block heater…so I would drain the oil out of my car (like everyone else did) the night when temps would get real low and bring the oil inside…then refill the next morning. A royal pain. Amsoil was the only synthetic widely available. One of the guys I worked with used it and never used a block heater…So if temps get real bad…an alternative would be a full synthetic oil. Flows very well even at temps of -40. Regular dyno oil is almost a paste at those temps. ---
**Author:** ![oldtimer-11](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/e79b87/32.png) [@oldtimer-11](https://community.cartalk.com/u/oldtimer-11)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2010, 6:36am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/block-heater-for-a-95-explorer/59319/4 "2010-12-31T06:36:38Z")
5 below Fahrenheit - no block heater 25 below - yes ---
**Author:** ![oldtimer-11](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/e79b87/32.png) [@oldtimer-11](https://community.cartalk.com/u/oldtimer-11)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2010, 6:38am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/block-heater-for-a-95-explorer/59319/5 "2010-12-31T06:38:47Z")
I used to bring the battery in - less work. ---
**Author:** ![MikeInNH](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a587f6/32.png) [@MikeInNH](https://community.cartalk.com/u/MikeInNH)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2010, 1:38pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/block-heater-for-a-95-explorer/59319/6 "2010-12-31T13:38:13Z")
Less work…but NOT the same thing…at -40…if that oil is like paste…you’re doing a LOT of engine damage until that oil warms up…In fact I’ve seen engines seize up because of no oil flow.