Yeah, I know. There are a ton of things I have to do on the Durango first as a priority...but being 8 degrees outside and waiting 20 minutes for the engine to warm up ain't cutting it for me especially with leather seats so it's something for me to think about possibly for next winter or even February.

I'm thinking of adding either the Wolverine heating pad, a standard plug heater, or a remote start system.

First of all, anyone here either have an engine block heater or the Wolverine pad?
https://www.wolverineheater.com/SUVs-s/1513.htm

Which one is better? Obviously the engine block heater is the more frugal choice but whatever heats the engine better is the best choice. Not comfortable with how the Wolverine mounts on the oil pan as it's going to be exposed to the elements and salt from the roads or is it pretty resilient?

I might just buy either the pad or the block heater along with the remote start. I'd plug in the block warmer at work since they have outdoor plugs and at home use the remote start since it's a complex. Not too sure yet, but I figure I'd ask around here for people who got them and their personal experience.

 

20 minutes? Really? I'm in in "balmy" Western NY where it routinely goes sub-zero (plus I live out in the country in a valley) and my outddor temp gauge VERY often says -6 or lower. My truck starts right away and is blowing heat within 5 minutes of driving. Seriously. Is it fully warmed up yet? No, but i throw the front on a blend of vent and floor and I'm toasty warm on my way to work.

FWIW I have a block heater on my tractor (used for plowing) but that's almost a neccesity as it sits for days / weeks and then is expected to start right up and move snow.

Bob

 

Normally, it's not a big deal I know. Recently, my muscles and joints haven't been taking the cold too well. This is recently mind you so I don't know what's going on. This morning I sat on my seat and it was cold enough to stiffen my back and shoulder muscles to the point I had a hard time articulating until the seat warmed up...and that sucks especially when you're not on your way home but another day at the other job. Wasn't a nice feeling at all. I'm trying to set it up where I can leave the vent open as I shut off the vehicle, plug the warmer to keep it warm overnight during my shifts so when I'm ready to go the next morning, use the remote starter a few minutes before I punch out so by the time I'm in my truck the cabin's been warmed up.

Plus I figure it's $30 and it would be a nice addition for next winter once all the main stuff has been squared away. Until then I can drape a wool blanket over the seat.

 

Gotcha. This might be a better solution for you though. Immediate seat heat instead of still waiting for the engine to warm up. Less than 20 bucks as well.....

http://www.amazon.com/s?ie=UTF8&page...seat%20cushion

 

I would say stay as far away from a remote start as possible. Even when professionally installed by Dodge (as mine was) they seem to wreak havoc in D's. Mine caused ignition problems within my computer, and I ended up taking it off to avoid future problems.

It gets down to those temps here in MD (moreso out towards my place in Deep Creek in the mountains), and I never have a problem. I don't have leather seats, but I'd say just start it up with the heat on full blast, or, grab heating units for your seats from a junkyard. They were an option on the D's, and there's even a spot pre-labeled in your driver side fuse panel if you decide to install them.

 

Remote start is cool as hell in the winter on a vehicle, but I never put one on my D as it has the heated seats and that to me was adequate.

 

I've had remote start. Get the aux system so you can turn on your heated seats and pre wa them.

 

Personally i use the coolent heater that you put in the lower radiator hose.. Gets everything warmer in my IMO. From my experiences the block or freeze plug heaters where just a pain in the **** and burned up to quickly.. There are a few good threads on this topic on the forum if you do a search on it..

http://www.autocoolingsolutions.com/...ater-120V-600W

 

I've had Viper 2-way remote starts installed at the local BB on the following Mopars....
2002 Durango 7 years no issues other than replace batteries and battery cover.
2003 Stratus 7 years no issues other than replace batteries.
2008 Sebring 5 years 1 button broke on the remote (replaced remote)
2005 Ram 3 months no issues

 

I don't have heated seats. I wish I did though...which is why I'm looking for a way to keep the engine warm when it's not on.

Thanks old_school, I'll look into that. Car is getting inspected tomorrow. Once it passes, work begins on everything.