Im not worried that it will be so cold that it wont start. Its just that I dont want to get an emergency call in the middle of the night, and do mach 3 in my truck on a completely cold engine. Thats my main concern.

 

If all your worried about is not hurting the motor than all you need if to have it plugged in.

 

HUH?



Even one that goes in the bottom radiator hose will work for keeping the oil warm enough to make a bonsai run in the middle of the night.

 

This is what I ran on my Ford 460CID in the early '80s while stationed in the W north.

One heater pad on the trans pan and water heater circulator on the heater hoses.
http://www.amazon.com/Kats-13080-Alu...=pd_sbs_auto_3 Worked great for five years.

The heater, pushes and pulls as it heats the water (coolant).

 

Good idea. Typically we start plugging vehicles in here around 5-10 degrees or so depending on your vehicle. Find yourself a block heater or hose heater and plug it in. Unless your battery is weak, really you wouldn't need a trickle charger on the battery. I ran one on my Cummins but only in super cold (-20 to -40).

 

I had the dealer install a block heater shortly after I bought my truck. I like it. It gets down to 0 here (haven't seen lower yet), and I don't really need to use it, but I like to because I have a short drive to work and want things warmed up before I get there. Also saves some fuel as the warmup cycle is shorter... I've been in -8 and still no problems.