How susceptible is the '09 Hemi engine to damage from occasional "real cold starts" ??
I've lived in Arizona Desert these last 10 yrs (and swear my blood is likely to freeze at 50deg), but am up in the high mountains of Colorado at least a couple weeks each Winter. That means the RAM is exposed to some rather cold morning starts (minus 10). I know that's only "moderately cold" as I've also lived in Toronto and Ottawa for several years.

Being a "Desert Truck", it didn't come with a Block Heater. (Hell, the Dealer has admitted to adding straight water to the window washer tank because "it's never going to freeze up in this area".)

So, my questions:
1) How susceptible is the Hemi to damage from a "real cold start" ?? And how cold does that have to be ??
2) Anyone have experience with adding the Mopar Block Heater ?? Any good 3rd-party alternatives ?? Is a simple Dipstick Heater a viable alternative ?? (do they even work ??)

Thoughts ??

 

I drive my truck every day in the winter to work and it sits outside all day. Most of the time it is around 0 to 10 degrees here but we always seem to have about a month when the temps drop below 0 and I have no problems starting it. never used a block heater on any vehicle I have had unless its a diesel.

 

I live in Canada where its always freezing cold in the winter. I have never plugged a gas truck in. Even when I had my 2005 dodge cummins living in Calgary Alberta I never plugged it in unless it got to around -30 or so..

 

I would have your anti-freeze checked for the correct temp setting. A hydro meter will tell you the setting of your anti freeze. We have to use them in the Army when we do services on vehicles.

 

We don't plug in gas vehicles around here. Been -6 in the mornings lately and the truck is always outside.

 

I live in Alaska and block heaters are big up here. I have one, but to be honest I don't think your "couple weekends" will hurt your truck at all. Up here where it stays below 0 for a couple days at a time, it helps. This is my personal opinion, but if the engine stays warm then it's easier to start and it warms up faster which gives you better gas milage than taking off after a cold start. You should be fine though.

 

As TDTIPMO stated, it gives you easier and faster starting and warmup. Also, the way I look at it is, what can it hurt having it? And if the oil is a little warmer upon startup, it will be slightly thinner than super cold oil, making the wear and tear on your motor minimal.

I dont have one yet, but I do plan on getting one, as well as a battery warmer. Cause a warmer battery gives you more power

Good luck

 

It was -28 this morning and I don't have one. I just warm it up for 15 mins. I run Mobile one synthetic and don't see a need for a block heater. The way I see it, it'll be the first thing to rust and leak antifreeze in a few years.. or the wife will drive away with the cord plugged in.. lol

 

Dito on the "you'll be fine" comments. I live in NH and we get down there in the minus numbers during the winter. -3 yesterday, minus 9 this morning. This is my 6th Dodge, with no problems. "Course I trade in every 4 years....
I would think the engineers have taken the cold into consideration when designing in the clearances. I remember the days of sticking a light bulb next to the battery to keep it warm. Now they have battery, and engine heater blankets too.

http://www.powerblanket.com/battery_...nket-a-57.html

If just for a few weekends I'd try the blankets first. Nothing to install and you can use it on whatever.