block heater worthwhile for Ontario, Canada climate?

Sure EBH should help MPG and one would think reduce engine wear due to warmer lubes, although i have never heard reduced engine wear as the reason.

 

We got the block heater installed at time of purchase, on the West Coast, very mild winters compared to you, so think you can justify it, Ontario get's much colder. FYI, we use it year 'round, typically for a couple of hours before the first cold start of the day. Reasoning:

1. Faster warm-up and engine shut-down sooner. (understand shut-down happens much easier on 4th gen)
2. Suspect it's good for engine longevity.
3. Cabin warms sooner in winter.

When ours was installed the dealership just coiled and tied the cord, inside the engine compartment. I ran it out through the front grill, zip-tied so it hung a few inches, but not long enough to drag on the ground if forgotten. To further ensure that doesn't happen, I would strongly recommend tandem zip-ties, well cinched, a few inches apart, on one of the grill slats.

You want to operate on the assumption you will forget to unplug sooner or later, and likely more than once. Make sure the extension cord you're plugging into can pull out easy/straight, and that the block heater cord is VERY securely zip-tied to the grill.

Secure your extension cord somehow, so there's no possibility of it dragging down the driveway: I loop ours around a barbecue leg, simple but effective lol. If you're early start commuting daily, consider getting a decent heavy-duty timer.

As mentioned before, a couple of hours use is satisfactory, most of the year. One hour even, if you're rushed, will get the temp about 60~75% raised to the plateau. Don't expect a full warmed engine; what it does is raise coolant temp by about 25~30C, which gives you a head-start on the warm-up process.

I believe Toyota Canada posts an installed price for this accessory now? A year or two back it was quite good, somewhere around $135? And then they raised it, to around the mid 200's I think. Still not bad, as it is a PITA doing this yourself, especially with a new car purchase.

We got stung for $400 with our install. I would check Toyota Canada, do a build of your car, see what the amount is for that, and make sure the dealership at least matches (or betters) that cost.

 

The warmer lubes probably cuts both ways, on the one hand the warmer lubes will drain back to the oil pan faster, but they should put out faster too. Also the warmth may allow oxidation reactions etc...so I don't know how to net it out.

 

Yes get a block heater, and yes use it. There is literally no down side. Dealership in Alaska charges $199 installed, no option as they put them in every new car they sell.

 

They may not be able to tie to the grill slats due to the shutters on Gen 4.
See Grille Shutter Inoperative and Check Engine | PriusChat

 

You do have to take care with the cable routing: Grille Shutter Inoperative and Check Engine | PriusChat

There is a way to do it correctly that still looks clean, though.

 

Good point. You'd want to snake the cord through right at the grill corner, or around headlight? Check operation of the active shutters.

 

I'll take some photos and post them after work today.

 

That's not a bad deal. The part is around $80, but it's not a fun install. And having the dealership do it is better for warranty I think, no finger pointing if it fails prematurely.