Just got of the phone with a local dealer who will hopefully be selling me an '08 Touring Pkg 3. Being in NE Ohio I asked about picking up an engine block heater from their parts department. He told me that he asked his parts guys and they said that Toyota changed something with the 2008 and that they actually don't offer one. He even went as far as to say that they recommend against it for climates like ours, that it is really only needed for places like Canada. Now I find most of this pretty hard to believe. I even asked him if he was aware of any changes in the engine from 07 to 08. He said, of course, no. Still couldn't tell me why they didn't recommend using the EBH. I figure I'll be supporting the Prius Shop with my purchase. Anyone know if they are currently shipping? David
That seems to be a common refrain. It certainly isn't 'needed', but it is just as certainly beneficial if you enjoy the car warming up more quickly, if you enjoy better fuel economy and maybe enjoy putting less wear on the car due to extreme cold starts. IMO, it's the best $50 you can spend...buy one from the Priuschat shop and install it yourself...it'll give you a lot of personal satisfaction to accomplish it and it'll give you a lot of satisfaction to enjoy the improved FE.
The EBH is just like a poor man's plug-in option. We observe a certain MPG improvement even in summer, 100F weather. Ken@Japan
Can you spell B##L S%%T? The amount of information that dealers DON'T know would fill a ship! If you want a ebh, buy one here or get one from another dealer. Icarus
Evan, you are starting to get me interested. I don't need one either, but it could be nice. I don't drive on a regular schedule, so I would need to switch on the EBH on an "as needed" basis. I know there are a lot of variables, but how long of a heating period would I need for it to help much? Tom
I am thinking about installing an EBH and plugging it into a timer so that it warms the engine about 20 minutes before I usually leave for work. Anyone try the timer yet?
No switch, you gotta plug it in the wall...but 2-3 hours is plenty to get a noticable benefit. Even 1 hour helps a little.
I use my EBH all year long here in northern Indiana. In the summer time, the coolant is usually right around 150F when I first start out. When the thermos opens though, it usually drops to around 135F for a few seconds. I'm usually able to get the coolant warm enough to be in S4 within 3/4 mile in the summer and in just over a mile in the winter time.
We have an 08 and I bought the EBH and took it along with the instructions from priuschat.com to our Toyota dealer to have installed. They would have been completely lost without the instructions, in fact they asked me where I got them and how good the person did on the steps/pictures. I just think the dealers don't know as much as they should about the Prius, but enjoy yours and Yes get an EBH!!
Don't be too tough on the US dealers. The EBH is a Toyota Canada device, so US dealer techs aren't "schooled" on it. The EBH draws about 400W. You really want to turn it on 3 hours before you plan to go for maximum benefit. So that's 1.2 kW-hrs - or perhaps around $0.10 to $0.30 per use. It's possible to use a remote controlled "switch". Check out Radio Shack. They have remote switches for lights that may work over a large enough distance. It's just a resistive load and not very large, so these should work just fine. Or use a timer. BTW, it's real fun to install. Do be sure to rig the cord so you would trip over it if you tried to get in the car without unplugging it.
The dealers and the support at Toyota GB are a waste of time when it comes Engine Block Heaters. All I got was Toyota don’t supply it and it will invalidate your warranty, both plain untrue. The part is supplied by Toyota EU and the part number and fitting instructions are on the web site if you can find the AIM list. , www.toyota-tech.eu And the engine has a pocket for the heater to fit into the block, so the guy who made the engine intended it to be fitted. When you have done the work for them and found the part number the dealer can get the part in less then a week. So don’t be surprised by the lack of help, if it requires work or thinking then you are on your own. For anyone needing a 230v EBH the following could be of use. Toyota Euro 230v EBH Install Manual.pdf Part number PZ434-G0790-3Z. Jon the Chief
Yeah, lots of folks use timers for their EBH. Be sure and get one rated and designed to be outside, unless you have an inside outlet or garage to plug it into. I usually have mine come on at about 4 a.m. That way, by the time I leave for work around 8a.m., the heat in the car is getting warm in less than a mile of travel, and well before the first five minute bar appears. Which bar, BTW, will be much higher (used to be around 25 mpg and now is around 40 mpg) which will boost your overall mileage. Good luck!!
