So we've talked about heated mirrors, what about an engine block heater?
i did a little searching, and it seems the dipstick/oil, or magnetic block heaters aren't affective. Or that they were poo-poo'd. Or is it just not a good idea for really big engines?

So what are the options? Or am i just being an idiot, for wanting my car to be warmed up? I don't know if it is because the car is small, but it seems to take quite a while to warm up. I'd like to lengthen the life of my car, but the garage is currently occupied by.....a renter. and the other side is "the project car" when will i learn better....

Give me some ideas, those of you in the Great White North, eh?

 

Do you have a diesel or petrol engine?
I Norway, the diesel versions are delivered with an Eberspächer water heater, the reason being that modern diesel engines produce too little heat in the winter time.
This heater only runs when the engine run, but it can be upgraded to a full pre-heater. Although it's not cheap to upgrade, it's considerably cheaper than installing a full pre-heating system. And it is so much better than an electrical system. At -10, use the remote to start the heater and let it run for half an hour. Then the temperatur inside is +20 and the engine has reached operating temperature(!) Also, you are not dependent on having a electric outlet close to the car.

If you have a petrol engine (or a diesel without the water heater), you can still install a water heater, but then it's very expensive (in Norway, at least $2000). I guess it would have a positive effect on the resale value, but you have to decide for yourself whether the extra comfort is worth such an investment.

 

Mine isa petrol engine. I think to get diesel in the U.S., would be a specialspecialspecial order situation. OH well. i had hoped there would be an easy fix. thanks!

 

Hi!

Got my '09 two weeks ago. European (Norway) model with 1,8 gasoline engine.
Got it with electric engine heater installed ($400).
It's a 550W "hose heater" and works great. After 2,5 hours the engine is about 50 celsius degrees.
Manufacturer is DEFA Norway. However it's 230V, which would be a problem in the US.
Here you'll find the details (in english also): http://www.defa.com/doc/700/702.pdf

 

BTW I found this: Engine block heater (2.0 L and 2.3 L)â€* 0000-8V-H01 -M3 X X
Engine block heater harnessâ€* 0000-8V-H10 -M3
From this site: http://www.1click2computers.com/data...007_mazda3.pdf
For Mazda 3, however I guess the 2,3's are identical...