STARTING a car with block heater is stil plugged

[ralican2130]

hi, i saw in the manual that you should "un-plugged the block heater first before you start"..
now it's freezing -25 to -30c here in canada and i had a remote starter. can you start your car? with the block heater is still plugged???

[300winmag]

I have never unplugged before starting and never a problem, gotta be a reason behind the madness though.

[kerrton]

That is a new one for me too, I always start the car and unplug the block heater after. If this is in fact a bad practice, I'm glad to know about it, thanks for letting us know and if you know the exact page in the manual that you read that note it would be good to know too...

[old sparks]

I wonder if Nissan is worried about the extension cord getting caught in moving parts. It's probably more a liability concern as opposed to a real risk, however, common sense isn't always that common...

[300winmag]

Either that or they don't want somebody to drive away with it still plugged in.

[sckeith]

Just a thought.

I don't know where the block heater is located but is it possible with the engine running and oil flowing the block heater could overheat by not being submerged in oil?

[philipa_240sx]

I don't know where the block heater is located

It's located on the engine block, roughly behind the alternator.

but is it possible with the engine running and oil flowing the block heater could overheat by not being submerged in oil?

The block heater doesn't heat the engine block directly nor does it come in contact with the engine oil.

Instead, it actually heats the coolant which in turn heats the engine.

Either that or they don't want somebody to drive away with it still plugged in.

That's probably the most likely reason. Operating the block heater while the engine is running won't have any adverse effect.