Cold winter mornings can make it difficult to start your diesel engine because the engine block is cold. Heating the engine block before you start your car will warm it to its operating temperature, allowing it to start easily and letting you turn the heat on right away. Diesel engines are not the only engines that benefit from being preheated; a warm engine runs more efficiently because it does not need to heat up in the first few minutes of driving.
Install a block heater. Many diesel engines come already equipped with a block heater, but you can request that your mechanic install one if you do not have a diesel engine, or if your car did not come with one. It is important to buy a heater that corresponds to your engine size. You can quickly run up your electric bill with a high-wattage heater on a small engine.
Plug the heater cord into a heavy-duty, three-pronged extension cord. Then plug the other end into a 110-volt or higher electrical socket. You can leave it plugged in overnight, or simply plug it in a few hours before you start your car in the morning.
Unplug the cord when you are ready to go. Wrap the extension cord up and store it with your vehicle; don't leave it outside where it can be damaged.
Plug your hair dryer into an extension cord and plug the extension cord into a nearby outlet. Hair dryers are an inexpensive alternative to heating your engine block if you do not have a block heater.
Lift the hood of your car and engage the support rod to hold it up.
Turn on the hair dryer. Start on low heat. Direct the heat toward the engine block, slowly moving the hair dryer to heat all sides of the block. Also direct air into the car's air inlet duct. Continue on this setting for three or four minutes, then turn the hair dryer up to high heat. The gradual increase of the heat will prevent the block from cracking. Continue to blow high heat for about five minutes.
Switch off the hair dryer and unplug it. Close your hood and start your engine.
