Hi.. Is it necessary to have a block heater in my 2016 diesel. I live in co. So we do have cold winters. My old 2004 diesel had a block and made starting easy... Jim2007

They dont get hard to start until around -30 or so. Even then, the grid heater will get it going but may run a bit rough.So it might not be needed but it does help to get the heat flowing sooner.Where you live, I would get it and use it just for the faster heat.

Order the block heater cord if you don't already have it. Geno's Garage will be about the best cost.I've started my '05 numerous times at -20*F when I was working out of Leadville; it would miss on a couple cylinders for a few seconds. I wish I could have plugged it in where I was staying. At home, I plug mine in for about 3hrs before start when it gets in the 30's. Using the block heater is easier on everything. Quicker warm up is just one of the benefits. Thinner oil from being somewhat warm, faster/easier cranking and less grid heater time (glow plugs for the other guys) puts less strain on the batteries.

Jim2007 wrote:Hi.. Is it necessary to have a block heater in my 2016 diesel. I live in co. So we do have cold winters. My old 2004 diesel had a block and made starting easy... Jim2007As stated. Your Cummins already has the block heater installed from the factory. Just purchase the cord from Geno's or Amazon. And yes. In your part of the country I'd have it.

Your truck has a grid heater. And it may have the cord as well.Do you need it? I have never used it on my 2012. And I never used it on my 2003. Even in -20* temps in Fairplay during elk season.

As stated, you already have the heater, you likely just need the cord. In my area of the country its not *needed*, however it does help the truck warm up faster... but more importantly the heat comes on faster when its plugged in.If I know that I will be driving the truck with the family that day, I might plug the truck in the night before or in the morning that day. It only costs a few cents of electricity and makes us so much more comfortable.

2016 dodge 2500 diesel | Good Sam Community

Jim2007
Explorer
Oct 18, 2016
Hi .. Thank to all that commented on my question about block heater.. After looking closely behind the grill of my 2016 Ram diesel I found a plug for the factory installed block heater. Jim2007.
Greene728
Explorer
Oct 12, 2016
I use the high idle feature more than the heater. Here in the southeast it really never gets cold enough to plug it in. The high idle with the EB on warms super fast!
rhagfo
Explorer III
Oct 12, 2016
Block heater is nice for pre-heating the engine so you get warm ate from the heater sooner. I have a 2001, I have used the block heater as a good neighbor tool when the temp drops below 40, as the engine on my 2001 doesn't sound like the bearings are falling out. I don't need it an have started as loaw as about zero F degrees, just with a single cycle of the grid heater.
Ram doesn't use glow plugs, instead has a "Heater Grid" that heats the incoming air stream before it gets to the cylinders. Like having an electric hair dryer in the air stream. Works very well for cold weather starts.
BarryG20
Explorer
Oct 11, 2016
Coolbreeze is right. The dang heater is already there. You cant include a $5 cord to use the darn thing. Also like the 5th wheel/gooseneck prep group. You pay for the option but it does not include the dang gooseneck ball that you have to buy separately and no not just anyone's will fit in there.
wilber1
Explorer
Oct 11, 2016
coolbreeze01 wrote:
Any truck sold in cold country should come with the cord :S
s

They do in Canada, even in Vancouver where 10 degrees below freezing is really cold.
Grit_dog
Navigator
Oct 11, 2016
Bionic Man wrote:
Your truck has a grid heater. And it may have the cord as well.

Do you need it? I have never used it on my 2012. And I never used it on my 2003. Even in -20* temps in Fairplay during elk season.

Grid heater and block heater....2 different things.
mikeh449
Explorer
Oct 11, 2016
check lower bumper opening passenger side for cord
coolbreeze01
Explorer
Oct 11, 2016
Any truck sold in cold country should come with the cord :S
BarryG20
Explorer
Oct 11, 2016
While my truck starts pretty good without the block heater here it is nice to have it and I do use it when I have electricity and it is going to be cold. At home I bought a timer that plugs into the outlet then plug the heater into that. Have it set to come on at about 3am and to shut off at 7am. I usually leave around 6.
I would certainly buy the cord it is easy to install. I would also take a look at Genos Garage for the cord and they have a snazzy little plug receptacle that goes on your bumper so you are not fishing around for the plug and it includes the cord.
https://www.genosgarage.com/product/wd-bhp-10/winter
gkainz
Explorer
Oct 11, 2016
I plug in my '07 maybe a couple of times a winter when it gets to 0 or below. Makes it easier to start and it's nice having warm air blowing quickly after starting.
I know it's not necessary, though, as I start my truck out hunting after nights of well below 0 and it starts fine.