Chicagoland engine block heater install event

If you have wanted your engine block heater installed, now is the time. Do you need one? Just search the Gen II forums for the info on why. Don't have an engine block heater? You can get them from the PriusChat shop, www.metrotpn.com or the Milwaukee Hybrid Group. Remember, they will not be available at the Chicago install event and the Milwaukee event will have a limited number of extra, so get them ahead of time.

First the Milwaukee Hybrid Group is having a group install event on Saturday September 26th. The location is seven one one zero West Good Hope Road, Milwaukee, WI. If you are interested contact Bradlee Fons at brad@milwaukeehybridgroup.com.

But if you don't want to travel, then our ChicagoPriusGroup is having an install party on Saturday, October 10th starting at 10:30AM. Not only can you get your engine block heater installed, but we will be having a cookout. The address is two five five two five West Ivanhoe Rd., Wauconda, IL . And if you'd like, bring a side dish to share as well. It usually is a 15 minute install for a Gen I and II Prius, about 30 minutes for a Camry and about 45 minutes for a Gen III Prius. These times are for a car which is cooled down. So come out and get some food and get warm for the winter. If you are going to get a install, please let us know so we have an idea for time. And even if you don't want or need an install, come out anyway and socialize with all your fellow Prius owners. Any questions just email chicagopriusgroup@sbcglobal.net.

I was thinking about engine block heaters and the new plug in Prius.
When you plug in you think you are just charging the battery. I think that what will really happen is that you will also be conditioning the battery, bringing it to the proper temperature and keeping it there. On cold days I think you will also be automatically keeping the engine block at the proper temperature. The cabin temperature could also be maintained at a predetermined level if so desired. Bottom line, the concept of plugging in will mean much more than just recharging the battery. I know that Toyota is concerned that people will may not want the hassle of having to plug in but when people realize that they will be doing much more than just recharging the battery they will think it is worthwhile.