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DRIVE GREENEVEN IN WINTER!

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DRIVE GREEN…EVEN IN WINTER!

GETCONNECTED!Did you know?Using ablock heater inwintermeans comfort, safety, savings and,most ofall, environmental friendliness. This bro-chure provides details on all this, but alsooffers general advice about adopting goodwinter motoring practices.

A GOOD START FOR YOURVEHICLE AND THE ENVIRONMENT:WHAT COULD BE BETTER?

Already an essential ally for successful winter

starts, the block heater has been on the list

of CAA-Quebec’s most practical automobile

accessories for decades. Imagine how much

more true that is now that a study done by

our technical services people has clearly esta-

blished the role it can play in saving fuel and

thereby reducing emissions.

We’re very proud of this study that shows, in its

own way, the importance of adopting good en-

vironmental practices. Wewould like to take this

opportunity to thank the Agence de l’efficacité

énergétique for its invaluable co-operation on

this project.

Enjoy the brochure, and have a great winter!

Paul A. PelletierPresident and Chief Executive Officer, CAA-Quebec

IN WINTER,PLUGGING IN MAKES GOOD SENSE!

Our tough Quebec winters pose an additional

challenge as we search for ways to reduce our

travel-related energy consumption. That’s why

the Agence de l’efficacité énergétique provided

financial support for a study to assess the possi-

ble energy gains resulting from theuseof a block

heater.

The study results confirm, among other things,

that plugging your vehicle in when it’s cold

for just a few hours before you leave home will

significantly reduce your gas consumption on

short trips. And by making this simple gesture,

motorists are also helping Quebec attain its

stated goal of reducing gas and fuel consump-

tion by about 10% annually.

I encourage you to read this document to learn

some useful tips that will help you adopt more

efficient energy consumption habits and be

part of the creation of a truly environment-

friendly culture in Quebec.

Luce AsselinPresident and Chief Executive OfficerAgence de l’efficacité énergétique

3

VEHICLE MAINTENANCEIS ESSENTIAL AS WINTERAPPROACHES

The benefits of proper vehicle maintenance become even

more apparent in winter. Why? Because cold weather,

high humidity and more challenging road conditions

place greater demands on the engine and many of its

components.

To ensure optimal performance from your vehicle during

the winter, have your trusted garage perform a check-up

in the fall. Beyond changing the oil, ask the garage to look

at the following:

ENGINE TUNE-UP(ACCORDING TO THE MANUFACTURER’S RECOMMENDATIONS)

ENGINE AIR FILTER

CABIN AIR FILTER

DENSITY AND pH OF COOLANT

COOLING SYSTEM THERMOSTAT(ESPECIALLY FOR VEHICLES OLDER THAN 5 YEARS)

BATTERY CONDITION

BLOCK HEATER CONDITION

EXHAUST SYSTEM AND VEHICLE FLOOR(TO PREVENT CARBON MONOXIDE INFILTRATION)

TIRE PRESSURE

5

TAME WINTER…WITH GOOD PRACTICES

Quebec winters have accustomed us to tough conditions.

But sometimes we forget to readapt from year to year.

Here are some useful motoring tips:

» Avoid parking your car where it is exposed to the wind,especially in very cold weather.

» Start the engine only after having shovelled thedriveway or parking area and removed accumulatedsnow on the vehicle.

» Don’t leave the car idling longer than it takesto defrost the windows.

» If possible, stay off snow-covered roads, since this makesthe vehicle burn more fuel.

» Avoid “jackrabbit“ starts and heavy accelerationand try to maintain a constant speed; this is good adviceanytime but particularly in winter.

» Remove roof carriers after each use. Installedpermanently, the carrier increases air resistanceand fuel consumption.

THE VARIOUS TYPESOF BLOCK HEATER

THE BLOCK HEATER:AN ALLY IN THE DEPTHSOF WINTER

HEATING ELEMENT

There are different types of block heater, but the most

efficient and popular uses a heating element inside the

engine block. Other block heaters are installed on the

outside of the engine block. They are also designed to

heat the engine coolant and they perform satisfactorily.

HEATING PAD

Block heaters of the heating pad variety, which are atta-

ched to the engine oil pan, assist with cold-weather

starts. However, they do not do much to raise the coolant

temperature. Since the motor takes longer to warm up,

any benefits in fuel consumption and pollution reduction

are minimal.

WITH OR WITHOUT TEMPERATURE SENSOR

Some vehicle manufacturers include a temperature sen-

sor on the electrical wire for the factory installed block

heater. This sensor cuts electrical power to the block

heater when the temperature is above -18°C (or another

preset temperature).

With a sensor, there is no point in plugging the car in if the

outside temperature is above that set on the device. The

sensor is usually located close to the power plug. If in doubt,

consult the vehicle owner’s manual.

7

TYPESOF BLOCK HEATER

BENEFITS» Assists starting andaccelerates passenger-compartment warming

» Contributes to reductionsin fuel and greenhouse-gasemissions

FUNCTION» Raises the temperatureof the coolant

FUNCTION» Warms the engine oil

BENEFITS» Assists cold-weatherstarting

LOCATED ON THEINSIDE OR OUTSIDEOF THE ENGINE BLOCK

HEATINGELEMENT

ATTACHED TO THEENGINE OIL PAN

HEATING PAD

HOW LONG SHOULDTHE BLOCK HEATERBE PLUGGED IN?

For the vehicle’s engine block to warm up sufficiently,

it is recommended that the block heater be plugged in

at least 3 hours before starting when the temperature

is below -5°C.

In 3 hours, a block heater inside the engine block raises

the temperature of the coolant to a level that assists

starting and produces savings. According to our study*

the temperature after 3 hours is about 20°C higher than

when the heater was plugged in. Below -20°C, however,

it can be useful to plug it in 4 hours ahead of time.

AND IF IT’S PLUGGED IN FOR LONGER?

Plugging in a vehicle for more than 4 hours makes such

a negligible difference that it does not justify the additional

electricity cost.

HOURS

°C

30

20

10

0

-10

-20

21 43 65

HOW MUCH DOES IT COSTFOR ONE WINTER?

USE A TIMER FORMAXIMUM SAVINGS!

To ensure you use only enough electricity to warm your

engine over a period of 3 hours, get an external timer.

These small devices cost $15 to $30 but can reduce

electricity consumption threefold for

a vehicle that is plugged in all night

(10 hours) when the temperature

is below -5°C.

†Bas

edonan

electricity

rate

of$0.074

6perkilowatt-hour.

9

SMALLER VEHICLES4 cylinders(400 watts)

� �

MID-SIZED VEHICLES6-8 cylinders(600 watts)$25†

LARGE VEHICLES8 cylinders and some diesel trucks/vans

(1000 watts)

About

VEHICULES

The costs of using a block heater are minimal compared

with fuel savings and reduction of greenhouse gases.

Here are the costs for plugging in your vehicle for 16weeks

of winter, 3 hours a day (using a timer).

$15†About

$10†About

FASTER CABIN COMFORT

THE MANY BENEFITSOF A BLOCK HEATER

Plugging in a block heater 3 hours before departure

means the passenger compartment of your vehicle will

reach a comfortable temperature much more quickly.

According to our study*, at an average temperature of

-10°C, vehicles that are plugged in reach a comfortable

cabin temperature 40% faster.

6

5

4

3

2

1

0

Block heaterplugged

Block heaternot plugged

MIN

UTES

SAFER DRIVING

A block heater plugged in 3 hours before departure

ensures faster defrosting of windows. So you benefit

from better visibility, which improves safety.

Number of minutes required for the passengercompartment to reach the temperature of 18°C

LESS ENGINE WEAR

11

Remember: cold-weather starting is a cause of prema-

ture engine wear. Using a block heater is easier on your

engine because starting a pre-warmed engine places less

demand on internal components.

In addition, engine lubricants are less contaminated by

low-efficiency combustion. For this reason, drivers with

vehicles equipped with electronic maintenance reminders

can sometimes enjoy longer periods between visits to

the garage.

Some automobile manufacturers consider a block heater

an essential accessory and provide it as standard equip-

ment. These manufacturers respect the environment.

When purchasing a new vehicle, consider buying a block

heater immediately. When included as standard equip-

ment, the price is usually 50% less than buying one after

the vehicle has left the assembly plant.

ESSENTIAL IN QUEBEC

NOT TO MENTIONTHE FUEL SAVINGS!

Given the price of fuel these days, this is not a minor

consideration. Remember that a vehicle’s fuel consump-

tion is much higher when the engine has to start in cold

weather. If you have any doubts about the usefulness of

a block heater, the following should convince you.

According to our study*, a vehicle’s fuel consump-

tion decreases when a block heater is used in

cold weather. As part of this study, tests were

conducted on various trips with different types

of vehicles, including a hybrid. The vehicles were

all driven avoiding “jackrabbit” starts and heavy

acceleration. At the end of the tests, the average reduc-

tion in fuel consumption for plugged-in vehicles was

15% – and even higher – on trips of less than 20 km.

Note that fuel economy can vary depending on outside

temperature at start-up, the route travelled, road condi-

tions, mechanical condition of the vehicle, engine size

and, especially, how the vehicle is driven.

FUEL SAVINGSCAN REACH 15%OR EVEN MORE

13

THE COLDER IT GETS, THE MORE YOU SAVE

The average temperature recorded for all the tests was

-10°C. An interesting fact: results in colder temperature

(for example -15°C) showed even greater fuel savings.

The vehicles tested were plugged in at least 3 hours be-

fore departure. All vehicles showed a reduction in fuel

consumption compared with identical vehicles that were

not plugged in.

FUEL-HUNGRY VEHICLES BENEFIT MOREFROM BEING PLUGGED IN

Drivers of high-fuel-consumption vehicles, usually with

larger engines (for example 4-wheel drives), show grea-

ter net savings when using a block heater. This is not

insignificant, particularly if the daily route is over short

distances or on roads that place greater demand on

mechanical parts.

VERY REAL SAVINGS

Plugging in a block heater 3 hours before departure on

a trip of about 20 kilometres on a regular basis during

winter produces savings of:

»About $20 in fuel for a compact vehicle

» About $34 in fuel for a mid-sized car

» About $35 in fuel for a small SUV

» About $43 in fuel for a full-sized truck/van

Based on a cost of $1 per litre of fuel.

Cost of electricity is included in the calculationsso this is net savings.

HOW TO CALCULATEFUEL CONSUMPTION?

To calculate a vehicle’s fuel consumption – and savings

– simply record the necessary information in a log, like

the one below. Or use a fuel consumption monitoring

table, downloadable at:

www.aee.gouv.qc.ca/en/my-driving/advice-for-drivers

DateKilometreson odometer

Kilometrestravelled

Litres of fuelconsumed

Litres

100 kmCost of fuel($)

Calculation method:

Litres

Kilometres= Number of litres per 100 kmX 100

“MY CARWILL GET SPOILED”

Absolutely wrong! Plugging in a car will not make it

“temperamental” or prevent it from starting without the

block heater. Humans feel chilly, not metal…

It’s important to remember the benefits of a block

heater. Consider: preventing just one breakdown often

means you will save much more than the cost of buying

and using a block heater in winter, and it avoids delays

and inconvenience.

15

A SIMPLE GESTUREFOR THE HEALTHOF OUR PLANET

As well as helping to reduce fuel consumption, using

a block heater significantly cuts emissions of several

pollutants that are harmful to human health and the

environment.

When a vehicle is not plugged in during cold weather,

it emits a lot of pollutant gases at start-up and until it

has reached its normal operating temperature, including

carbon monoxide (CO), hydrocarbons (HC) and nitrogen

oxides (NOx). So, using a block heater is environmentally

responsible.

USING A BLOCK HEATER BRINGSNOTHING BUT BENEFITS:

YOU HAVE EVERYTHINGTO GAIN

» Reduced fuel consumption

» Savings on vehicle maintenance

» Fewer greenhouse gas emissions

» Faster cabin comfort

» Greater safety on the road

» and even more!

Plugging in your vehicle in cold weather

is a social gesture that everyone should make

out of respect for the environment.

GET CONNECTED!

ARE YOU SAVING MONEY WITHYOUR BLOCK HEATER?

SHARE YOUR EXPERIENCEBY WRITING TO US AT:

WE WELCOME YOUR QUESTIONSAND COMMENTS TOO!* Study on the use of block heaters conducted by CAA-Quebec,with financial support from the Agence de l’efficacité énergétique, winter 2008.

[email protected]

132-2000-A

(2009-11)