block heater

American  

noun

1. an electrically operated immersion heater fitted either to enter the water hose or the water jacket surrounding the cylinder block of a motor to warm the coolant in cold weather.

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Example Sentences

Ford is recalling almost 117,000 cars from older Focus, Escape, and MKC models due to a potential engine block heater issue.

From Barron's

You can take some of the stress off by using an engine block heater.

From Seattle Times

An engine block heater plugs directly into your vehicle to keep engine components and fluids warm when it’s not being used.

From Seattle Times

General Motors is recalling more than 331,000 diesel pickup trucks in the U.S. for a second time because the engine block heater cords can short circuit and cause fires.

From Washington Post

GM says in documents posted Thursday by U.S. safety regulators that shorts can develop in the heater cord or terminals that connect the cable to the block heater.

From Seattle Times