An engine preheater is installed on various types of cars, heavy trucks, special vehicles. Equipped with this device, it makes it easier to start the engine internal combustion, increases the service life power unitand also improves comfort when using the machine in winter.

On car models that are not equipped with a standard engine heating system, it is possible to install this device. However, during installation, you need to choose the right heater for the motor correctly, and install it correctly.

Why do you need a pre-heater?

Cold start of the power unit reduces its resource by 400-500 kilometers. In addition, not every attempt to start a car in winter ends successfully. It is most difficult to start the engine in the northern latitudes of Russia, where, the drivers of heavy vehicles, do not turn off the engine for the night, thereby preventing it from cooling down. This affects fuel consumption and the resource of the power unit.

Previously, blowtorches were used to warm up the motor. The disadvantage of this method was that the flame could damage the car, in addition, certain knowledge and skills were required to work with this device.

To solve the problems of winter starting the engine, you need to purchase a pre-heater - a device that heats the engine and interior before starting the car. It significantly increases the service life of the power unit, increases the comfort of travel in a warm cabin and reduces fuel consumption.

Types of car preheaters

Prestarting car heaters, depending on the type of their power supply, and the field of application, are divided into:

• Electrical.
• Autonomous.

In turn, autonomous heaters are divided into:

• Air.
• Liquid.

Systems preheating engine are also divided by the type of fuel used by the car. For gasoline and diesel engines use different types heaters.

When installing, take into account the form vehicle, and the type of heater. If the device is selected incorrectly, heating the engine before starting will be ineffective or will lead to boiling of the brake fluid.

Electric pre-heaters for 220 volts

The electric heater has a simple design. The coolant is heated - subsequently it flows through the tubes of the cooling system and heats up the engine of the machine. Most often, an electric heater has a cord connected to a 220 volt outlet and a heating element.

The device, depending on the configuration, is equipped with a device for recharging battery machine, timer with thermostat, fan, remote control.

Installation of such a device is quite simple and does not require a visit to a specialized service center. To complete it, you will need to carry out the following procedure:

1. Drain at least 2 liters of antifreeze.
2. Disconnect the pipe from the stove.
3. Install the heater. To do this, use the complete heater bracket.
4. Connect the car heater to the stove using hoses.
5. Connect the pipes to the stove, assemble the entire system.
6. Pour antifreeze or antifreeze.

As for the nuances of use, then, in most cases, it takes no more than 30 minutes to fully warm up the motor. However, at extremely low temperatures, the time will increase to 1–2 hours. The heating device, which is connected to the car heater, warms up the engine, the systems connected to it, and the interior of the vehicle. The heater should only be used if the air temperature does not exceed -5 degrees. In other cases, there is no need to use the vehicle heating system.

Do not exceed the engine warm-up time, this may lead to boiling of the coolant. In addition, overheating may result in a fire.

The average cost of an electric heater varies from 1000-5000 rubles, depending on the brand, country of origin and functionality.

In the Scandinavian countries, parking posts are equipped with 220V sockets, which allows you to put the car on warming up at any time.

Autonomous engine preheating system

Autonomous heaters are much more convenient than electric ones, since they can function without being connected to a 220 volt network. However, such devices are more expensive and difficult to install. The device is a small chamber with a drip pin and a fuel-air mixture inside. The chamber walls have a constantly circulating coolant, which, when warmed up, warms up the engine, interior and helps to thaw the windows.

A self-contained heater is mounted either in the vehicle's cooling system or in the power supply system. Equally applicable to both gasoline and diesel engines.

Autonomous heaters are divided into:

• Liquid.
• Air.

Liquid autonomous heating devices designed for SUVs, minivans and compact cars. The preheater, designed for small cars, is installed on cars whose engine volume does not exceed 2.0 liters. Differs in high efficiency. Heaters intended for use on SUVs and minivans have large size and efficiency. However, they consume much more fuel. You can also find universal heating systems on sale; they can be used with equal success both on large cars and small cars.

Air ones are much larger in comparison with liquid ones, but they also generate more heat. They are used on ships, airplanes, special vehicles and large trucks.

Heat accumulators

Heat accumulators belong to the liquid type of car heater. The essence of the work lies in the fact that tubes of the car's cooling system pass through such a battery. During engine operation, excess heat accumulates in the battery and remains there for up to 48 hours. When a cooled engine is started, the pump is turned on and when antifreeze or antifreeze is pumped, heat is transferred to the cooling system.

The main advantage of such a device is high heating efficiency and long heat retention. The disadvantages include the complexity of the installation, and the need to replace the device components. Over time, valves, tubes and control levers wear out. Also, the disadvantage of operation is its cost. On average, a heat accumulator will cost a car enthusiast 7-8 thousand rubles.

When buying a heat accumulator, do not purchase models made in China or Russia. It is best to pay attention to devices made in Scandinavian countries. Such heaters can boast of high quality, good heat retention and efficiency.

Diesel fuel heaters

Under the influence of low temperatures, diesel fuel loses its fluidity. Diesel oil becomes cloudy, crystallizes and paraffinization occurs. As a result, the fuel becomes thick, which makes it difficult to pump through the filters, or completely makes it impossible.

One of the devices that makes it possible to protect diesel fuel from freezing is a preheater. Thanks to its use, the fuel in the tank and in the filter-separator is warmed up. For these purposes, the following types of heaters are used:

• Heated fuel intakes and heaters in the tank.

One of the most common options. After the end of warming up, diesel fuel enters fuel line... Heat is retained due to the flow of heated diesel fuel from the "return".

• Bandage heaters (in the form of a flexible tape).

The fine filter is warmed up, the device control button is located in the car interior. After reaching the operating temperature, the heater switches off automatically.

Popular models of preheaters

Among the models of preheaters, the following devices are especially popular:

A device made in Germany. Refers to compact heaters, economical in energy consumption. Powered by car battery... In the cold season, the engine warms up quickly and efficiently. In summer, it can ventilate the vehicle interior.

• Teplostar 04TS.

Domestic heater produced in Samara. Powered by a 220V outlet, it is simple and efficient to operate and maintain. Many motorists will appreciate the relatively low cost of this device. A special feature is the remote control of the device. Also, in the event of a failure, the operation of the pre-heater stops.

Norwegian heater of non-autonomous type. In addition to the main function of warming up the engine, it can recharge the battery (this option is useful, since the battery loses its power significantly in the cold). The buyer has the opportunity to purchase the basic and advanced kits, and combine them at their own discretion.

When buying a pre-heater, you should not save. Diesel heaters or heat accumulators, with poor assembly, can quickly fail, and technical fluids get into the engine compartment of the car. This will result in smoke or fire.

Summing up, it should be said that the use of a heater significantly speeds up the process of starting a car, saves fuel, and also makes traveling in a car more comfortable by warming up the air in the vehicle's interior.

Below is a video about car pre-heaters

3 The most affordable price

Prestart heaters are a proven solution for car owners who live in regions with cold winters and leave their cars in an open-air parking lot or in garages (hangars) without heating.

The review presents the best models of pre-heaters, the use of which will allow you to avoid huge starting loads of the engine in cold weather and significantly extend its resource. For the convenience of the reader, the information has been structured by typical categories of installations. The position in the rating of each model was formed based on the estimated characteristics of the heaters and feedback from owners with real operating experience.

The best liquid preheaters

The indisputable advantage of liquid fuel heaters is complete independence from other energy sources and the time the machine is in the cold. Prestarting heaters of this type burn the fuel that is in the car's tank. For the stove to work properly, there must be a working battery.

3 Binar-5S

The best domestic liquid heater
Country Russia
Average price: 24150 rubles.
Rating (2019): 4.9

The domestic company "Teplostar" has developed a whole line of autonomous heaters for gasoline and diesel cars. The Binar 5S Diesel model has ample opportunities. The device can work not only in preheating mode, but also as a preheating device. It is equipped with a GPS modem, which enhances the control of the heater. The model is designed for diesel engines up to 4 liters.

Car owners who decided to supply Binar-5S for engine heating, in their reviews note such advantages of domestic development as compact size, variability of installation and control. The device is notable for its affordable price, high quality workmanship, there is a self-diagnostic function.

2 Webasto Thermo Top Evo 5 petrol

The most popular autonomous heater
Country: Germany
Average price: 50,720 rubles.
Rating (2019): 4.9

The heaters of this German concern have become so popular among motorists that the concept of a pre-heater is often replaced with one word Webasto. Many models are designed for specific vehicles. The device can be started by a timer, from a remote control or via a mobile phone. One of the most popular modifications is the Webasto Thermo Top Evo 5 heater, which is perfect for cars, jeeps and minibuses with an engine capacity of no more than 4 liters.

Car owners note the high performance of the device, long and trouble-free operation, and unpretentiousness. The heater is completely autonomous, runs on gasoline and at peak load consumes 0.64 liters (in maintenance mode - almost half as much). In addition, there are many service centers in Russia where you can service and repair the popular Webasto.

The types of preparation of a car for a trip in winter presented in the table have both advantages and disadvantages. This allows each owner to choose the option most suitable for the prevailing operating conditions.

	Benefits	disadvantages
Autostart	Remote control and monitoring; An additional advantage of the "two in one" device is the presence of an alarm; Possibility of configuring autorun operation on schedule or engine temperature (the most relevant option for the northern regions).	Decrease in car anti-theft security (many insurance companies even refuse to provide the risks of theft or significantly increase the cost of the policy); Modern highly efficient motors on idling do not heat up, which means a cold interior; Provides a gentle mode of starting the engine only in the mode of operation when the engine temperature drops.
Autonomous pre-heater	Does not depend on external energy sources; Provides heating of the passenger compartment and engine fluids;	High cost and maintenance costs; Runs on fuel from the car's tank;
Electric pre-heater	Affordable cost; Easy to install and operate; Different devices are required for heating the car interior and the engine; Increases engine life by reducing starting loads.	Availability of "walking" accessibility to the AC network; In the absence of electricity, it will not be able to prepare the car for the trip.

1 EBERSPACHER HYDRONIC B4 WS

Excellent combination of price and quality
Country: Germany
Average price: 36,200 rubles.
Rating (2019): 4.9

The best liquid autonomous heaters are rightfully considered the Eberspacher models. They combine high quality and value. One of the most common heaters is the Eberspächer Hydronic B4WS 12V. It is installed by many car manufacturers on cars with engines of more than 2 liters. The power of the heater ranges from 1.5 to 4.3 kW. The range includes modifications for gasoline engines, as well as devices for heating diesel engines.

Consumers note the reliability and durability of the device. It is easy to operate and convenient to use. Due to the widespread distribution of heaters, many car services are engaged in their repair and restoration. Of the minuses, car owners note the high price of the device.

Best Electric Heaters

Electric heaters operating from a 220 V network are distinguished by their ease of installation and low price. The only drawback of the device is the need for a household electrical outlet near the car. The devices are suitable for cars that spend frosty nights in garages or boxes.

3 Longfei 3 kW

The most affordable price
Country: China
Average price: 2350 rubles.
Rating (2019): 4.5

The Chinese Longfei pre-heater is designed to raise the temperature of the coolant in a car using a household power supply. One of the most demanded devices was Longfei 3 kW. Heating of the liquid is provided with the help of a heating element, and the pumping of antifreeze along the circuit of the cooling system is carried out thanks to a centrifugal pump. The device requires a 220 V power supply. The heater can be installed on any passenger car and trucks... The model is equipped with a thermostat, which allows you to maintain the set temperature regime coolant.

Buyers speak flatteringly about products from the Middle Kingdom. The only drawback is the short cord. But the device can be independently installed under the hood, it has small dimensions and weight.

2 Satellite NEXT 1.5 kW with pump

Optimal ratio of quality and price
Country Russia
Average price: 2550 rub.
Rating (2019): 4.6

Excellent low cost solution for engine heating passenger car or minibus. You can install "Sputnik NEXT" yourself - simple circuit integration into the engine cooling system has this. Thanks to the forced circulation, even in severe frosts, the temperature of the antifreeze rises above zero.

Owners find this model to be a worthy alternative to more expensive pre-launch engine heaters. Judging by the reviews, the equipment performs its function quite effectively. The presence of simple automation will not overheat the antifreeze above the permissible limits (95 ° C), but will temporarily turn off the heater. The device is simple and unpretentious in operation, and in maintenance it requires minimal time expenditures. Thanks to the circulation, partial heating of the passenger compartment is also achieved (dash and windshield area).

1 Severs + with pump 2 kW

Easy to install. Mechanical timer
Country Russia
Rating (2019): 4.8

Domestic manufacturer CJSC "Leader" produces pre-heaters under the Severs brand. The new generation device is the 2 kW model Severs + equipped with a pump. This design provides fast and uniform heating of the coolant, both in cars and in trucks... The manufacturer has equipped the device with a thermostat, overheating protection, which makes its operation comfortable and safe.

Motorists cope with the installation of the heater without any problems, the kit includes detailed instructions... It is very convenient to set up the switching on of the device using a daily mechanical timer.

Best fuel heaters

One of the main problems diesel car in winter, fuel waxing becomes. The lower the temperature, the more the diesel oil thickens, clogging the pores of the filter. Effective way preservation of fluidity is the installation of a fuel heater.

3 ATK PT-570

Most economical
Country Russia
Average price: 4702 rubles.
Rating (2019): 4.6

A reliable heater will prevent diesel fuel waxing in severe frosts and will allow you to continue driving, regardless of weather conditions. Powered by the vehicle's cooling system and requires little or no maintenance... The injection into the fuel line can be carried out experienced driver independently - the procedure is not at all complicated and will require a minimum of time.

The owners in their reviews highlight the simplicity of the equipment, the absence of the need to connect to the vehicle's on-board network. With this heater it becomes possible to use summer diesel fuel at temperatures down to -40 ° C. In addition, the heated fuel enters the tank and moves further through the system in a heated state without forming paraffin crystals, which increases the service life of the lines. In addition, significant savings (up to 10%) of fuel are achieved, and drivers value the PT-570 fuel heater most of all for this.

2 EPTF-150 Y (YaMZ)

Best Fuel Filter Heater
Country Russia
Average price: 1305 rubles.
Rating (2019): 4.9

Based on experience domestic motorists NPP "Platan" has produced a series of fuel filter heaters. This device prevents the formation of paraffin in the filter element of diesel cars. Thanks to the heating of the fuel in the filter, it is possible not only to facilitate engine start-up, but also to slightly expand the limit of diesel fuel use towards lower temperatures. One of the most effective models is EPTF-150 Ya (YaMZ). The device is mounted inside the fuel filter, which ensures fast diesel warming up.

Motorists respond positively to the efficiency of the heater. Even a frozen filter, a semiconductor heater can warm up in 5-10 minutes. The device continues to provide filterability of diesel fuel while the car is in motion.

1 NOMAKON PP-101 12V

The best instantaneous fuel heater
Country: Belarus
Average price: 4700 rubles.
Rating (2019): 4.9

Simple and effective devices for heating diesel fuel were created by Belarusian developers from the Nomacon company. One of the most popular devices was Nomakon PP-101. It crashes into the fuel line, and heating comes from the on-board network. The heater can be controlled automatically or manually. Before starting the engine, it is enough to briefly turn on the heating for 5-10 minutes to ensure the filterability of the diesel fuel. When the car is moving, the device is powered from the generator.

Consumers note the unpretentiousness and durability of the device. It is easy to install it under the hood yourself, following the manufacturer's recommendations.

The best cabin heaters

This category presents the best devices that will allow the owner to forget what it means to get behind the wheel of a frozen car. The heaters will provide not only comfortable operation in the winter months, but also save the owner's most precious resource - time.

3 Calix Slim Line 1400 w

High quality equipment
Country: Sweden
Average price: 7537 rub.
Rating (2019): 4.8

The device does not have a mode of operation and is automatically regulated according to the temperature indicators of the interior air. The heater does an excellent job and is the optimal solution for most passenger cars and small crossovers. The device has a special stand and can be placed anywhere in the cabin (as a rule, it is placed in the area of \u200b\u200bthe central armrest or in the driver's seat).

The heater is easy to operate and has overheating and short circuit protection. In their reviews, the owners note the rather compact dimensions of the device and its high efficiency. It is also positively noted automatic control the operation of the heater - there is no fear that with prolonged use the air in the cabin will be unacceptably overheated.

2 DEFA Termini 2100 (DEFA connector) 430060

The most powerful electric heater
Country: Norway
Average price: 9302 rub.
Rating (2019): 4.8

An excellent solution for heating the interior of a large passenger car, jeep and even a truck cab. The electric heater is connected to a conventional 220 Volt network and has two heating modes. The built-in fan circulates air in the passenger compartment and heats up quickly. It is possible to use it together with the engine preheater systems of this company and remotely control it via the SmartStart console.

The owners, who decided to install DEFA Termini heaters in their cars, are more than satisfied - the cold steering wheel and the glass frozen from the inside are a thing of the past. Thanks to the built-in sensors, the interior air will be warmed up to a comfortable level, and with a further rise in temperature, an automatic shutdown occurs (55 ° C inside the device). Judging by the reviews, this device cannot be compared with ceramic heaters powered by the on-board network (their power is clearly not enough to fully warm up the car interior).

1 Teplostar PLANAR-44D-24-GP-S

The best interior heating
Country Russia
Average price: 23,900 rubles.
Rating (2019): 5.0

The device is an autonomous system that runs on diesel fuel and is a more affordable analogue of Webasto heaters. It can be installed on any type of transport - it perfectly warms up the interior from a passenger car to a minibus, and also copes with heating the body space in small cargo vans.

In the reviews of the owners, the compactness of the equipment is noted. Installation is quite simple and can be done on your own. When installed on vehicles with a gasoline engine, you need your own small fuel tank... The presence of a remote control is also positively noted, with which you can adjust the temperature of the cabin. At maximum power (4 kW), the PLANAR-44D will consume a little less than 0.5 liters of fuel per hour. With conventional heating or a small size, the car consumption will be only 0.12 liters of diesel fuel per hour.

Drivers in most of our country are interested in knowing how and how to warm up the engine in winter before starting it with their own hands. The problem of the engine plant in winter is familiar to all motorists. Even a fully functional car may not start in freezing temperatures of -30 ° C. Due to this, many people are trying to solve this problem. Sometimes preheating is provided as standard. Now almost everyone expensive versions cars are equipped with such devices.

This is especially true for diesel engines... They are almost always. This is due to the higher temperature required for their work. The rest of the car owners have to independently come up with ways to start the engine at low temperatures. Fortunately, there are many options for this now.

Heating types

How and how to warm up the engine in winter before starting it yourself? To answer this question, it is advisable to decide what you need from this device. All types of heating are divided into the following groups:

• Fuel heating;
• Heated engine.

The first method is most often used on diesel units. As you know, "diesel fuel" in the cold can turn into a gel-like state. Therefore, quite often it is the fuel that is heated. This is not necessary in gasoline engines. Heating the unit itself is more efficient. This reduces the risk of damage to the elements of the piston group. Indeed, when the engine is started in the cold, the pistons heat up much faster than the block.

As a result, due to the expansion of the pistons, scuffing of the cylinders can occur, and the engine can also jam. There are several options for heating the engine. Below we will look at how to make your own heating device.

Manual heating

To begin with, consider the option when you do not have a standard device for heating the engine. And after a sharp frost, your iron friend refused to start. This happens most often for two reasons:

• On diesel engines, the fuel freezes (sinning the same), then you have a direct road to a warm box. This is the most reliable way;
• The oil thickened. This can often be found on gasoline engines, when using not too high quality, or not corresponding to climatic conditions oil.

If there are few ways to heat the fuel. But frozen oil can be dealt with quite easily. To do this, you need a blowtorch and a sheet of tin or iron. We put this sheet under the engine and direct the torch of the lamp at it. As a result, it will be warm enough under the machine to warm up the oil to the required condition.

Fuel heating

For manufacturing, you will need a rifle sleeve, a 12 mm caliber option will do. You will also need the following things:

• Copper wire;
• Relay;

A hole is made in the sleeve and a thread is cut in it. A candle is screwed into the hole made. The resulting device is connected to the on-board network through a relay and lowered into the tank. It can only be used with the ignition off.

Heated engine

There are several layout options. The choice of what specifically to collect depends on your skills, as well as the availability of the tool.

Most often, antifreeze is heated. This method is best for quickly warming up the engine. It can also be used when it is necessary to maintain a high operating temperature of the motor. To do this, you will need 2 flanges (one plastic), a heating element (a small piece of copper wire), a seal, an 80A relay and a switch.

You also need 2 meters of wire for connection and a 50 A fuse. All this is collected and tested for functionality. Then it crashes into the engine heating system, preferably into a small circle. The most optimal place is in front of the stove radiator.

To make another fixture, you will need a plumbing tee. You also need to buy a heating element. A device for heating running water is suitable, but it must be equipped with a thermostat. A 10 cm long pipe is screwed onto one end of the tee. The other outputs should be fitted with plugs with the possibility of connecting hoses to them. A heating element is placed in the pipe. After that, the heater is connected to the engine, it is best to place it also near the stove. The terminals of the heating element are connected to the battery through a relay and a switch.

Conclusion... In our country, the climatic conditions are quite difficult. Therefore, most drivers ask themselves how and with what to warm up the engine in winter before starting with their own hands? After all, engine operation at extremely low temperatures can lead to the need for overhaul.

Many manufacturers of foreign cars, focusing the sale of their cars on russian market, offer models with an installed autonomous preheater for the engine and passenger compartment. This option is especially valuable in regions with a long winter operating season. Do not be particularly upset for those motorists whose cars are not equipped with a factory engine preheater. To buy it and install it on any car brand is currently no problem in any region of the country. Here, the more relevant question is how effective this equipment is and whether it is worth the costs that are required to purchase and install it.

For this you need a pre-heater for the engine in winter.

What does the preheater look like and what does it consist of?

Depending on the purpose and principle of operation, the pre-heater can be a device of various dimensions and power used to warm up the engine without cold starting. In addition, it can be used to heat the passenger compartment, windscreen and wipers. Autonomous equipment includes a boiler with a combustion chamber and a radiator, a pipeline system for transferring fuel, pumps that pump fuel and coolant. It also includes a thermostat that controls the climate system fan, the electronic unit control and heater start device.

Thermo Top liquid preheater

Types of car preheaters

1. Autonomous engine preheater

By designation and device, autonomous preheaters subdivided into liquid and air types.

Autonomous liquid preheaters

Video: Webasto or Hydronic (Webasto or Hydronic) which is better

Designed for heating both the engine and the passenger compartment. They are called so because they work by burning gasoline or diesel fuel from a car tank. They are mounted in the engine compartment and connected to the system liquid cooling motor. The heated air is distributed through the internal air ducts of the vehicle. The system is economical in terms of fuel and energy consumption, and does not make a lot of noise during operation. It is used for heating all types of internal combustion engines - gasoline, diesel, LPG and combined.

Autonomous air preheaters for internal combustion engines

Designed for accelerated temperature rise in the passenger compartment only. They are installed in the cab of a car and are used mainly in passenger minibuses, rotational trailers and shelters, long-range cargo vehicles. They can heat the air in the passenger compartment to a predetermined temperature. They also work silently and consume a little electricity. In contrast to liquid devices, air devices have large dimensions and performance, so the fuel consumption in them is slightly higher. The most popular in the country are such brands of German-made liquid heaters as Webasto Thermo Top Evo 5 and Eberspasher Hydronic.

The principle of operation of the liquid engine preheater

This is how the autonomous liquid engine heater works.

The device is activated from a remote control, timer or cell phone. The start pulse, hitting the electronic unit, generates a control signal that supplies the supply voltage to the executive motor. The motor rotates to drive the heater fuel pump and fan. The pump begins to pump fuel into the burner, where an air-fuel mixture is created with the help of an evaporator and a glowing pin.

The combustible mixture blown by the fan is ignited in the combustion chamber with a spark plug. The heat generated by the combustion of the fuel is transferred through the heat exchanger to the working fluid of the engine cooling system. The liquid circulates in the cooling circuit under the action of the preheater booster pump included in this circuit. The heated liquid in the process of circulation transfers the received heat to the engine body.

When the coolant temperature reaches 30 degrees C, the radiator fan of the car's cooling system is automatically activated. begins to enter the salon. When the antifreeze or antifreeze is heated to 72 degrees C, the fuel supply to the burner is reduced by half, and the system switches to a reduced operating mode. The liquid is cooled to 56 degrees and the whole process is repeated cyclically.

By design, the liquid autonomous pre-heater of the engine is similar to a passenger car heater and is a burner on liquid fuel (gasoline or diesel fuel). Even in cost, they differ only slightly, not to mention the principle of operation. However, according to the place of installation and the principle of heating, they are radically different.

In heaters, the burner heats directly the air supplied to the passenger compartment, and in the pre-heater it heats the coolant, which, in turn, heats the engine body and the standard stove. In order for the interior heating to work effectively, one should not forget about setting the stove control knob to the minimum "heat" mode. In this case, the heater control circuit will automatically turn on the fan at the right time, pumping warm air into the passenger compartment according to the standard air duct system. The result of this work will be noticeable from a distance, the car windows will be dry and transparent on a frosty morning. It will be warm and cozy in the cab, the wipers do not need to be removed at night, there is an opportunity to sit down and go straight to the road.

A convenient function is the remote control of the pre-start internal combustion engine heater... It can be turned on using the button on the car key fob while at home. This should be done at least half an hour before leaving (depending on the frost outside) so that the coolant and the engine have time to warm up to the desired temperature, and the engine starting process went without complications. There are systems with automatic start from the built-in timer, on which it is necessary to set the desired turn-on time before locking the machine.

2. Electric engine preheater

Device and layout of the electric engine heater

An alternative to the stand-alone system is an electric heater, which is a spiral electric heater inserted into the cylinder block of the power unit and powered by an external 220V power supply. The actuator in this system is a small electric spiral installed in the cylinder block.

When installing the spiral, the anti-ice plug is removed from the cylinder block, and the spiral is mounted instead of it. Under the influence of high voltage, a current flows through the coil, and it heats the antifreeze. The circulation of the liquid in the cooling system occurs due to natural convection. It is less productive than artificial circulation with a pump and takes much longer. The most prominent representatives of the electric heater are the Defa WarmUp and Leader Severs models.

This installation is most acceptable when parking cars in garages and parking lots equipped with electrical outlets. If you leave the car on the street or in the yard, then you will not need such a heater, since there will be nowhere to connect it. The downside is that it consumes a lot of electricity. To ensure economical operation of the device, it is equipped with a timer that allows you to set the required fluid temperature.

When the set value is crossed, the spiral is automatically turned off or turned on. Accordingly, in this case, the working fluid cools or heats up, which, in the process of convection, keeps the motor warm. The standard options for the electric motor heater are:

• warming up the working fluid in the engine cooling system;
• heating the interior by supplying warm air through a standard stove;
• battery charge.

The principle of motor heating in an electric heater is the same as in an autonomous system. Heat is also transferred to the motor by heating the working fluid in the cooling system. The difference lies in the heating method using an external power supply. This also makes it possible to apply additional option -, which is especially in demand in winter conditionswhen low temperatures contribute to its discharge and decrease in capacity.

3. Heat accumulators

The principle of operation of heat accumulators is based on the accumulation of hot working fluid in the cooling system and keeping its temperature unchanged for a long time (2 days). In such a system, when the engine is started, hot antifreeze or antifreeze circulates briefly along a shortened circuit, quickly warming up the engine. The classic representatives of such systems are Avtoterm, Gulfstream, UOPD-0.8.

What gives the use of pre-heaters

Professional drivers recognize the presence of an autonomous or electric engine preheater as a prerequisite for the complete set modern carguaranteeing the necessary healthy working conditions in winter period exploitation. For trucks operating in Europe, this principle has been observed for a long time. From the point of view of ensuring driving safety, their use contributes to increased comfort and reduced driver fatigue. Among other things, heaters help to increase the efficiency and durability of motors. This is achieved by:

Video: Engine preheater

1. Reducing the number of "cold" engine starts... It is estimated that, on average, each driver performs between 300 and 500 cold starts per year. At the same time, special studies in this area, carried out by well-known European companies, have found that, in terms of one "cold" start, the use of preheating the engine reduces fuel consumption from 100 to 500 ml. The amount of savings depends on the outdoor temperature and the heating duration. Thus, according to rough estimates, the use of preheating from autonomous heaters allows you to save from 90 to 150 liters of gasoline or diesel fuel in one winter season.

2. Reduction of severe operating conditions that increase engine wear... The overwhelming proportion of engine wear occurs during the start-up period. This is due to the fact that at the moment of a "cold" start, the viscosity of the engine oil is increased and the lubricating properties are reduced. At the same time, the friction of the surfaces of the moving parts is increased and the wear in the connecting rod-crank and piston assemblies is increased. One "cold" start reduces the resource of the power unit by 3-6 hundred kilometers. The Russian climate with 100 days a year of freezing temperatures can reduce the engine resource in one season by 80 thousand km.

3. Improving safety and comfort in driving... Cold contributes to increased heat transfer from the body and rapid fatigue. Drowsiness and lethargy increase, and driver alertness decreases. The driving mode is becoming more irrational. In addition, the risk of getting sick with such occupational diseases as cervical, lumbar osteochondrosis, acute respiratory infections increases.

With the onset of cold weather (usually "sudden" for any of us), each car owner thinks about whether his car will start or not. And even if the battery coped with the difficult task and the "cold start" was successfully carried out, with this method of operation, a number of negative consequences arise:

• engine parts wear out faster;
• the load on the battery increases: as a result, the service life is significantly reduced;
• the engine has been running at idle speed for quite a long time (and, this is not the most "useful" operating mode for it).

The preheating of the engine will not only prolong the “life” of the engine without repair, but will also significantly increase the comfort of using the car in winter.

The principle of operation and types of engine preheaters

All systems, regardless of design, installed in cars to facilitate starting the engine in the cold season, do not heat the engine itself, but increase the temperature of the surrounding coolant (they are called PZhD for short). Therefore, the antifreeze, which saves the engine from overheating while driving, warmed up with a pre-starting device, heats up the engine elements, which contributes to its easy start (even at very low temperatures).

According to the principle of operation, all engine preheaters (both gasoline and diesel) are divided into two main groups:

• autonomous;
• electrical.

The former use vehicle fuel as a source of energy. To operate the latter, you need to connect to a 220 volt power grid.

Autonomous pre-heaters

This type of engine preheaters is the most functional, since it does not depend on the connection to external energy sources (therefore, they are called autonomous). However, their cost is higher than electric ones. It is rather difficult to install such an engine heating with your own hands, without having the necessary technical skills and sufficient experience. Besides self-installation such high tech devices will void the vehicle warranty.

On a note! If the heater is installed in an authorized center, then all warranty obligations persist.

And, despite the rather high cost, such devices are very popular. By analogy with autonomous systems heating buildings, such devices are sometimes called boilers. Until recently, the most famous manufacturers of these products were the German "Webasto" and "Eberspacher (Hydronic)". But now they are worthy competitors Russian firms: "Binar" and "Teplostar"; and also the Chinese "Belief".

Autonomous heating consists of:

• fuel pump;
• spark plug or glow plug (tungsten or cobalt);
• evaporative burner;
• combustion chambers;
• heat exchanger;
• blower motor;
• coolant inlet and outlet pipes;
• control unit.

The boiler is installed in engine compartment and are built into the fuel and cooling systems of the vehicle. The diagram below helps you understand how an autonomous heater works.

When the device is turned on (with a button, a signal from a timer, a remote control unit or a GSM module), the air-fuel mixture enters the combustion chamber and is ignited by a glow plug (or a glow plug). When the mixture burns, the heat exchanger heats up, which leads to heating of the coolant. The pump pumps the antifreeze through the engine and radiator of the standard interior heating system. When the temperature of the liquid reaches about 60 ° C, the automation unit turns on the interior fan.

The heater "Webasto Thermo Top Evo Start" (5 kW), designed for installation on cars with an engine capacity of up to 5 liters, with a programmable weekly timer and installation parts costs about 25,000 rubles. The remote control unit (range of about 1 km) and the GSM unit (for the possibility of control from a mobile phone) must be purchased separately. Installation by a certified dealer will cost no more than 8000 ÷ 10000 rubles.

Passive electric heaters

In Canada and all Scandinavian countries, almost all parking spaces are equipped with sockets where such heaters can be connected.

In our country, only a few paid parking lots offer such a service. But, if you live in a private house or keep your car in the garage, then, undoubtedly, this device will greatly facilitate your life in cold weather.

Technically the easiest and most cost-effective way to preheat a diesel or gasoline engine before starting in winter - installing an electric heater in place of one of the engine block plugs. Technologically, it is a conventional boiler of a certain size and power. The circulation of the liquid is carried out by gravity (the heated one goes up, and the cold one goes down). The choice of product depends on the specific engine model. Devices are widely represented on the market, practically for all car brands from various manufacturers.

For example, electric preheating of the engine from "DEFA" for the VAZ "ten" with a capacity of 550 W with additional spacers (for better fixation on the inner side of the cylinder block) and a sealing O-ring costs 1,700 ÷ 1,800 rubles. And for " Subaru forester»A similar device (with a threaded mount) with a power of 600 W from the same manufacturer will cost 2600 ÷ 2800 rubles.

Depending on the type of plugs, manufacturers produce such devices both for threaded installation and for pressing. The model is chosen depending on the type of the engine itself.

Having even minimal technical skills, it is quite simple to install such a device for heating an engine from 220 V with your own hands (with a cable and a socket for connection):

• partially drain the coolant (usually 2 ÷ 2.5 liters are enough);
• dismantle the plug on the cylinder block (located closest to the central part of the engine to ensure better heating);
• insert a heating element instead;
• we connect the electric cable;

• the outlet for connecting the mains or take it out through the radiator grill (for those who are not very worried about appearance car), or we fix it in a convenient place on front bumper (or under it).

To make it convenient to use such a device, you can additionally set an on / off timer.

Electric heaters with forced circulation of coolant

Electric heaters with a pump (to circulate the heated fluid through the engine and the radiator of the cabin heater) allow the entire engine to warm up evenly. Although these devices are more expensive than passive electrical systems, they are much more efficient. A thermostat built into the housing automatically turns off heating when the liquid temperature reaches 80 ° C.

Installing such a device is quite simple:

• we drain the coolant;
• we fix the device case;
• we carry out a tie-in into the standard cooling system (between the exit from the cylinder block and the inlet pipe of the cabin radiator);
• fill in coolant.

Russian engine heater from 220 V "Sputnik NEXT" (power from 1.5 to 3 kW, which is chosen depending on climatic conditions of operation and engine size) with a pump and automatic power off costs from 2200 to 3200 rubles.

Having supplemented such a relay device with a temperature sensor to turn on the stove fan, we can count on not only an easy engine start, but also a car interior warmed up to a comfortable temperature.

Flexible thermoplates

The devices considered above, built into the cooling system, do not provide oil heating in engines. This is their significant disadvantage. In severe frosts, even with a well-heated engine, turning the thickened oil is quite problematic. Flexible heating plates for preheating the engine allow you to easily make homemade device, rather quickly (in just 20-30 minutes) increasing the oil temperature. Technologically, they are a heating element pressed between two layers of silicone. An adhesive composition (3M) is applied to one side of the plate, and a porous material with good thermal insulation on the other. The power of one heating element is from 60 to 400 W. Such devices are produced for connection to the on-board network of a car with a voltage of 12 or 24 V, or to a household power supply of 220 V. The cost of these products from Hotstart or Keenovo, depending on the size and power, is 2000 ÷ 8000 rubles apiece.

With the help of such devices, you can easily carry out heating of the engine sump or automatic box gear. One plate measuring 127 x 152 mm and 100 W is sufficient for a car with an engine up to 3 liters.

The installation of such products is quite simple:

• we clean the installation site from dirt and paint;
• then delete protective film and do not forget to glue the plate;
• apply a layer of sealant around the edges;
• we fix the electrical wires and drag them to the connection point.

By installing such plates (with a built-in thermal sensor) on the car tank and fuel filter, you can create a heating device fuel system diesel engine.

The main advantages of such devices are:

• Low power consumption.
• The ability to use for heating a wide variety of components and mechanisms of the car.
• Easy to install (original vehicle systems remain unaffected).
• Autonomy (when using plates with 12 V power supply).

In custody

Which heater is the best to install on the car depends on your personal preferences, financial capabilities and parking space. By installing a heating system from a trusted and well-proven manufacturer, you will not only save time, but also be sure that your car will start even in severe frosts.