[Chewyankles]

I have a 2012 BMW 328i and I keep having problems in the winter due to the extreme colds we get here. Most of the time my HUD doesn’t work at these temperatures (-10°f to -20°f) but I’m more worried about the short drives I take. When I drive to work, it’s short enough that the oil temp needle doesn’t even move. Is there anyway I can preheat my engine before leaving for work so it doesn’t strain my engine over time?

[Billfitz]

Time was midwesterners had electric block heaters that installed in a coolant hose to keep the engine warm. Motels even had outlets in the parking lot to plug them in. It wasn't to warm the engine per se, it was to keep mineral oil from thickening so much that the engine wouldn't start. Synthetic oils put an end to that need. But it gets so cold in the Great White North that they probably still use them. Maybe a Canuck can help out, eh? Hoser?

[nikijack]

Hoser here. In the bad old days, we'd put a piece of cardboard in front of the radiator. In the really bad old days, I'd run a cord and leave a light bulb under the Volkswagen engine at night.

[Billfitz]

I remember the cardboard trick, which did get the engine warmed up faster. I also remember the time I forgot to take it out on a warmer day and before I noticed it was overheating the head gasket blew. But it was a Renault, so no great loss.

I checked Amazon and you can still find block heaters.

[F32Fleet]

Originally Posted by Chewyankles

I have a 2012 BMW 328i and I keep having problems in the winter due to the extreme colds we get here. Most of the time my HUD doesn’t work at these temperatures (-10°f to -20°f) but I’m more worried about the short drives I take. When I drive to work, it’s short enough that the oil temp needle doesn’t even move. Is there anyway I can preheat my engine before leaving for work so it doesn’t strain my engine over time?

Drive the car for 30 mins on the hwy every week or so.