Features to know about

Warm Thick Oil Without Opening the Engine

If your engine sits outside or in an unheated shop, cold oil can make starting harder than it needs to be. This 300-watt heater presses against the outside of the oil pan, transferring heat through the metal to help the oil flow more readily when it's time to start. It can also warm transmission fluid before operation, reducing the sluggishness that comes with freezing temperatures.

It's an option when your engine doesn't have a suitable core-plug opening or you'd rather not open the cooling system to install a block heater. Keep in mind that this heater warms oil or transmission fluid, not engine coolant.

Make Sure the Clamp Has Room to Fit

The 4" x 4" heating plate needs to sit firmly against the metal pan for good heat transfer. Before installing, look for a smooth, flat contact area and enough room to route the included mounting clamp around the pan. Raised ribs, irregular shapes, and nearby components can interfere with mounting.

Zerostart calls this a universal clamp, but that doesn't mean every pan will accommodate it. Checking the available space and how the clamp will secure the heater is important before choosing this mounting style.

Secure the Heater Without Adhesive or Magnets

Unlike silicone pads that require surface preparation and adhesive, this heater uses mechanical mounting hardware to hold its heating plate against the pan. There's no adhesive backing to apply or curing period to plan around. The clamp keeps the heater in place, making this another option for equipment that needs external oil heating.

Disconnect the Cord When You're Ready to Go

The included 5' silicone power cord connects to the heating element and can be detached without removing the heater from its mounting location. That's useful when you need to disconnect the power before operating your vehicle or equipment. The heater runs on standard 120V household power and uses approximately 2.5 amps.

Cold-Weather Experience Behind the Zerostart Name

Zerostart is a Phillips & Temro brand, from the company behind engine, battery, and equipment heaters. If the Zerostart name is new to you, know that this clamp-on heater comes from a manufacturer with years of experience developing products for cold-weather equipment operation.