Will A 125W Heat Pad Be Enough For 6 Quart Oil Pan On Pickup In The Winter?

Updated 11/13/2025 | Published 11/05/2025

Products Featured in This Question

Zerostart Silicone Pad Heater - Oil, Hydraulic, Transmission Fluid - 3" Round - 120V/125 Watts

(1)

$121.14

Zerostart Heat Magnet Heater - 2-1/2" Long x 4-3/8" Wide - 120V - 200 Watts

$94.50

Question:

Would one 125-watt pad be enough for my 6-quart pickup oil pan? using overnight. I already plug in overnight with block heater for coolant. but that doesn't really help oil

asked by: Roger

Expert Reply:

Roger, the Zerostart 3 inch pad # ZE75MR is rated for 3–6 quarts, so you’re right at its upper edge. It’ll still help, but if you’re in extreme cold below –10°F or want faster heat-up, adding a second pad would perform better. Either way, you'll be safe to use it overnight as it has a thermostat that shuts it off or turns it back on when needed.

We also have a magnetic version # ZE35MR which puts out a little more heat and it just sticks onto the steel surface, then removes when you hit the road. I do like the silicone version more though since it is permanent and you just leave it there all the time. Either way, each setup with get that engine oil pre-heated to get on the road sooner.

How often do you plug in before driving? Some Northern folks need to on a daily basis. You may also benefit from a battery heat pad.

expert reply by: Andrew N

Roger

11/13/2025

Thanks, Andrew. Truck’s a 2010 F-150, and I’m in northern Wisconsin, so it’s often below zero. I usually plug in around 10 p.m. and leave it until morning.

Andrew N.

11/13/2025

@Roger Perfect - that 125-watt Zerostart pad # ZE75MR will do fine for that 6-quart pan if you’re giving it that much time overnight. Do you have the truck parked in a garage or fully outside overnight?

Roger

11/13/2025

@AndrewN Hey Andrew. Outside, unfortunately. The garage is full of the snowblower and the wife’s car! I’m happy if the truck just starts in the morning without much fuss or having to use jumpbox.