Auld Yin

Block heaters are not needed/used in some parts of the country. They are not needed in the Toronto region for example and would not be standard installation there.

DaveLovesDee

I would rather have one than not need it. I know most of my Canadian friends in the GTA have block heaters on their vehicles, just in case.

Brownstar

Agree, unless its a heated garage. Some friends of ours had frozen and exploding cans of pop in their unheated garage last winter.

Used teh block heater last night, car started almost immediately in -28 temps this morning and was up to running temp quicker than normal if I don't use it

purple80

No Iank yet?
You cannot have a thread that mentions block heaters without him.....

Stuart8472

What all should I be looking at purchasing as far as winter clothes go?

I dont own a hat, gloves, scarf or jacket as it stands!!

Atlantic Xpat

All of the above. www.marks.com

Souvenir

Our car, an 8-year old Pontiac Shitfire, doesn't have a block heater and has never been parked in a garage. It has never failed to start first time.

I don't see the need for a block heater in the GTA and I don't know of anyone around here that has one.

Stuart8472

My brother has been winding me up that people go to work in ski outfits complete with snow boots etc...

I take it i'll be ok with a good gore-tex jacket and a set of gloves on?

Atlantic Xpat

You might want a pair of snow boots or other stout boots and leave a pair of shoes at work to wear inside. Aside from that a decent jacket (doesn't neccessarily have to be goretex, gloves and a hat are all that is required. The hat is important, especially for those of us getting a little thin on top!

moondevil

erm depends where you are going
You know they say that fashion is out of the window here in canada

Thermals are my new love in life....do i care if i look sexy...................erm NO..i am warm

At -30 outside sod the fashion until it warms up

Souvenir

It's not a wind-up. Since Souvette started to commute by bus, she has been leaving the house dressed for the Arctic. She changes when she gets to the office. That is not unusual.

She looks quite the picture. Asterix the Gaul toque, fur coat and snow boots, plus bright red mittens. That combo attracts zero comments or funny looks.

Stuart8472

So I should honestly be thinking about going to work in something other than shoes? Its common for people to turn up with snow boots on?

Atlantic Xpat

Unless you like having wet and cold feet. In Canada, aesthetic appeal of clothing comes second to practicality, especially in winter.

Stuart8472

**** - this will take some getting used to.

Thanks for the advice - I honestly thought I was getting wound up.

Souvenir

It would be foolish to wear normal shoes outside in winter, particularly leather ones. Salt. I knackered a pair of Church's in an hour before I learned.

Nobody cares a toss what you dress like. It's the same in summer.