BaySheet
Opening the sheet…
BaySheet
Opening the sheet…
In-depth guide
2020 Ford F-150
2020 F-150 block heater, if equipped. Grounded 120-volt use, a 16-gauge outdoor cord, and about three hours to full temperature.
| Item | Figure |
|---|---|
| When it helps | Most effective when outdoor temperatures are below 0°F (-18°C). It warms the engine coolant so the climate control can respond quickly. |
| Power | Grounded 120-volt AC. The heater uses 0.4 to 1.0 kilowatt-hours per hour. It has no thermostat. |
| Time | Maximum temperature after about three hours. Longer than three hours does not improve performance and uses electricity. |
| Cord | 16-gauge outdoor extension cord certified by UL or CSA, marked Suitable for Use with Outdoor Appliances. Use as short a cord as possible. Do not use an indoor cord outdoors, and do not use multiple cords. |
| Diesel cold start | For diesel cold-weather starting, the book recommends the block heater at -9°F (-23°C) or colder. The diesel oil viscosity section repeats a recommendation below -9°F (-23°C). |
| Under-hood cord | If the block heater cord is under the hood, do not remove the wiring from its original location, and do not close the hood on the extension wiring. |
Source: owner's manual / last verified 2026-10-15 (2020 F-150 Owner's Manual, version 3, July 2019, engine block heater (opens in a new tab)).
Difficulty, time, and cost are estimates when this guide gives them. Torque is a cited figure, or it is left off.
Main source: 2020 F-150 Owner's Manual, version 3, July 2019, engine block heater (opens in a new tab), Ford Motor Company, published 2019-07-01, read 2026-10-15.
Numbers on this page come from the cited source. Match the engine before you use a capacity or a torque. Do not work under a vehicle held only by a jack.
Dry cloth
Clean the receptacle terminals with a dry cloth if they are not already clean and dry.
| Item | Figure | Where it comes from |
|---|---|---|
| When it helps | Most effective when outdoor temperatures are below 0°F (-18°C). It warms the engine coolant so the climate control can respond quickly. | Engine block heater |
| Power | Grounded 120-volt AC. The heater uses 0.4 to 1.0 kilowatt-hours per hour. It has no thermostat. | Using the engine block heater |
| Time | Maximum temperature after about three hours. Longer than three hours does not improve performance and uses electricity. | Using the engine block heater |
| Cord | 16-gauge outdoor extension cord certified by UL or CSA, marked Suitable for Use with Outdoor Appliances. Use as short a cord as possible. Do not use an indoor cord outdoors, and do not use multiple cords. | Engine block heater |
| Diesel cold start | For diesel cold-weather starting, the book recommends the block heater at -9°F (-23°C) or colder. The diesel oil viscosity section repeats a recommendation below -9°F (-23°C). | Cold weather starting, and diesel engine oil |
| Under-hood cord | If the block heater cord is under the hood, do not remove the wiring from its original location, and do not close the hood on the extension wiring. | Engine block heater |
This section is labeled if equipped. The element is in the engine block, with a wire harness, and it connects to a grounded 120-volt AC source.
Use a 16-gauge outdoor cord certified by Underwriters Laboratory (UL) or the Canadian Standards Association (CSA), suitable for cold temperatures, and marked Suitable for Use with Outdoor Appliances. Do not use an indoor cord outdoors. Use as short a cord as possible, and do not chain cords together.
Keep the plugs free of water and firmly connected. After about 30 minutes, check for heat anywhere in the electrical hookup. Clean the receptacle terminals with a dry cloth if needed.
If the block heater cord is under the hood, do not remove the wiring from its original location, and do not close the hood on the extension wiring.
Unplug and stow the system before starting and driving. Seal the prongs with the protective cover. Check the heater for proper operation before winter. Maximum temperature is about three hours, and running it longer does not improve performance.
This July 2019 printing adds a sentence the 2018 heater section did not print: if the cord is under the hood, do not remove the wiring from its original location and do not close the hood on the extension wiring. The diesel cold-start section still recommends the heater at -9°F (-23°C) or colder, and it says not to crank the diesel more than 10 seconds.
Outbound links only. BaySheet does not sell parts. Confirm fitment on the retailer page. Amazon links are searches for a real part name plus this vehicle. Tool rows do not get a product search. The search is not a part number.
Tool
Dry cloth
Clean the receptacle terminals with a dry cloth if they are not already clean and dry.
The maintenance checklist is on the site now. The email list is not sending yet, so this box will not store an address.
Same repair, different model year. Use the page that matches the truck or car in the driveway. A figure on one year is not a figure for the next.
These guides cover the same kind of work. Their numbers belong to those vehicles, not to this one.