November 27, 2020 Lada.Online 14 047 7

In an attempt to warm the engine in winter, our grandfathers covered the engine with blankets and felt. Currently, special accessories called car blankets (insulation for a car engine) are offered for these purposes. Let's figure out why you need a car blanket and whether it is useful.

The car blanket label indicates

:

• Reduces the time and number of vehicle warm-ups
• Due to heat retention, the cabin temperature is always comfortable
• Fuel savings up to 20 liters per month
• Prevents the formation of ice on the hood
• Fire resistance, heat resistance, acid and alkali resistance

Is it really?

Types of insulation

There are different blankets for insulating engines. They are divided into different types and subspecies. For example, by material: fiberglass, synthetic, felt. They can also be divided by type of fastening: with removable or stationary. There are also various modifications of insulation (electric heating, additional fastenings). Each type has its own advantages and disadvantages.

There are also homemade options. Many drivers sew blankets for their cars themselves. However, you need to be careful when choosing materials. After all, if you use unsuitable materials, there is a high risk of fire when the engine heats up.

Experiment

Now there are a lot of different devices (such as ELM327 ) that allow you to take readings from the coolant temperature before entering the intake manifold. These two indicators are very important to us. Let’s conditionally divide these experiments into two different ones (city and highway). The driving style is the same (usual calm), without “pedal to the floor”

• CITY MODE

It was about -12 degrees outside, the length of the trip was about 7 - 8 km. The duration of the trip is about 32 – 35 minutes. Let's look at the graphs, the first is warming up the coolant, there are two graphs: blue - with a blanket, red - without it

It can be seen that the coolant temperature with the blanket rose faster and reached a level of about 90 degrees (and could have risen further if the cooling system had not turned on); without the blanket it reached this level much later, for about 10 - 15 minutes, if the cooling system was turned on, then very short period.

The inlet temperature differs even more. It needs to be clarified that this car is an ordinary naturally aspirated (not turbo) budget class car. Let's look at the schedule

It can be seen that warming up with a car blanket occurs much faster and the temperature under the hood itself is much higher (+ 40 degrees, instead of + 27 without it), despite the fact that it is 12 outside.

Let me remind you again that the trips are short, about 30 minutes; on the highway the situation is different.

• ROUTE. Conditions: travel at an average speed of 80 – 90 km/h, approximately 30-35 minutes. First, look at two graphs (there are already coolant and intake temperatures here).

As you can see, the difference is not that big, but with a blanket the engine warms up a little more, about + 5, + 10 degrees. BUT, in general, the cooling system copes with this “heat curtain”.

Of course, the readings were taken at -12 degrees, if it had been colder (say -25, -30), perhaps the car blanket would have contributed to greater and better warming. It seems to me that it can be calculated precisely for such temperatures

What conclusions can be drawn:

• The temperature limit increases, especially in the urban cycle, both of the engine itself and of the air that is sucked in from the engine compartment
• Since the intake air is warmer, there is a greater tendency to detonation, therefore, the ignition is set later, which leads to an increase in fuel consumption
• Power drops a little

As you can see, it’s a “double-edged sword,” well, now let’s talk about the cons

Budget models

Not all car enthusiasts have the money for expensive insulation. But don't be upset. After all, now you can find a good model at a relatively low price. (Of course, not from 100 rubles)

Cartage

An excellent medium-sized model (140x60 cm). Produced by the Russian company Cartage, therefore the price for this product in the domestic market is low. Ideal for insulating engines. The weight of the model is small - only 950 grams. Cartage is sold in a transparent cellophane bag. The manufacturer claims that the blanket will perform its functions for more than 2 years. This is also confirmed by some users of Cartage insulation in their reviews.

You can buy Cartage for only 1000 rubles in any specialized store.

Cartage insulation

Advantages:

• reliability;
• high degree of security;
• Suitable for many cars;
• excellent quality of tailoring.

Flaws:

• not dense enough.

Subcompact

Despite its name, this insulation device has a fairly decent size - 120x80 cm. To manufacture this model, the manufacturer uses materials that are resistant to high temperatures and alkalis. The heat is retained for a long time. With the help of the Minicar model, hundreds of drivers throughout Russia successfully warm up their cars even in severe frost. One of the features of the model is the absence of harmful emissions when heated to high temperatures. This device is suitable for almost all types of passenger cars. Service life without loss of properties is up to 5 years. These are not all the advantages of this model.

You can buy a “Small Car” for only 1,300 rubles.

Runabout insulation

Advantages:

• environmentally friendly materials;
• high-quality tailoring;
• resistance to alkalis and high temperatures;
• long service life;
• versatility.

Flaws:

• difficult to fit on some engines.

STP HeatShield

There are two types of STP HeatShield - for passenger cars and for SUVs. In addition to its main function (engine insulation), this device can also act as sound insulation. Many drivers claim that this foreign-made blanket significantly reduces noise levels when placed between the hood and the passenger compartment. STP HeatShield is not afraid of temperature changes. The device is made of materials such as canvas, a heat absorption layer and a self-adhesive coating. Also, special clips are used for fastening (there are eight of them in the set).

The price of STP HeatShield is from 1400 rubles.

STP HeatShield

Advantages:

• quality materials;
• safety;
• long service life;
• strength.

Flaws:

• cannot be cut.

Torso

One of the most popular insulation among budget models. It can be of different lengths. Therefore, Torso products are popular both among car drivers and among those who drive large vehicles (trucks, SUVs). Torso is really good. It is used by thousands of car enthusiasts from Russia and other CIS countries. These models are sold complete with a very convenient transparent bag, so the Torso is very easy to carry. The device weighs only one kilogram.

You can buy Torso in any specialized store for only 1000 rubles.

Torso insulation

Advantages:

• practicality;
• long service life;
• three whole years of warranty;
• Suitable for almost any car;
• can be conveniently stored in a special bag;
• good price.

Flaws:

• Not the best quality of tailoring.

Skyway

Perhaps the cheapest insulation for a car. Very different models are produced under this brand. There are both large Skyways for trucks and small ones for cars. These models are very popular among drivers from Russia. The blanket can last up to three years without losing its properties. It would seem that this is an ideal option, given the price. However, Skyway has one significant drawback - not very high-quality tailoring. But if you install it carefully and handle it with care, the Skyway can last for a very long time.

The price for Skyway is from 500 to 900 rubles, depending on the size.

Skyway insulation

Advantages:

• very low price;
• practicality;
• There are different sizes;
• performs its basic functions well.

Flaws:

• Not the best quality of tailoring.

Car blanket effect. What benefits do they promise?

YES everything is simple if you think logically? You can understand it yourself:

• The engine warms up faster. Essentially, this is a heat shield that prevents warm air from escaping upward, but reflects it downwards. Thus saving it a little
• That is, after this effect, the engine remains warm longer
• Warm-up time is reduced
• The number of starts is reduced, especially if you set an alarm based on temperature (that is, for example, at -20 degrees only 2 - 3 times, instead of 4 - 5)
• The car hood is clean. It does not warm up, the snow does not melt from above and, accordingly, ice does not form
• The noise goes away a little both inside and outside. That is, it is also soundproofing

That is, there are only advantages, but often on the forums it is specialists - auto mechanics who DO NOT ADVISE insulating the engine compartment in this way! Why? Before we get to the cons, I want to show you a little experiment (with graphs).

Middle price segment

In the middle price segment, insulation products with an ideal price/quality ratio are presented.

Phantom

This is insulation from a Chinese manufacturer with an average price. This alone doesn't mean the Phantom is bad. This model has a lot of good reviews on forms and trading platforms. By the way, Phantom can even be purchased on Aliexpress. Users note good durability and high efficiency. Installing this device is very easy. However, if there are any difficulties, you can always refer to the instructions included in the kit. The number of autostarts with Phantom is halved.

You can buy a Phantom for only 1,800 rubles.

Phantom insulation

Advantages:

• safety;
• wide functionality;
• reliability;
• can withstand very high temperatures.

Flaws:

• not found.

Heatshield 2 in 1 xl stp 41368

Heatshield 2 in 1 xl stp 41368 is suitable for almost any motor. After all, its size is 135x80. Suitable even for some trucks. The blanket is made of polyurethane foam. Heatshield 2 in 1 xl stp 41368 is very popular among drivers from the CIS countries. This model is very often used in Siberia, which already says a lot. Heatshield 2 in 1 xl stp 41368 is resistant to high temperatures and changes. In addition, the model is absolutely safe for the health of the driver and others.

Price Heatshield 2 in 1 xl stp 41368 – 2000 rubles.

Heatshield 2 in 1 xl stp 41368

Advantages:

• easy to use;
• big size;
• practical;
• there are many positive reviews.

Flaws:

• a bit overpriced.

Torso Premium №1

Torso Premium No. 1 is produced in the Russian Federation. The materials used are very durable fabric that is resistant to high temperatures. When heated to high temperatures, it does not release harmful substances into the environment. This blanket is sold in all specialized stores in the country. Torso Premium No. 1 comes with a very convenient carrying case. The quality of the product is very high, defects are excluded.

You can buy Torso Premium No. 1 for 1,544 rubles

Torso Premium №1

Advantages:

• long service life;
• easily withstands temperature changes;
• safety;
• reliability.

Flaws:

• not found.

Safe Blanket

Safe Blanket can be used to protect car glass from ice freezing. Thanks to this blanket, the driver will no longer have to waste valuable time scraping ice off the glass. Safe Blanket is sold only in company stores (there are both land-based retail outlets and online stores). The blanket is EAC certified. The manufacturer recommends using Safe Blanket at temperatures no higher than 25 degrees Celsius. There is a very good warranty - two whole years.

The price is also reasonable - 1600 rubles.

Safe Blanket

Advantages:

• protects the windshield from ice;
• practicality;
• 2 year warranty;
• durability;
• easy to operate.

Flaws:

• There are temperature restrictions.

Chrysler 300 C (AT#2)

The manufacturer of the Chrysler 300 C (AT#2) officially states that this blanket can save up to 20% of fuel (which is spent on warming up) and warm up the engine to the required temperature. Chrysler 300 C (AT№2) is produced in Russia (despite the use of the Chrysler brand) and is made from harmless materials. This is confirmed by the technical passport that comes with each insulation. The Chrysler 300 C (AT#2) is based on fiberglass threads. Therefore, this blanket will serve for a very long time and retain all its original functions.

Price Chrysler 300 C (AT№2) - 1800 rubles.

Chrysler 300 C (AT#2)

Advantages:

• reliability;
• very high quality tailoring;
• fiberglass is used;
• can soundproof the car interior;
• safety.

Flaws:

• not found.

Car blanket test (Main Road)

The TV show on NTV “Main Road” was tested at a temperature of -20°C:

• Standard car insulation;
• Izolon with foil / foil penofol;
• Car blanket;
• Felt.

Three experiments were carried out:

1. Time for the engine to warm up to operating temperature;
2. Engine cooling time to external temperature;
3. Fire safety (dousing insulation with gasoline and setting it on fire).

The time for warming up the engine to operating temperature without insulation and with insulation remains the same - 10 minutes.

Engine complete cooling time:

1. Without insulation - 3h20min;
2. Isolon with foil - 3h30min (+10min);
3. Standard engine insulation - 4h (+40min);
4. Felt - 4h40min (+1h 20min);
5. Auto blanket - 5h45min (+2h 25min).

Checking engine insulation for combustion : only the car blanket passed the test, which was only slightly charred after the gasoline burned out.

Attention! Isolon with foil can cause a short circuit and fire when it comes into contact with the battery terminals.

Premium (up to 9,000 thousand rubles)

This category contains the most expensive insulation for a car engine. However, models have been assembled, when purchasing which the driver does not overpay for the brand, but gives more money for quality.

Chrysler Concorde (AT No. 15)

And again, “parasitism” on the Chrysler brand. But what difference does it make if the thing is really high quality? Chrysler Concorde (AT No. 15) saves not only fuel, but also a lot of time that drivers spend on warming up. The Chrysler brand always produces things with a high level of quality and Concorde (AT No. 15) was no exception. Fiberglass is also used, but unlike AT#2 there is much more of it. Also, Chrysler Concorde (AT No. 15) allows you to soundproof the car.

Chrysler Concorde (AT No. 15) costs from 2100 rubles in stores.

Chrysler Concorde (AT No. 15)

Advantages:

• long service life;
• high level of reliability;
• fire resistance;
• good price.

Flaws:

• not found.

AutoTeplo No. 4

AvtoTeplo can be called a premium brand of insulation for car engines. Silica material, fiberglass threads, mullite-silica wool. No, these are not the materials from which rockets are made, AutoTeplo No. 4 is made from this. All the materials from which this blanket is made are of very high quality. The blanket is very large, but it weighs only three kilograms. Withstands up to 1200 degrees Celsius. Can be used even in the most extreme conditions.

However, the price of AutoTeplo No. 4 is 4,000 rubles

AutoTeplo No. 4

Advantages:

• incredibly durable materials;
• very high quality tailoring;
• reliability;
• durability;
• There is a full year warranty.

Flaws:

• the price is a little high.

StP Heat. Shield XL

The manufacturer claims that this insulation does an excellent job of sound insulation. This is why StP Heat is positioned. Shield XL is like a 2 in 1 device (insulation and fabric for noise insulation). To make StP Heat. Shield XL uses solid material. Therefore the blanket is very strong. Moreover, the weight is only one kilogram. Packaging with which StP Heat is sold. Shield XL can be used as a case. The blanket easily withstands any temperature changes. Can last up to five years. Fits StP Heat. Shield XL for almost all cars.

Price StP Heat. Shield XL - only 2,700 rubles.

StP Heat. Shield XL

Advantages:

• strength;
• reliability;
• safety;
• Suitable for almost any engine.

Flaws:

• not found.

Graphite Saturn

Another insulation from a Russian manufacturer. The model is very good. For its production, only high-quality materials (mainly textiles) are used. The weight of this blanket is only 1.4 kilograms. Along with the insulation itself comes an incredibly convenient bag. Saturn Graphite is suitable for virtually any type of engine. This Saturn Graphite is sold in the company's company store and in some specialized retail outlets.

You can buy Saturn Graphite for only 2,300 rubles.

Graphite Saturn

Advantages:

• very convenient case;
• easy to operate;
• safe;
• high level of reliability;
• long service life.

Flaws:

• not found.

Rating of the best

Autoheat

The product is made from environmentally friendly heat and sound insulating materials. The manufacturer (Chelyabinsk) does not recommend using the blanket at temperatures above 5 degrees.

Photo gallery: appearance of the Avtoteplo brand product

Autoheat blanket packaging

Autoheat blanket on a Chevrolet engine

Characteristics table

Table: pros and cons

Video review: car blanket “Avtoteplo”

The DiagnosT channel in its video spoke in detail about the shortcomings of the Avtoteplo product and indicated why this car blanket causes harm to the vehicle.

Reviews

Product Reviews:

1. Alexander. In principle, a useful thing for the northern regions. When I lived, for example, in Krasnodar, the winters there were warm and, in general, there were no problems with starting the engine, especially since the car was in a garage. But after moving to Novosibirsk, I felt all the “delights” of the Russian winter. The blanket really helps, but in the summer it definitely needs to be removed, as overheating is guaranteed.
2. Victor. Great thing, especially in winter. During the hot weather, a friend’s engine overheated, and as a result, the blanket was splashed with antifreeze all over. I personally don’t rent for the summer, but there is no such problem. I bought a cheap analogue in China, I can’t say anything bad.
3. Semyon. It's a useless thing, it doesn't help me personally in winter, the car has a 2109 carburetor. The engine freezes, the starter does not turn at all, despite the fact that the device itself is working.

TOP AUTO

A Russian-made product characterized by high fire resistance. According to the manufacturer, the product has an unlimited service life.

Photo gallery: photos of TOP AUTO products

Blanket TOP AUTO

Product TOP AUTO on the motor

Characteristics table

Table: pros and cons

Video review: characteristics of the “TOP AUTO” brand car blanket

The Denis MECHANIC channel in its video presented a practical test about using the TOP AUTO blanket and told why it is better not to buy it.

Skyway

The Russian-made blanket is fireproof and resistant to aggressive substances. Characterized by the presence of electrical insulating properties.

Photo gallery: Skyway products

Wrapped Skyway car blanket set

Unfolded product for Skyway car

Characteristics table

Table: pros and cons

Video review: Skyway car blanket

User Ivan Perevoshchikov presented a real consumer review of the Skyway car blanket in his video.

Reviews

Reviews about the Skyway blanket:

1. Artem. Don't hesitate to buy this blanket. It worked for me for less than a month (I bought it in February). Towards the end of winter, the temperature rose above zero, as a result, after a long trip, the blanket caught fire! I contacted the supplier - no one compensated me for the damage, they said that it was their own fault, because they used it incorrectly. It’s good that I noticed in time and there was a fire extinguisher in the car, I put it out in time and there was no particular damage to the engine.
2. Vladimir. The effectiveness of Skyway is zero. I didn’t notice any difference in time or time savings when warming up the engine; in general, the engine works the same. There is no fuel economy promised by the manufacturer. I sold it on the market on time, recouping at least half the cost.
3. Bogdan. In principle, a normal blanket, nothing special. In winter, the car starts normally, although before this I had not observed any problems in this regard. Not the most expensive product on the market, but not the cheapest either.

STP Heat Shield

Features of the car blanket from this manufacturer:

• made from environmentally friendly materials;
• Available only in black;
• allows you to reduce the operating noise of the power unit by 1.5 times.

Photo gallery: appearance of the STP Heat Shield product

Unfolded STP Heat Shield car blanket

STP Heat Shield blanket on engine

Characteristics table

Table: pros and cons

Video review: STP Heat Shield car blanket

The Baza Avtozvuka channel in its video presented a test of the STP Heat Shield blanket and tested its operation in conditions of elevated temperatures by setting it on fire.

Reviews

Reviews about the blanket:

1. Stepan. I'm happy with the purchase, I can't say anything bad. I have been using it for more than two years, during which time there have not been a single incident. Those who complain about fire, this is either a fake, or the blanket must be removed in the summer; it is not intended for use in the hot period at all. To avoid contamination, wash the engine in advance and everything will be fine.
2. Alexei. I live in Chelyabinsk, so this blanket became a real salvation for me. But all the same, at -40 degrees the car may not start, the starter will turn, but the engine will not start. You have to set the alarm to auto start. The blanket really saves time - lined with insulated material, it holds the temperature well. If the wear is severe, glass dust may be released.

Torso

According to the manufacturer, this blanket is made of high-strength material that is not subject to wear and has a long service life.

Photo gallery: appearance of the Torso product

Torso product packaging

Wrapped car blanket for Torso engine

Characteristics table

Table: pros and cons

Video review: a blanket for an engine, what are its dangers and advantages

The channel “Ivan Ivanov” in its video spoke in detail about the advisability of using car blankets, as well as their harm and benefits.

comparison table

Disadvantages of engine insulation

At the very beginning I would like to say that not all motors are the same! And for example, if one person tolerates this perfectly, then the second one can suffer significantly from this. This depends on many factors:

• Diesel or gasoline
• TURBO or naturally aspirated
• Air intake from the radiator grille (that is, as if from the front of the car) or from the engine compartment
• What is the ambient temperature, say -5 or -35

Many naturally aspirated power units are high temperature, at -10 degrees (as you saw the graphs) warming up occurs very quickly, which can lead to:

• To overheat! And this is already bad
• Also, wires and ignition coils may suffer from this, especially if “overboard” -3, -5
• If the intake air is warm, the ignition is delayed and the consumption increases.
• Power drops. That is, there may not be a fuel saving effect
• If you do not put in specialized materials, a fire may occur.
• As practice and reviews on the Internet show, all these newfangled blankets tear in about a year or two, and they cost about 2,000 rubles

As you can see, there is a lot to think about! Now we are watching the video version

Observations, myths and their destruction

The wind changes everything. The success of our experiment was greatly helped by calm weather, which lasted almost the entire time while the measurements were being made. But at the beginning of the period it was not so. We had to abandon the measurements recorded in windy weather because the car cooled down faster and the car blanket had no effect on this process. But they made an interesting observation: without wind, even after 10 hours under the hood it was a couple of degrees warmer than the surrounding air. But with the wind, the engine cools down to ambient temperature (despite the fact that on windy days it was -12) in 7 hours 35 minutes.

You can say a few words about the sound insulation that the car blanket supposedly contributes to. Outside - yes. The ears catch the difference with and without a blanket. But in the salon - no. And what’s the point of talking about silence when the stove hums at high speeds, warming up the cooled interior?

They say that the car blanket has a negative effect on parts made of plastic, rubber, as well as on the insulation of wires: supposedly due to high heat, the materials dry out and their service life is reduced. Well, we checked this. In fact, directly under the blanket in winter the temperature ranges from 60 to 85 degrees, this temperature is absolutely harmless. In the summer heat in the sun it is much hotter under the hood!

Let’s add one more conclusion: you can mostly find white blankets on sale. This, of course, is beautiful, but only at first. A little later, when touched with parts of different cleanliness, it quickly loses its luster and cannot be washed. In general, there are black coatings, but we have not seen such ones.

RESULT

There are a lot of such car blankets now produced by Smar, SKYWAY, STP, etc.) They are made mainly from non-flammable materials, that is, fiberglass and so on - fire is excluded.

Application possible! BUT only in severe frosts, and if you have no contraindications from the manufacturer. At low temperatures (up to - 15) it is actually not necessary, and may even cause harm. This is my review, read our AUTOBLOG and subscribe to updates.

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Should I buy myself a blanket?

A blanket alone is not enough to keep you warm. When insulating the engine compartment, you need to at least have standard protection from below, and also hang a curtain or insert cardboard in front of the radiator. Then there will be an effect. The same is reported by drivers who use a blanket in cold regions, from Northern Kazakhstan to Yamal.

You can say it another way. Under the conditions in which we tested the car blanket, which is a temperature from −10 during the day to −20 degrees at night, there is definitely no urgent need for it. There is also no need for additional protection of the engine compartment on the test vehicle. Without all this, my Grand Vitara starts up regularly in the morning, and a 5-minute difference when warming up doesn't really matter to me. I wouldn't buy it. There is another option, the absence of which you acutely regret at temperatures from zero and below. But this is not a car blanket, not a crankcase burner, or even a Webasto. This is... heated seats.

In the meantime, the car blanket has been registered under the hood and is awaiting the next stage of testing in Astana. We will connect the logger again if the temperature drops below minus 30 for a week. They say that under such conditions, a car whose alarm is configured to autostart based on engine temperature starts one or two times less often overnight. Perhaps this will be a different story.