I appreciate your suggestions very much! I bought the plug cover for the car cord as you mentioned. Didn't think of using the dielectric grease for the plug, but I like the though of that. Any tube you buy of the stuff is way more than you need to do the job. Thus, I like the thought of another use for it!
Not having used an engine block heater on any other vehicles & knowing how my brain works, I may need more than an illuminated extension cord. That is a good suggestion, however. I already decided that I am placing something in front of the driver's door to remind me that the car is plugged in. I am good about not being late to things, but guilty of not giving myself a lot of extra time. If I don't do something to remind me, I can predict the future on that one.
Overall, a Mirage turns over quite easily. I really noticed that the other day. After driving to school, I started my 2015 Chevy Impala (V6 with 5W-30 oil) @ -15F. It took a lot more to turn that car over than the Mirage (small engine with thin 0W-20 oil). The Impala almost didn't start, but it may still have the factory battery. My experience is that factory batteries don't always last much longer than 4-5 years, & a good replacement battery will surely out do them. My driving school owns the Impala. It may be time for the battery to be replaced. Regardless, the Impala turns over much harder than a little Mirage.
It was only -14F last night. I plugged in the heater for the first time (about 2 hours) & started my car mid-morning (around -1F at the time). I think I heard my Mirage say to me -
"Thank you Mark" as it started up!
I pretty much know when my dash light will kick out going down the road, & it definitely kicked out sooner today. Thus, I am know the heater is doing it's thing. I could tell a difference inside the car, too. As a matter of fact, I was about 10 miles down the road before I realized that I hadn't cranked the heat all the way up. I typically wait until the dash light goes out before cranking it all way up, & today I forgot. That's because I was perfectly comfortable inside and all the glass was perfectly clear.
It's been about 24 hours since I have installed thing, & I already know that I like it!!! Lows of -26F for Tuesday & -30F for Wednesday are in the forecast for this week. My little Mirage is going to be thankful, too!!!