I am getting ready to head to NJ for most likely 2 months. I live in Texas and really don't have to deal with cold weather. This being my first Diesel, can anyone give me suggestions as to what I need to do differently? Additives, oil,...? Warm-up time after cold start? I'm taking an extension cord for the block heater.
Also, should I get a set of snow chains? And if so, 4 tires or all six?

2010f-350 4x4 dually.

Not taking the RV this trip.
Thanks

 

You won't need chains. Only thing you really need to do is not start the truck till the light goes out if really cold outside.

Will clank a bit more if really cold but I have started mine as low as -1F unassisted with no problems.

You could go to a syn oil instead of the 15-40Wt. That would be about it.

Block heater for about 3 hours before start up in the morning is plenty sufficient.

 

If I understand from my owners manual, the fuel in that area will have the necessary additives. Right? No sentane needed?

 

I think its good practice to always use a good fuel additive, especially one that disperses water.

 

Could be that they are using or will change over to #1. It really does not get that cold to worry about it.

 

Anyone ever use the winter front? I bought one on ebay for practically nothing last year and used it for about two weeks before we warmed up again and sold it for a nice profit on ebay. It seemed to help get my engine temps up faster and keep them more consistent. Especially in the non-highway situations.

 

Can the block heater stay plugged in over night without damage? I need all the beauty sleep I can get!

 

Sure can. If you're borrowing power from a camp or motel, you're not paying the bill. Won't hurt anything.

 

Thanks. Leaving the RV home on this one. The power will be free! That's a first!

 

I use a timer to autmatically turn the heater on at 3 hours before I needed it...If I were not paying then you don't need that.

 

Probably get stolen at the hotel, along with the ex cord.
Thanks for all the good advise. I will most likely not plug it in unless the temp drops<32.
I did pick up some Motocraft fuel tx though. I should have been using that anyway.

 

I use mine once temps get to about 40*, I think the manual says to remove it above 40*....But i live in Boston so we stay pretty cold for a couple of months. I didnt use it all that much last year since it was pretty warm.

 

Sounds about right. We had a stretch of <40 degree weather last year. I kept it on into the 40's and 50's. watched temps carefully and didn't have any problems. I wasn't towing or running long trips though. It did help during periods of frequent starts & stops. Engine temps didn't drop as quickly, especially on the windy days.