Winter Checklist
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Junior User
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 84
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From: Belton, MO
Winter Checklist
It's a hot day today, but right around the corner I know it will be getting pretty cold. The temp here at the most extreme might get a little below zero, but I will keep my truck in the garage overnight. What are the absolute mandatory, the recommended & and the not so necessary things that I don't need to do.
1. Do I need to switch from Rotella 15W-40 to something thinner when it gets real cold?
2. Will good quality Diesel # 2 prevent gelling or do I need to add something like the Power Service white bottle formula. I do typically add the grey bottle on every tank, but if I forget one time would I be in trouble? I heard the Diesel stations start adding the winter blend. How do you know they have done this. Just ask I guess?
3. Will probably plug the block heater in overnight when it is very cold. Although it still would probably not get below 32 in the garage.
4. Allow a little extra warm up period.
5. Is there anything special to do if you are away from your garage and block heater and it has gotten very cold to get it started?
6. Anything else?
P.S. I did try to search for this info. If I there is good info out there on this please give me a lesson on searching the site. :-)
1. Do I need to switch from Rotella 15W-40 to something thinner when it gets real cold?
2. Will good quality Diesel # 2 prevent gelling or do I need to add something like the Power Service white bottle formula. I do typically add the grey bottle on every tank, but if I forget one time would I be in trouble? I heard the Diesel stations start adding the winter blend. How do you know they have done this. Just ask I guess?
3. Will probably plug the block heater in overnight when it is very cold. Although it still would probably not get below 32 in the garage.
4. Allow a little extra warm up period.
5. Is there anything special to do if you are away from your garage and block heater and it has gotten very cold to get it started?
6. Anything else?
P.S. I did try to search for this info. If I there is good info out there on this please give me a lesson on searching the site. :-)
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Junior User
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 84
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From: Belton, MO
I guess you are saying the typical $3.00 timer to turn lights on and off can't handle the load of the block heater? Where do you get such a heavy duty timer? Automotive or hardware store?
Posting Guru
Joined: Apr 2000
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From: NorCal
..... and off can't handle the load of the block heater? Where do you get such a heavy duty timer?
It seems Intermatic does make one called the "Heavy Duty Outdoor Timer" model # P1101. It'll plug in to a regular outlet and has what seems to be a GFI breaker built in. It'll handle 15 Amps or up to 1800W so you should be fine.
They claim it's for Engine block heaters, you can see it here at -> Intermatic's Website
Last edited by cgl; Oct 21, 2003 at 05:13 PM.
Elder User
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 772
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From: Salem USA
Yep, I went to the Home Depot and got the biggest heavy duty plug in timer they had and it works fine.
If you get into cold weather and haven't been able to plug in, you may try cycling your glow plugs several times before actually cranking the motor.
Good time to get the test strips for your antifreeze and not only make sure your freeze protection level is good but also that you don't need any additional SCA additive (FW16 or DCA4).
If you get into cold weather and haven't been able to plug in, you may try cycling your glow plugs several times before actually cranking the motor.
Good time to get the test strips for your antifreeze and not only make sure your freeze protection level is good but also that you don't need any additional SCA additive (FW16 or DCA4).
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 109
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Originally posted by bricot
Yep, I went to the Home Depot and got the biggest heavy duty plug in timer they had and it works fine.
If you get into cold weather and haven't been able to plug in, you may try cycling your glow plugs several times before actually cranking the motor.
Good time to get the test strips for your antifreeze and not only make sure your freeze protection level is good but also that you don't need any additional SCA additive (FW16 or DCA4).
Yep, I went to the Home Depot and got the biggest heavy duty plug in timer they had and it works fine.
If you get into cold weather and haven't been able to plug in, you may try cycling your glow plugs several times before actually cranking the motor.
Good time to get the test strips for your antifreeze and not only make sure your freeze protection level is good but also that you don't need any additional SCA additive (FW16 or DCA4).
thanks for the idea for checking antifreeze for winter.
most hardware stores do carried heavy duty timer,just tell them what you are using timer for.
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Senior User
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 293
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From: AZ
Originally posted by Jlower
I think I've read about cold weather in a book somewhere.......
Sorry, couldn't resist the jab. Cold weather here in Tucson means the air conditioner can switch off for a few minutes each day!
I think I've read about cold weather in a book somewhere.......
Sorry, couldn't resist the jab. Cold weather here in Tucson means the air conditioner can switch off for a few minutes each day!
The same thing can be said for here in PHOENIX as well.
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From: Fairbanks Alaska
The only problem I have found with those timers is that when you put a heavy pull on them the clock speeds up. So after a few days its an hour or so ahead. I hate resetting it. I just set mine up to run 30 mins on, 30 mins off. No need to set the time and it works out great.
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2003
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From: Port Orchard, WA
minimum amount of time to run the heater is about 30 mins. I've never had problems being plugged in overnight when I lived in Maine... Below freezing up to three weeks straight at times with no days above 32... NOT GOING BACK!
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Joined: Dec 2002
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Originally posted by 13hondacr250
The only problem I have found with those timers is that when you put a heavy pull on them the clock speeds up. So after a few days its an hour or so ahead. I hate resetting it. I just set mine up to run 30 mins on, 30 mins off. No need to set the time and it works out great.
The only problem I have found with those timers is that when you put a heavy pull on them the clock speeds up. So after a few days its an hour or so ahead. I hate resetting it. I just set mine up to run 30 mins on, 30 mins off. No need to set the time and it works out great.
my timer ha the pegs ,you have to set them.
