Engine Care in cold weather
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Junior User
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 74
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From: Somerville USA
Engine Care in cold weather
I have a 2001 F250 V10 and I baby the truck....
I get concerned in this frigid northeast weather- dips down to 2 degrees at night and I have to park it outside. I did install an oil pan heater which plugs in and keeps the oil warm overnight. Is there anything I can do to prolong engine life in these conditions?? I know I can install a block heater- Do these cold weather starts damage the engine?? I don't have any problems starting now.
I get concerned in this frigid northeast weather- dips down to 2 degrees at night and I have to park it outside. I did install an oil pan heater which plugs in and keeps the oil warm overnight. Is there anything I can do to prolong engine life in these conditions?? I know I can install a block heater- Do these cold weather starts damage the engine?? I don't have any problems starting now.
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 150
Likes: 0
From: New Orleans, LA
I would highly recommend a high quality oil such as Mobil 1. In your cold conditions, Mobil 1 0-20W would be the ideal oil. Other than that, make sure your coolant system is up to par and you should be in good shape. The majority of cold engine start damage comes from a thick oil that cant get to the engine fast enough due to its thickness when cold. A block heater would help, but should not be required.
FLYINFORD
FLYINFORD
Elder User
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 848
Likes: 3
From: Kokomo
With that oil pan heater and good oil changes your engine should last forever, I plug my truck in every night, makes a big differnce, the oil is the most important, I would rather have a oil heater the a engine heater, having both is a little overkill, but it is your truck. That Mobil 1 is good stuff but it is $$$, I run the good 'oll Motorcraft 5w-30 semi syn., works great!
Posting Guru
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 1,708
Likes: 3
From: North Dakota
I agree. I live in ND. We just finished a 3 week spurt of -10 to -30 degree temps and I also baby my truck. I think the same as the rest do, use an oil you trust that has a light enough weight for winter applications. Also a pan or engine heater are great investments and clean oil never hurts anything. I use motorcraft Semi Synth. Blend 5W-20 @ 2000miles changes (in the winter) and a bock heater currently but will have a pan heater by next year. No problems from cold starts in 10 years out of 9 different vehicles. I have never had a motor let go yet with 5 of those vehicals over a 100k miles, 1 at 175k and 2 that are now over 250k miles. ( sold a few before the 100k mark and now have only one over the 100k mark and that is at 262k). don't worry, just take care of it and it will last.
