Winter Prep guide
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Senior User
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 351
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From: In the Georgia Pines
Winter Prep guide
With winter getting ready to rear it's ugly head soon, i guess it's time to start prepping our PSD's for the cold months to come.
this being my first winter (nothern GA, so it doesnt get too cold... ) i'm wondering what do i have to do to ensure that i get the most out of my diesel for the winter. for example,
what oil should i run in it?
how long should the block heater run in the night?
how long should i let it warm up in the morning before driving it to work?
is there any winter blend diesel that should be buying?
just a few questions that i have. i'm sure that missing a ton more, so i'm posting here for the PSD guru's to answer!
thanks
-mike
this being my first winter (nothern GA, so it doesnt get too cold... ) i'm wondering what do i have to do to ensure that i get the most out of my diesel for the winter. for example,
what oil should i run in it?
how long should the block heater run in the night?
how long should i let it warm up in the morning before driving it to work?
is there any winter blend diesel that should be buying?
just a few questions that i have. i'm sure that missing a ton more, so i'm posting here for the PSD guru's to answer!
thanks
-mike
Postmaster
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 3,438
Likes: 0
From: New Hampshire
Originally Posted by mjlewis
With winter getting ready to rear it's ugly head soon, i guess it's time to start prepping our PSD's for the cold months to come.
this being my first winter (nothern GA, so it doesnt get too cold... ) i'm wondering what do i have to do to ensure that i get the most out of my diesel for the winter. for example,
what oil should i run in it?
how long should the block heater run in the night?
how long should i let it warm up in the morning before driving it to work?
is there any winter blend diesel that should be buying?
just a few questions that i have. i'm sure that missing a ton more, so i'm posting here for the PSD guru's to answer!
thanks
-mike
this being my first winter (nothern GA, so it doesnt get too cold... ) i'm wondering what do i have to do to ensure that i get the most out of my diesel for the winter. for example,
what oil should i run in it?
how long should the block heater run in the night?
how long should i let it warm up in the morning before driving it to work?
is there any winter blend diesel that should be buying?
just a few questions that i have. i'm sure that missing a ton more, so i'm posting here for the PSD guru's to answer!
thanks
-mike
A 15W-40 oil should be fine for your area...i recommend Chevron Delo 400 or Shell Rotella as a few easily found around town(Walmart).
Normally plugging your truck in on those real cold nights for just about
3 hours or less before driving saves on electricity(block heater = 1000 watts). I use a timer set for 3 hours before starting ,here in NH temps drop to -15F.
Make sure your batteries are in real good condition.
Running a DFA helps in cold climates by preventing gelling and helping
to handle moisture in fuel.
Nut
Elder User
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 703
Likes: 1
From: Middle of a field CT
Diesel is switched my the manufacturer at a set time of year, so in winter you always get winter blend
Use an additive to avoid jelling.
PSNUT is right about the block heater, extended running (overnite) can be a fire hazzard.
I like to let the stock temp gauge start to move off the peg before I move it.
To help speed up warmup time you can build/buy radiator shutters that cover most of the grille.
Use an additive to avoid jelling.
PSNUT is right about the block heater, extended running (overnite) can be a fire hazzard.
I like to let the stock temp gauge start to move off the peg before I move it.
To help speed up warmup time you can build/buy radiator shutters that cover most of the grille.
Posting Guru
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,605
Likes: 1
From: Elkhorn, WI
you shouldnt have anything to worry about. how cold does it get in georgia in the winter? i plug mine in if its below 32 and i have a vinyl cover over the grille but it gets below zero for a lot of the winter up here
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Senior User
Joined: Sep 2006
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From: In the Georgia Pines
it doesnt get that cold down here, but we have 3 months of cold weather in the 30's and 40's and it'll get down into the low 20's for a few nights in late jan or feb.
thanks for everyones advice!
thanks for everyones advice!
Posting Guru
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,081
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From: Montana
I hear the winter Grill bra is a must when it gets really cold. with out it, the truck might not even heat up on any hwy speed. around town isnt' bad, but once moving above 45 or so. I am looking to some Custom card board cut outs for my winter driving. new to diesel and spending money else where at the moment.
a timer for you block heat is Very nice cause like everybody said, only need it for like 3 hours proir to driving. unless you have a heated garage then it don't matter. but I am not that lucky.
a timer for you block heat is Very nice cause like everybody said, only need it for like 3 hours proir to driving. unless you have a heated garage then it don't matter. but I am not that lucky.
Posting Guru
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,605
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From: Elkhorn, WI
Originally Posted by MTDewX
I hear the winter Grill bra is a must when it gets really cold. with out it, the truck might not even heat up on any hwy speed. around town isnt' bad, but once moving above 45 or so. I am looking to some Custom card board cut outs for my winter driving. new to diesel and spending money else where at the moment.
a timer for you block heat is Very nice cause like everybody said, only need it for like 3 hours proir to driving. unless you have a heated garage then it don't matter. but I am not that lucky.
a timer for you block heat is Very nice cause like everybody said, only need it for like 3 hours proir to driving. unless you have a heated garage then it don't matter. but I am not that lucky.
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Post Fiend
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 9,293
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From: Parker, CO
I used to live a few hours north of you in Greenville. I've never had to do anything to prep my truck for winter, and I've never once had to plug it in. It just doesn't get cold enough. If your glow plug system is working, and your batteries have enough juice, you should be ok.
If it's a really cold morning, usually 20 degrees or colder, I've found that if you cycle the glow plugs twice it starts easier. Turn the key to the run position, the glow plug lamp will light up for a few seconds, then go out. Keep the key in the run position for another minute and a half or so (even with the light off, the glow plugs are still on). Turn the key off, then back to the run position, wait for the glow plug lamp to go off, then crank her up.
If it's a really cold morning, usually 20 degrees or colder, I've found that if you cycle the glow plugs twice it starts easier. Turn the key to the run position, the glow plug lamp will light up for a few seconds, then go out. Keep the key in the run position for another minute and a half or so (even with the light off, the glow plugs are still on). Turn the key off, then back to the run position, wait for the glow plug lamp to go off, then crank her up.
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Senior User
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 487
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From: CT
Last winter up here in new england i didnt plug mine in once and it started just fine. Now at night and in the morning its getting cold and taking a little longer to start, not much just more then before. I still have the original batterys so I guess I should buy some new ones.
Hotshot
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 18,423
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From: iowa
In georgia, I can't think you would ever need to plug it in, I have started mine as cold as -5 without it bieng plugged in, and running 15w-40 rotella oil (I park it at the same place I park the Semi and didn't have anyplace to plug it in that night, not really recommended procedure that cold but sometimes you don't hve a choice). The truck didn't like starting below zero, but it did start without excessive cranking time.
Elder User
Joined: Nov 2004
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From: South Eastern MN
Originally Posted by MTDewX
I hear the winter Grill bra is a must when it gets really cold. with out it, the truck might not even heat up on any hwy speed. around town isnt' bad, but once moving above 45 or so. I am looking to some Custom card board cut outs for my winter driving. new to diesel and spending money else where at the moment.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 947
Likes: 1
Is there anything that can help with starting in low temps if you can't plug it in at night? I live in wi and work nights and don't have any place to plug the truck in. It sits from 630pm till 630am. I drove the fiance's saturn to work last year the one week it got below zero here. Would like to avoid driving driving the saturn as much as possible this year. Thanks
Posting Guru
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,605
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From: Elkhorn, WI
Originally Posted by ponch37300
Is there anything that can help with starting in low temps if you can't plug it in at night? I live in wi and work nights and don't have any place to plug the truck in. It sits from 630pm till 630am. I drove the fiance's saturn to work last year the one week it got below zero here. Would like to avoid driving driving the saturn as much as possible this year. Thanks
Postmaster
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 3,438
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From: New Hampshire
I've seen posts from guys in Alaska and Canada that have been able to start their PSD @-30F without using the block heater.
As Muktown pointed out a 5W-40 syn oil should help out tremendously and i wil add good batteries, a good GPR and good glow plugs. Make sure ALL your electrical connection points are clean and tight.
Nut
As Muktown pointed out a 5W-40 syn oil should help out tremendously and i wil add good batteries, a good GPR and good glow plugs. Make sure ALL your electrical connection points are clean and tight.
Nut
Laughing Gas
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 947
Likes: 1
Thanks muktown and psnut. I live in appleton, wi. is there any good tests to check the gpr and glow plugs. I have a digital multimeter i just don't know where to test and what it should read. Also what should the batteries read? Do i disconnect them and then test them or just test each one while they are hooked up? Thanks