questions about cold weather
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questions about cold weather
Hey all, I have a few questions related to cold weather and my truck. First i have a 1989 f-250 with 460\c-6 combo. I will be on my way to watertown, NY come 1st of november and i am not familiar with the cold climates and how to care for my truck in the cold. I have heard that it gets down to -30 there and have heard people are cracking their blocks in cold starts.
1- How do i keep my anti freeze from freezing
2- Would i have any battery problems
3- Should i invest in a block heater
4- Should i change to a different oil-- i currently us 10-40 valvoline high milage.
Also any other advise yall can give me would be helpful.
Thanks in advance for any suggestions,
Jayson
1- How do i keep my anti freeze from freezing
2- Would i have any battery problems
3- Should i invest in a block heater
4- Should i change to a different oil-- i currently us 10-40 valvoline high milage.
Also any other advise yall can give me would be helpful.
Thanks in advance for any suggestions,
Jayson
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From: Easton,Ks
Originally Posted by Fordrules
1- How do i keep my anti freeze from freezing
Originally Posted by Fordrules
2- Would i have any battery problems
Originally Posted by Fordrules
3- Should i invest in a block heater
Originally Posted by Fordrules
4- Should i change to a different oil-- i currently us 10-40 valvoline high milage.
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From: Central PA
Yep just uses 50/50 as said get a new battery if yours is more than 5 years old. (May last another 5 but when its cold you don't want to be outside jumping your ride.
All the colder NY gets you don't need a block heater and 10w30 or 5w30 would be the oil to use. I'm travel in NY all time and never had problems . Good luck with move.
All the colder NY gets you don't need a block heater and 10w30 or 5w30 would be the oil to use. I'm travel in NY all time and never had problems . Good luck with move.
Post Fiend
Joined: May 2004
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From: Lakewood, Ohio
i doubt if it ever gets to -30 in watertown, ny.
look here for average temps and much more info on watertown.
http://www.city-data.com/city/Watertown-New-York.html
that said it will be cold and snowy. if you do not have 4x4 than that truck may not be your best bet.
in cleveland, ohio no vehicle i have ever had parked inside or outside has needed an engine heater.
5w30 for the oil and motorcraft filter.
buy a new battery and cables.
look here for average temps and much more info on watertown.
http://www.city-data.com/city/Watertown-New-York.html
that said it will be cold and snowy. if you do not have 4x4 than that truck may not be your best bet.
in cleveland, ohio no vehicle i have ever had parked inside or outside has needed an engine heater.
5w30 for the oil and motorcraft filter.
buy a new battery and cables.
Last edited by quicklook2; Jul 9, 2007 at 06:46 PM.
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From: Canada
I live in Quebec Canada, and the temperature gets pretty darn cold here. I would suggest like has been said earlier, a water Block Heater, 5W30, Straight Prestone, A good battery (If you can afford it and would prefer, deep cycle batteries are great for winter), and make sure to check your starter! Sometimes, when it gets too cold, some old starters tend to not engage. Try to cover up loose wires, especially around the coil, and probably the coil itself (silicon spray), as sometimes when there are big snow storms, snow tends to get in there, (don't ask me how) and then freeze on there when the engine cools down, ground out anyone? Check your transmission fluid, make sure it is topped off, they don't like the cold either. Check tire pressure regularly. Make sure all fluids are topped off. And last but not least, safe driving 
Gig
Sorry... kinda lost myself there...
Gig
Sorry... kinda lost myself there...
FTE Legend
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From: Ottawa, Ontario
I live 120miles north of Watertown in Ottawa, Ontario. It gets down to -30C here in the winter, probably colder than Watertown sees on average because of the lake effect. I run straight Prestone, I have had 50/50 mix freeze on me in the winter and overheat the motor. I also run 5w30 in the winter, have a good battery, but don't have a block heater. The truck has only refused to start a couple times when it was below -30C, pretty good if you ask me. The other fluids in the vehicle may need attention as well, switching to synthetic ATF and gear oil did make a difference in cold weather mobility on the frigid cold days. I also use low temperature synthetic grease on all my 4x4 drivetrain joints.
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From: Easton,Ks
Originally Posted by Fordrules
Do i need to prime the oil system somehow before starting?
I remember hand cranking the oil primers for five minutes before starting the shipboard generators in the navy.
No I do not think you would need to do this unless you want to keep the engine for a very long time.
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From: peterborough ontario
change all fluids make sure batt is good .Do a total tune up in the fall plugs cap roter and wires you will be glad you did.I run 10w30 all the time and my truck always starts every day. -42 with the wind and starts the prob I got is jumping everone i live with.It too cold for that $h1t. That being sad check alternator and get some good jumper cables.Nothing cold weather start like a well maintained ford.you may want to get the truck undercoater to protect it from rust and salt.
p.s. both my roomates drive gmc and I jump them every time it hits -25 or so
and there trucks are newer and less km on them
goodluck
p.s. both my roomates drive gmc and I jump them every time it hits -25 or so
and there trucks are newer and less km on them
goodluck
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my truck has 134000 miles on it or so. I bought a brand new duralast 1000 cca battery alternator, plugs cap rotor wires and changed my ignition sys to all msd ignition. I did not mess with oil or fluids yet as i just changed them a month ago. Thanks for all the replys it is appreciaated