winter questions

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Sep 7, 2010 | 06:36 AM

#16

jdw1

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From: Minnesota

Absolutely, but with reduced power and reduced fuel mileage.

Sep 7, 2010 | 11:33 AM

#17

Mike F250

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From: Williamston, MI

I recall seeing many vehicles running the cardboard winter cover as a kid growing up in MN. Guess it would work in a pinch...

Sep 7, 2010 | 10:10 PM

#18

bigbubba87

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From: New London, Mo

well untill christmas my truck will probly not leave the town of laramie so fuel mileage and power wouldnt really effect me too much since my truck does not do very good around town anyways. im looking around to figure out what places have the best winter blend

Sep 8, 2010 | 10:52 AM

#19

onelionhunter

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From: Belgrade, MT

Volume seller

The winter fuel additives are pretty dang good anymore, just go to a truck stop for fuel that sells ALOT of fuel, typically near a major interstate. I never gelled in MT last winter, I ran the white bottle of Diesel Kleen with good fuel from a busy truck stop and never had an issue.

Pretty much any big diesel station in the Rockies will have a 50/50 blend of number 1/number 2, but I can't stand how noisy it makes the truck, so I plod on with DK and regular winter blended number 2.

I saw temps as low as -35 last winter, no issues with gelling. At -15, my truck is begging to be plugged in, its started, but it was a real strange sounding beast for about 2 minutes. the 5-40 synthetic, good glow plug system and strong batteries with some DK, you should be just fine.

Sep 11, 2010 | 11:36 PM

#20

mgrove1983

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Joined: Jun 2010

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You should ask the stations that you fuel up at but I know in colorado most of the stations carry winter blend fuel which has an anti gel additive already added. Not that adding more would hurt but it may save you some money. As far as the winter front I haven't ever run one and have never had any problems.

Sep 12, 2010 | 05:34 AM

#21

HD Rider

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Joined: Aug 2009

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From: Glendive, MT

Winter blend fuel is only good to -20. If you are like me, a full tank of fuel will last nearly a month just going to and from work. Since I can't predict the weather that far out, I do run a 50/50 blend in the winter, just in case it drops below that. I also carry a bottle of 911 just in case, because gelling is not your only worry, ice crystals from water in the fuel can also plug the filter.

A winter front is not a bad idea. I like these. Lund Stainless Cold Front Grille Inserts It is a good idea to take it off before any longer road trip however.

Laramie has some of the busiest truck stops in the country so getting good fresh fuel is not a problem. All the other advice on the starting system is spot on.

If all else fails, an Astro Start can be programmed to start your truck periodically when temps fall below a set point. Run times can also be set.

Sep 12, 2010 | 09:12 AM

#22

bigbubba87

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From: New London, Mo

i think the petro is probly going to be the best place to get fuel this winter and i have replaced my gpr and ohm tested all my glow plugs and they all were good.

Sep 12, 2010 | 09:21 AM

#23

schlepprock250

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From: Archdale,N.C.

In addition to whats been said,making sure your glow plugs/glow plug relay is working properly,remember that when you turn the switch on,the glow plugs heats up for about a min.and a half "AFTER" the wait to start light goes out.It might be a good idea to add a glow plug LED so you will "know" the glow plugs are heating in case you get a no start issue.