First winter with Diesel.

[aeblank]

It's a duramax, it HAS a plug.

They do fine starting, nearly no matter what (I saw a -40 start on YouTube). Can't deny that a little warmth is nicer. Everybody decides for themselves.

[tbarb]

X2---they will start,,,, but.
If you have the option to plug in why not save the wear and tear.
Like others said, to save the electric put it on a timer.
It is is said that the wear on the engine of every really cold start, is like 20 warm weather starts.
Your choice?

[grumpyoldman]

Originally Posted by 77cruiser

If you're going to have a long cold spell fill up with #1.
Had a guy at work he was fight his kept gelling up & he kept putting antigel in. I told him just to fill with #1 but I guess he didn't want to spend the extra money on fuel, rather change filters on the road.

The diesel fuel is blended for cold weather at the refinery. No need to add antigel. There is a summer blend and a winter blend for gasoline and for diesel which is delivered at the proper time of the year for your location,
There aren't separate pumps for #1 and #2 diesel in my area.

[BooBoo23]

The problem isn't getting it started it is keeping it running. Usually fuel will gel in the fuel filter and limit the flow and the fastest you will get the engine to run is a idle (ask me how I know). Maybe putting a 100w light bulb near the fuel filter would help and add a fuel additive to prevent or reduce the Gel or if you can get #1 fuel so much the better.

[B and B]

Originally Posted by grumpyoldman

The diesel fuel is blended for cold weather at the refinery. No need to add antigel. There is a summer blend and a winter blend for gasoline and for diesel which is delivered at the proper time of the year for your location,
There aren't separate pumps for #1 and #2 diesel in my area.

I have the same thing up here. One pump up here. I have battery blankets which I do not use. I drive my truck 80 km a day so the batteries get fully charged.

[CaptnJohn]

Originally Posted by spock123

I thought that was what the glow plugs were for. For cold weather. I guess if I lived in Alaska I would plug up but never in NC

and it almost never snows along the southern NC coast! Instead of plugging in and winterizing the 5er I just go to FL for 2 - 3 months anyway.

We did get a dusting of snow on the grass about 3 - 4 years ago but it was gone by lunch. Even a dusting that lasts a few hours is enough to celebrate by closing schools and government offices for 2 - 3 days.

[Skyliner]

I don't bother plugging it in. 5w40 oil and remote start idle for about 5 minutes is all my truck needs. It has dual alternators and a 1500 watt electric heater, heated seats, and heated steering wheel so no need to worry about engine producing heat.

I've gone as low as -22 deg F without a heater. Just drive her slow when she is cold and you'll be ok.

If you vehicle needs to be plugged in to start, you have a problem. I need to know that my truck can start when I'm parked at a trailhead to the back country when I snowmobile.

[Computer Nerd]

I live in western Michigan, and I plug mine in when it goes to zero or below. It does start easier and warms up quicker. I personally think if your truck is garaged, that it will start even if it gets below zero, but I think it's a little easier on the equipment if it's plugged in, when it gets to zero or below. If your truck isn't garaged, then I would definitely plug
It in when the weather gets down to the low single digits.

[Kenny kustom]

5w40 rotella oil year round.
Plug it in on a timer.. ( 4 hours) when below 0c.
It’s not about will it start if not plugged in .. ( it usually will) it’s about having enough heat to clear the windshield when you get four people in there breathing. If fogs up quickly.

[jovett]

Originally Posted by TheWolfPaq82

I've seen diesel at ND temps....looked like Grape Jelly.

You need to use an additive in the fuel to prevent jelling in freezing weather. I had mine plugged into a timer and set to turn on about 1 hour before I would leave for work. It just takes a little of the chill off. Jovett

[grumpyoldman]

Originally Posted by jovett

You need to use an additive in the fuel to prevent jelling in freezing weather. I had mine plugged into a timer and set to turn on about 1 hour before I would leave for work. It just takes a little of the chill off. Jovett

I disagree. If you fill up at a station that has a good turnover rate it will have the winter blend in its tanks in time for the cold weather.

[Skyliner]

I diagree with both disagreer's ;-)

I strongly feel that fuel additive is a necessity in winter months not for anti-gel but for fuel LUBRICITY which is reduced even more with No. 1 diesel fuel blended with regular No. 2 diesel fuel to reduce temp at which it gels. Our diesel fuel in the USA really sucks. Most do not met cetane and lubrcity requirements spec'd by manufacturers and high pressure pump makers (Bosch) This is why I'm a fan of a splash of biodiesel in our diesel fuel. It bumps up cetane and lubricity. HPFP failures can cost up to 12,000 in repairs including labor.

[WFD]

Originally Posted by Bikersarge

Nah, The newer ones can withstand the cooler environments like NE and here in MO. I have owned several Duramax over the years here, I don't think mine even has a plug in.( GMC 2017). Now my bother-in-law lives in Alaska and has the plug in on his and uses it in certain colder temps.

Guaranteed your 2017 has a plug...usually have to go digging for it and usually tucked in or wrapped around something close to where your DEF fill is located.

[jimdurborow]

I have a 2015 Duramax. I plug in below 15f with a timer... The truck draws a bunch of current 1000 to 1500 watts if I remember correctly.

[B and B]

Originally Posted by Skyliner

I diagree with both disagreer's ;-)

I strongly feel that fuel additive is a necessity in winter months not for anti-gel but for fuel LUBRICITY which is reduced even more with No. 1 diesel fuel blended with regular No. 2 diesel fuel to reduce temp at which it gels. Our diesel fuel in the USA really sucks. Most do not met cetane and lubrcity requirements spec'd by manufacturers and high pressure pump makers (Bosch) This is why I'm a fan of a splash of biodiesel in our diesel fuel. It bumps up cetane and lubricity. HPFP failures can cost up to 12,000 in repairs including labor.

I Disagree on your disagree.

My dealer said no additives needed for a Ford Super Duty unless under -30C or -22 old people degrees. I checked with the bow tie dealer and they said that same for their engines.

[emtp82]

My 2013 f450 taught me that for about $500, it needs a fuel additive when the wind chill hits about -10F. Yes I use a gas station that the company I work for uses as well, So I assume the fuel gets used rather frequently.

In the end it's your truck and your hassle, but for about $4 per fill up for additive, it's peace of mind for me.

Oh and I just added an engine heater to my truck this year. It was a Texas truck originally.

[18CrewDually]

Originally Posted by B and B

I Disagree on your disagree.

My dealer said no additives needed for a Ford Super Duty unless under -30C or -22 old people degrees. I checked with the bow tie dealer and they said that same for their engines.

There's a reason Motorcraft offers additives. I'd rather use a preventative than wish I did. Lubricity is a huge concern. Here's Ford's parts site with their additives.
http://www.powerstrokediesel.com/index/407

[18CrewDually]

Originally Posted by emtp82

My 2013 f450 taught me that for about $500, it needs a fuel additive when the wind chill hits about -10F. Yes I use a gas station that the company I work for uses as well, So I assume the fuel gets used rather frequently.

In the end it's your truck and your hassle, but for about $4 per fill up for additive, it's peace of mind for me.

Oh and I just added an engine heater to my truck this year. It was a Texas truck originally.

Side note: Wind chill is a made-up temp that only effects, in a sense, living things with pores. The wind increases the evaporation of moisture emmitting from you pores making it "feel" colder than it really is. Has no effect on equipment. -10° is still -10° regardless of the wind.

[davel1971]

It will start no problem. Plugging in is nicer for you and the truck though, but not necessary. Truck warms up much faster and you get heat. Make sure to use a anti-gel fuel additive when it gets cold.

[Skyliner]

Its your vehicle and your HPFP. Tons of horror stores about HPFP failing and costing over 10k to replace and dealers often blame "water" in fuel system so warranty is pretty much worthless. I have over 500k miles in past 16 years on my diesels, all of which had high pressure fuel pumps with never a failure other than one vehicle had a flow control valve on the HPFP fail-got part from Germany cuz dealership could only replace the HPFP in the USA.

BTW, relying on a dealership for advice is silly. Figured everyone who owns an RV would know that by now.