First winter with Diesel.

TheWolfPaq82 · 10-28-2017, 07:55 AM

This is my first winter with my 2014 GMC 2500HD Diesel. Just wanted to hear from you long time diesel owners as to how cold do you let it get before you start to plug it in at night ?
The cord is still tied up from the factory and I have to dig it out first...(they really cram them in there) Looks like it's never been plugged in before.

atcbrownie · 10-28-2017, 08:21 AM

I don't know where you live but I don't plug my 2015 Duramax in at all. I live in northern Virginia. Doesn't ever really get below 15f

aeblank · 10-28-2017, 08:21 AM

They start easy, even in the cold.

That said, I have a wemo outlet for it and start using it around freezing or even a bit warmer. Same for the tractor. It's just better for it.

My 2014 hadn't ever been plugged either.

TheWolfPaq82 · 10-28-2017, 08:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by atcbrownie

I don't know where you live but I don't plug my 2015 Duramax in at all. I live in northern Virginia. Doesn't ever really get below 15f

Sorry about that. Eastern Nebraska. We occasionally will experience sub-zero F. temps in the winter. Neighbor has 2004 duramax and he does plug his in all the time, but his is quite a bit older.
25 degrees this morning and it started just fine.

atcbrownie · 10-28-2017, 08:28 AM

I lived in North Dakota for 6 years so I know a bit about the cold. Didn't have a diesel up there though.

I would probably start plugging in when it nears single digits

TheWolfPaq82 · 10-28-2017, 08:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by atcbrownie

I lived in North Dakota for 6 years so I know a bit about the cold. Didn't have a diesel up there though.

I would probably start plugging in when it nears single digits

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

18CrewDually · 10-28-2017, 08:41 AM

I plug in simply for convenience of having a warm truck at the start of a day. I don't drive until the oil temp is atleast 100°. But if If I start seeing temps below 30 I plug in because it's easier on the whole truck including glowplugs and starter plus warm oil circulates a lot quicker for lubrication.

TheWolfPaq82 · 10-28-2017, 08:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 05CrewDually

I plug in simply for convenience of having a warm truck at the start of a day. I don't drive until the oil temp is atleast 100°. But if If I start seeing temps below 30 I plug in because it's easier on the whole truck including glowplugs and starter plus warm oil circulates a lot quicker for lubrication.

And having remote start will warm things up nicely when I jump in.
Thank G_d for heated leather seats also.

B and B · 10-28-2017, 08:53 AM

I live in Ontario. I have had a diesel for 3 winters and it reaches -30C which is -22 F. I have never plugged it in. They do mix special fuel at all pumps here to prevent gelling. I just let it warm up before driving.

TheWolfPaq82 · 10-28-2017, 10:54 AM

We get the "Winter Blend" down here to. Ever used or need the "Additives" people say you need ?

Hutch333id · 10-28-2017, 11:24 AM

We live in Alberta, Canada where the winter day time highs are -20oC (-4oF) and the lows down to -40oC (-40oF). I plug my 350 in to a timer that comes on for about 4 hours before I need the truck at 6am but I don't bother with it until it reaches -20oC during the night.

I do use the remote starter too for about 5 minutes before I leave the house.

The next house I buy will have a large big enough garage to take a full size truck because brushing snow at 6am gets old very fast.

bshort · 10-28-2017, 11:30 AM

A 5/40 oil change will help with starting too.

richp · 10-28-2017, 12:26 PM

Hi,

I live in northern Illinois, and have owned Duramax trucks since they first came out. Winter temps here are often well below zero.

I have never plugged in. And while I admit there are some advantages, I ease into cold season every year thinking I might, and then never have any problems as winter progresses, so I don't bother.

Color me lazy I guess...

Rich Phillips

Rugman1952 · 10-28-2017, 01:39 PM

I live in South Dakota, and -20f is not uncommon. I don't plug in because my garage is heated. I do use Howes diesel treatment with each fill up, to prevent gelling while at work. It also lubricates the injectors, and absorbs any moisture in the fuel/water seperater. I work nights, so my truck is parked outside during the coldest part of the day.

Steveboe · 10-28-2017, 01:40 PM

Keep your fuel tank above half to keep water from forming. Same with gasser.
I put my cord on a heavy duty timer, it comes on about 4 hours before starting. When in WI. Not in GA

grumpyoldman · 10-28-2017, 02:34 PM

I plug mine in when the temperatures gets into the teens. It is more for me (faster heat output) than it is for the truck. I also put the radiator cover on in November and take it off in March or April. i don't use any fuel additives. I also have a heating element in the oil pan that I have connected to the same timer for the block heater.

spock123 · 10-28-2017, 03:15 PM

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

Comanchecreek · 10-28-2017, 05:33 PM

It is easier on the engine if you plug it in. Will probably start anyway, but with what those Duramax's cost would pay to plug it in just to take care of it. The other issue not really addressed here is anti gel for the fuel. When you anticipate very cold weather just dump some in the tank. Make sure you run it some before the cold gets there to get through the entire fuel system. Keep your batteries on a maintainer also so they stay fully charged. Duramax's are notorious for not starting because of low voltage. They will crank, but when the computer senses low voltage it won't open the fuel kill switch. You'll think you are having a fuel issue when in fact your batteries are weak. You will want to investigate the DEF system to be sure there are no cold weather issues with them. I know little about DEF because I don't have it.

77cruiser · 10-28-2017, 05:52 PM

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.

Bikersarge · 10-28-2017, 06:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheWolfPaq82

Sorry about that. Eastern Nebraska. We occasionally will experience sub-zero F. temps in the winter. Neighbor has 2004 duramax and he does plug his in all the time, but his is quite a bit older.
25 degrees this morning and it started just fine.

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.

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