Cold weather advice

click23 · **Joined:** Thu May 11, 2006 9:22 am **Posts:** 309

I live in east Tennessee and we do not get much real cold weather, mostly down into the mid teens. I plug in the block heater at night, for about three hours, when ever it gets below 20, and I typically use Diesel Fuel Supplement(which is their cold weather product), however I stopped at a truck stop a few weeks back and picked up a bottle of Howes Lubricator and have been using it since. I use them both at a 4 oz to half a tank ratio, which is about 1:340 or so. Next week however the low Tuesday night is going to be 3, just wanted to get some advice from you guys that have actually experienced these temps with your Jeep.

Hexus · **Posted:** Fri Jan 03, 2014 9:21 am

You and TennesseeCRD should go on a drive, he lives way over in East TN as well.

I personally use the White Bottle of Power Service in the cold weather months and I'm in Nashville, TN. I plug mine in any night it's going to get to 32 degrees to help with easier startups and to have heat blowing sooner after I leave the driveway.

I personally believe you're doing the right thing plugging it in, and that should preclude additives if you really want, but the right kind of additive doesn't hurt your expensive injectors.

Plugging the block heater in is going to the do the most for you, continue that habit whenever possible.

Additives help prevent gelling, but really in these climes it's probably not necessary, just gives you piece of mind more than anything. I will continue to do it regardless, but it probably isn't required.

car0430a · **Posted:** Fri Jan 03, 2014 9:24 am

Well this morning in southern Wisconsin my evic was registering -21.
I use the white winter jug of Power Service, I am not lucky enough to be parking inside this winter. With all that said I mix it in with every fill up, with the mixture stated on the back of the bottle. I also plug in and if I remember right I have my timer set for about 3.5 hours before I normally start the engine. I also have a brand new battery that is key. But I have no unusual problems starting my CRD.

click23 · **Joined:** Thu May 11, 2006 9:22 am **Posts:** 309

Thanks, you guys have eased my fears of a no start for my wife, and me having to get up in the 3 degree weather to see if I can fix it.

05REDCRD · **Posted:** Fri Jan 03, 2014 10:11 am

It was -8 this morning, tractor had sat out all night at work(12 hour shift), one hit on the glow plugs and she hit hard enough to spool the turbo. Not good on the nerves, but she has not let me down.

papaindigo · **Posted:** Fri Jan 03, 2014 10:22 am

At the risk of being proven wrong here goes. Diesel engines are, relative to gas engines, very high compression and hence somewhat hard to turn over for starting purposes hence the need for "stout" batteries. As temperatures drop below freeezing, notwithstanding mult-weight, oil tends to thicken increasing resistance to the engine turning over. In addition as temps drop diesel fuel can tend to or actually gel so that it doesn't flow properly or flow at all. Bottom line is you are dealing with 2 things. So what to do:
1. fuel companies help a bit in colder areas by switching from straight #2 diesel to "winter" diesel which has a lower temp gelling point. You can help this by adding an anti-gelling diesel fuel treatment which is a good idea if a) you travel from a warm area that is not using "winter" fuel to a really cold area or b) your area experiences an unusual drop in temp or c) if your winters are normally really cold.
2. have a really good battery and in very cold areas use a battery heater or blanket to keep it from getting too cold.
3. if you are not parked in a heated garage use the block heater if at all possible to keep or get the block and it's lube warm. Depending on the ambient temps keep it on all night or at less fridged temps set a timer to turn it on ca. 2 hrs before driving. If use of the block heater or garage is not possible try to park in an area that's sunny and sheltered from the wind or in extreme cases leave the vehicle idling.

On first crank up remember you drive line lubes are cold and thick even with the use of the block heater so take it easy for the first few miles at least until the coolant temp gauge starts to move and remember the tranny will not shift into higher gears until the tranny fluid reaches adequate temperature.

I cannot speak for my CRD but my 1993 Dodge Cummins without winter fuel but with a block heater was ok with starting at +10F.

mikey1273 · **Posted:** Fri Jan 03, 2014 12:51 pm

Plugging in is a good idea. I generally do that when its going to be under 20 degrees F. this morning it was 11 F. I nave started mine as low as 10 with out the block heater just fine but waiting a bit longer to engage the starter is helpful if you cant plug in. Also the engine will be loud and not smooth at all for a minute, It will sound sort of like shaking a can of marbles at first.

I was plugged in all night from when I parked at 8pm to 8am this morning and mine started and ran great as if started on a spring day. I had an outdoor timer last year but it gave up and I have not replaced it, but 3 hours was good when I had one.

I would say use of additives is not required but helpful. Winter diesel is already set up for our weather in the mid-Atlantic and North east, so i don't tend to put it in all the time. When extreme cold is called for I add it.

I had a battery that had some kind of issue and wasn't failing the stores test at first and they would not replace it until I had played Advance Auto's games for a week jump starting it every time it dipped below freezing back around thanksgiving. they tried to say that something in the Jeep was draining the battery but my mechanic could not find a thing abnormal. So any weakness in the battery will cause you pain. A good Battery with 800CCA or better is par for the course here.

Cold weather advice

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