How To Winterize Your Diesel Truck

Depending on where you live in North America, winter weather might come as early as October. If you own a diesel truck, you probably know that cold temperatures tend to be a lot harder on diesel engines compared to gas engines. This is primarily due to the unique structure of diesel fuel. One of the biggest problems is that diesel naturally contains paraffin wax, which begins to gel at around 20 degrees Fahrenheit.

When the wax is in its liquid form, it helps lubricate the engine, but once it solidifies, it can wreak havoc throughout your engine. Gelled fuel can clog fuel lines and filters, not to mention the fact that it inhibits the engine's ability to start. 

So, when we talk about winterizing your diesel truck, it's always best to start with the fuel. 

Use Additives to Winterize Diesel Fuel 

Once your diesel fuel has gelled, getting it ungelled isn't easy. It usually involves getting it into a warm place and waiting. That's why the best solution to gelled fuel is to prevent it from happening in the first place. Isopropyl is diesel's best friend in cold weather. It reduces the fuel's freezing point and absorbs water. It also completely dissolves in diesel fuel, so there's no worry about contamination. 

Diesel fuel should always be treated with an additive when cold weather is on the horizon. Hot Shots Anti-Gel Fuel Booster products protect fuel systems against gelling and freezing water. Another good rule of thumb is to install a new fuel filter at the beginning of winter. 

To reduce the possibility of frozen water in your fuel system, it's also important to keep your fuel tank at least half full. More space in the fuel tank allows condensation to form, which can then freeze in cold temperatures. Unlike regular gas, diesel is less refined and thus susceptible to absorbing water. In case of emergency freeze-ups, be sure to have Hot Shots Secret Diesel Winter Rescue on hand. 

Oil Considerations

Oil viscosity is another thing to keep in mind when winterizing your diesel truck. Most engines tend to use 15W-40 crude, but this increased viscosity can get thicker in cold temperatures, which leads to difficulty starting and reduced lubrication. In cold weather, it's better to have thinner oil that flows more easily. Switching to 5W-40 in cold weather improves flow and provides better protection for engine internals. Diesel engines in sub-zero temperatures can even use 0W-40 oil. Thinner oil takes the stress off your diesel engine's systems. 

Check Batteries

In low temperatures, automotive batteries generate fewer electrons, which can lead to a current that's too low to start the engine. This loss can be up to 20% in freezing temperatures. If you notice labored engine cranking, it's a good idea to load test the battery to see what its condition is. If you do need to replace your battery, you can also add a battery warmer to keep the new cells heated when your truck is parked. This is similar to an engine block heater, but it's specifically for your battery. 

Test Glow Plugs

If you own a truck with an older Cummins, Duramax, or Powerstroke engine, another culprit for cold-weather difficulty might be the glow plugs. The purpose of glow plugs is to warm up the combustion chamber for easier starting in cold weather. You can test them with a specific device that doesn't require you to remove the plugs. Another way is to use a multimeter to check resistance. The reading should be between .6 and 2 ohms. Anything over 2 ohms should be removed and replaced with the original factory-made or recommended glow plugs. 

A Block Heater is the Must-Have Winter Accessory

One of the best accessories to equip yourself with in cold weather is a block heater. These handy items keep the engine block and coolant warm when your truck is parked overnight in a cold garage or driveway. Whether the heater is stock or aftermarket, it will make cold starts a lot easier. All you need is a good extension cord. 

Additional Cold Weather Tips to Keep In Mind

Another concern specific to diesel engines is frozen diesel exhaust fluid. Most modern diesel engines have a DEF system. Deionized water makes up most of DEF, and it usually freezes around 12 degrees Fahrenheit. The good news is that it doesn't hurt the fluid, and most DEF systems have tank heaters now. The bad news is that frozen DEF causes expansion and might crack the container in a full tank. To avoid this, simply keep your tank less full than usual.

All vehicles, whether diesel or otherwise, should have their tires checked out before winter weather hits. If you've been waiting on new tires, it's a good idea to get that done before winter. It might also be worth it to switch to winter tires or studded tires where available. If you live in a place with cold and snow, make sure your tires have the Three Peak Mountain Snowflake symbol. These tires meet higher standards for traction in cold temperatures and snow compared to tires without this symbol.

When venturing forth in cold weather, it's a good idea to pack extras such as an emergency kit, traction aids like chains, and useful parts like extra fuel filters, jumper cables, and tow straps. 

Get Your Truck Ready For Winter Weather at JBs Power Centre

Let the experts at JBs Power Centre help you get your diesel truck ready for winter weather. We're your one-stop shop for repair, inspection, and installation. Whether you need your battery tested or new fuel system components, we can get it done quickly and efficiently. 

Check out any of our locations to find out more about winter weather preparation. We have installation shops in South Edmonton, West Edmonton, and Calgary. Schedule an appointment or browse our online catalog for the parts you need. You can get professional installation with any purchase.