Winter Tips For Your Diesels

[@Jim_Lawrence]

1. Test the glow plug system before winter. 2. Carry extra fuel filter(s) 3. Carry 911 fuel anti-gel 4. Carry warm gear

[@d.williams6891]

My proudest cold weather moment with my 2015 F250 was in 2021 when I drove to Wyoming for a funeral and I was able to start my truck right up after it sat in a hotel parking lot all night unplugged with the windchill of -36F all night. Modern diesel trucks are awesome! I did keep adding Hot Shot’s Secret anti gel each time we stopped to fuel up too.

[@Dan-xk3de]

That’s incredibly impressive

[@edwardman1742]

Here in Texas I still use anti-gel fuel treatment in the winter. We don’t get super cold, but the weather is very unpredictable and occasionally we get 0° cold snaps for a couple days. You don’t want to get caught in one of those unprepared. Especially when ice covers the roads and all the stores close. 😳 …6.0 for life! 💪🏼🦅🇺🇸

[@nicklasswanson499]

Keep your fuel tank as full as possible, more weight in center of truck. Consider sand bags in bed of truck for more front to rear weight balance especially on pickup trucks. Muds tires are not necessary snow tires. Considering switch back to the “boring oem” tires for the snow months.

[@lamarzimmermanmennonitefar5269]

I love winter driving even if it gets old in a hurry 😅

[@Dan-xk3de]

Powerstroke glow plugs stay energized even after the wait to start light goes off. They run up to 3 minutes after the key is turned on based on engine oil temp. They will stay on even with the engine started, so if you start cold and are trying to check your battery or charging voltage you may have a low reading until the glow plugs go off.

[@dylanporras2655]

120 seconds.

[@CharlieLosser]

@@dylanporras2655I was gonna say that the wait to start light is a dummy light and the glow plugs will stay on for 2 min. I have moved my glow plug relay to the fender and can hear it click on and off.

[@zeke289goops8]

If by going by this logic would starting before the wait to start light goes off cause any harm I’ve always heard about damaging glow plugs if you start before the light goes off?

[@CharlieLosser]

@@zeke289goops8the only negative to starting while glow plugs are on is the wear and tear on the batteries. If it is above 60 degrees out don’t wait for the light just crank it over.

[@Dan-xk3de]

Depends on the oil temperature and ambient. If ambient is above 60 degrees F I generally just start up like a gasoline vehicle.

[@starionslider2116]

He forgot the part about removing the ghetto wheels and put the stock skinnys on with good snows that work like 10x better than the 14”+ wide floaters. 😂

[@KCTURBOS]

but at the cost of not looking as steezy, so is it worth it?

[@starionslider2116]

@ mmm yep. I kinda had that phase in like late 2000’s but then realized the stock pizza cutter wheels went like 10x better in the snow. I think i also grew up lol. Been rocking the same ‘00 7.3 SD for 19yrs now and its funny how it evolved and gradually went back to all almost all stock parts the older I got 🤣

[@Tylerr_6.7]

My as well just call it tips for winter. The only things you quoted about a diesel is block heater and anti gels

[@mattrydes6775]

Does this guy have a CDL? Sounds like he might or just has a ton of common sense when it comes to driving. Great info. I would add keep some spare fuel filters with you incase you do gel up.

[@KCTURBOS]

He does have a CDL actually! The Spare fuel filter is a great idea!

[@sawyerbeals5105]

Do not let it sit there idling till it gets up to operating temperature. This is so bad for the engine in the long run you will wash out your cylinders. All you are doing is wasting fuel and wearing out your engine. Especially on a 7.3, they will hardly ever get to operating temp at idle. If you are gonna do it, use a high idle switch or tune. Start it up, let it run for maybe a min then start driving under light load. That is the best and fastest way to warm up an engine. Obviously if you have a block or oil pan heater that definitely helps but don’t ruin your engine by letting it sit there and idle till it’s up to temp.

[@fordman2288]

Manual T-cases hardly ever fail and don't lag to shift into hi or lo range.

[@fasturbo7894]

Ehhh i disagree on the warm up timing. 2 min tops then drive nicely till operation temps are reached. The quicker you progress heat in the cylinders the better!

[@alancummings5098]

What about switching oil down to 10W30 from 15W40? Considering doing that for my 7.3 for winter months.

[@KCTURBOS]

I have heard that works great especially in the extremely cold areas

[@Dan-xk3de]

10W-30 was the factory fill oil from Navistar for the 7.3L. I used to run 10w-30 powerstroke oil and change to 15w-40 powerstroke oil in the summer months. I now have a company truck so I drive my personal truck much less now. I’ve had good luck the past 3 years running Rotella T6 5w-40. Very smooth cold starts with it. I was a long time Ford Diesel tech. I now do engine analysis and predictive maintenance on industrial type engines.

[@alancummings5098]

Awesome will give that a try. Thanks!

[@z.rogers8979]

so i have a l5p 2020 i havent had to deal with cold i travel for work but as far as starting a puch button do remote start to let it warm longer or push the button without starting ?

[@KCTURBOS]

The glow plugs on more modern diesels like yours work incredibly quickly. So if you push that button and she fires up right away, you are good. But if you notice her becoming sluggish ever when it gets really cold, its never a bad idea to push the button without the brake depressed so it has a few more second to warm up. This realistically would only be necessary if your truck has been sitting for day without running.

[@ColetonGeorge]

Cycle the plugs….. come on 😂😂😂

[@peixinho5927]

Your glow plugs will only stay on for a certain amount of time depending on how cold it is. You can cycle them a few times and get a little extra heat in the cylinders to help it start better.

[@Dan-xk3de]

This also cycles the fuel pump an additional time as well.

[@brawerth3441]

I wanted advice on driving a DIESEL during the winter... Not advice on how to drive in the winter! ... GOD, WHAT THE HECK!

[@DarrelRiley-s8s]

Don't own a 6.0 or 7.3 unless u plug it in lol

[@KCTURBOS]

If your truck is up to snuff has fresh glow plugs and regular maintenance you can get away with not plugging her in.