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Preparing for winter weather is a good idea, no matter what type of vehicle you drive. However, it’s even more crucial for diesel trucks. If you live in a place that gets severe winter weather, this presents several unique challenges for diesel engines. The main issue is that diesel fuel is prone to gelling in extreme cold due to its naturally occurring paraffin wax.
Other issues that can affect diesel engines in cold weather are water contamination, frozen diesel exhaust fluid, and reduced battery power. ProSource Diesel takes a closer look at the unique issues that affect diesel engines in the winter and how to reduce or eliminate the risk.
Unlike regular gasoline, all diesel fuel contains a naturally occurring compound called paraffin wax. This helps the fuel lubricate the engine; however, in severe cold, the wax solidifies into crystals, resulting in thickened fuel. Gelled fuel has many detrimental impacts, including restricting flow to the engine, fuel lines, and filters. It can clog these systems, stalling the engine or keeping it from starting at all.
Diesel fuel can start gelling at 20 degrees Fahrenheit, and biodiesel begins to gel at even higher temperatures. Once the fuel has gelled, it’s not an easy process to get it ungelled. It can take time, requiring your truck to be in a heated area, and it’s not a simple matter of adding a de-gel to the fuel tank if the gelled fuel has already gotten into lines and filters. Therefore, the best way to deal with fuel gelling is to prevent it from happening.
Many areas around the country put winter blend diesel fuel into gas stations during the winter season. However, this is not always enough to prevent gelling in severe cold. The best way to prevent it is to use a high-quality anti-gel additive every time you fill up your truck with fuel during the winter.
Water condensation can happen in diesel fuel tanks when the tank is not full. It can also happen through contaminated fuel delivery. This is another way that diesel differs from regular gasoline. The latter is more refined and can resist condensation, but diesel fuel holds more water. The water can then freeze in fuel lines and filters at 32 degrees Fahrenheit or below before the fuel starts gelling. This causes clogging and corrosion.
How do you prevent this from happening? The best way is to keep your fuel tank at least half full in the winter to reduce the space for condensation to form. You can also use an additive that disperses water.
Cold temperatures can cause engine oil to thicken and flow more slowly. The increased viscosity makes it more difficult for oil to circulate through the engine and lubricate all the components during startup. This can cause unnecessary wear and tear on the engine. To avoid this, it’s a good idea to switch to a lighter-weight oil with lower viscosity that’s recommended for cold weather. This allows for better lubrication and easier starting.
Cold weather does a number on vehicle batteries, no matter what kind of vehicle you drive. However, diesel engines have a higher compression ratio, requiring more battery power to start. Increased starting demand in cold weather, combined with a weak battery, can drain it quickly and leave you stranded. The best way to prevent this is to test your batteries before winter. Clean the terminals and replace the battery if it’s weak. If you live in a very cold climate, you might consider a battery warmer to help maintain full power.
If you have a truck that uses diesel exhaust fluid, this can freeze as well. DEF is a mixture of roughly 67.5% deionized water and 32.5% urea. It freezes at about 12 degrees Fahrenheit. This doesn’t hurt the fluid itself, and most modern DEF systems include a tank heater. However, frozen DEF expands by about 7%, which can cause cracks in the container if the tank is full.
To avoid problems with DEF freezing in the winter, don’t overfill the tank. Instead, allow the heating system to thaw naturally. Don’t add antifreeze, as this can damage the Selective Catalytic Reduction System.
Diesel engines may have trouble starting smoothly in cold weather. The cold air combined with the fuel may cause incomplete combustion, which affects starting ability. You can usually avoid this with the use of glow plugs or a block heater. Check both of these items before winter to ensure that they’re working properly. If you don’t have a block heater, you can get one and use it to warm the engine and fluids before starting.
The diesel engine in your truck isn’t the only thing that needs preparation before winter weather hits. If you need new tires, getting that done before winter is a good idea, too. Worn tread reduces traction, especially on slippery roads. If winter weather in your area is severe, you might also consider switching to winter tires, studded tires, or all-terrain tires. You may also want to carry traction aids like chains.
Similarly, don’t neglect the other fluids and filters in your truck. Check your windshield washer fluid and add fluid that’s rated for subzero temperatures if necessary. You may also need to check and replace differential and transmission fluid to ensure that it’s appropriate for winter weather and cold temperatures.
Invest in cold-weather accessories like block heaters, battery warmers, and fuel tank heaters. All three of these products can help with some of the engine problems mentioned above. Another item to consider is a remote starter or timer for pre-heating. Depending on the year and model of your truck, you may already have a remote start system.
When driving in winter weather, it’s always a good idea to have an emergency kit on hand if you get stuck in the middle of a snowstorm or something similar. An emergency kit should consist of items like spare fuel filters, fuel additives, oil additives, jumper cables, tow straps, and portable jump starters for your truck. Extra warm clothing, blankets, water, and food are also good things to have on hand.
Finally, winter weather requires a change in driving habits. Allow extra time to warm up your engine without excessive idling. While driving, avoid situations where you have to brake hard or speed up excessively. Department of Transportation sites around the country often emphasize “know before you go”. Check the weather conditions and forecasts before you get on the road to be prepared for conditions that can change quickly in some places.
It’s always a good idea to prepare for winter early so you’re not left in the cold when bad weather hits. You can count on ProSource Diesel for a wide selection of accessories like glow plugs and block heaters, plus additives to resist gelling and lighter-weight oil.
