colder weather...

Jlhaney232 · 10-01-2009, 07:37 AM

I just bought my duramax about a month ago and this will be my first winter with her. How do I prep for winter weather? I live on the gulf coast so it doesnt get below 0 or anything like that, but I just want to check and make sure. Thanks for any help yall can give me! oh was digging around in the engine bay and found a house plug. A friend said its a block warmer. what good does a block warmer do? I know it heats the block but why?

**ob_1jr** · 10-01-2009, 10:44 AM

The block heater warms the coolant so the truck will start easier. You really dont have to worry about that unless the temp gets below -10F or colder. Even then if you have synthetic oil in the engine, then you will be ok. If you dont know when the last time the fuel filter was changed...(i would change it anyway even if you do) change it and keep a spare in your truck. I would run a fuel additive like stanadyne or power service at least every couple of tanks. i run it every tank in alaska, but it gets a lot colder there. I highly doubt you will have much problems during the winter there. You will see your wait to start light stay on for a little bit during that time. Your truck will start better if you wait to start until it goes out. Also i would let your truck idle for at least 2-5 mins on a cold start in the morning. Other than that, there isnt that much to worry about.

**mrmanners** · 10-01-2009, 10:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jlhaney232

I just bought my duramax about a month ago and this will be my first winter with her. How do I prep for winter weather? I live on the gulf coast so it doesnt get below 0 or anything like that, but I just want to check and make sure. Thanks for any help yall can give me! oh was digging around in the engine bay and found a house plug. A friend said its a block warmer. what good does a block warmer do? I know it heats the block but why?

Where are you moving to the gulf coast? Have family in MS and FL. Anyway, you don't have much to worry about temperature wise but I would consider synthetic fluids and fuel additives. If I can help with that, let me know.

Take care,

whiteknight2002 · 10-01-2009, 11:47 AM

So the warmer only warms the coolant?!

**ob_1jr** · 10-01-2009, 11:51 AM

block/coolant. If you want the oil warm you have to add a heater to the oil pan.

whiteknight2002 · 10-01-2009, 12:03 PM

Well I was wondering if I should go fish out my cord, since I live in Utah and we do get some cold nights and a lot of snow! There is a lot of nights that are in the teens, but not to much it gets much colder than that. But of course it did snow here for the last two days! Crazy Utah weather!

K9Duramax · 10-01-2009, 12:07 PM

Wouldn't hurt, but not a necessity. If the teens is all the colder you get, it will just help with warm up a little bit- turn it on maybe 2 hours before you start it.

whiteknight2002 · 10-01-2009, 12:10 PM

So you say turn on 2 hours before I start it? Leaving it plugged in all night wouldn't be good? I even wonder how much it pulls off of the house power!? I wouldn't think it would be much.

kman2468 · 10-01-2009, 12:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by whiteknight2002

So you say turn on 2 hours before I start it? Leaving it plugged in all night wouldn't be good? I even wonder how much it pulls off of the house power!? I wouldn't think it would be much.

i leave at7 and usually turn mine on at 4
i left mine all night before it doesnt hurt its jus electricity
i left it on because it was -32 with windchill out

**ob_1jr** · 10-01-2009, 12:14 PM

You will hate it if you leave it plugged in all night. Its not needed all night. It wont hurt anything in most cases but your electric bill.