November 10, 2023
Sometimes starting your diesel vehicle in frigid temperatures can let you down. Diesel engines respond differently to cold weather than gasoline engines.
Prepping your diesel vehicle for the winter months is key to avoiding being stranded in the snow or paying costly repair fees. Fortunately, you can perform many of the necessary preparations in your own garage.
Having more water than ethylene glycol in your cooling system increases the likelihood of the coolant freezing, which messes up the circulation of your engine’s cooling system. Ironically, this blockage could cause your engine to overheat.
Check your antifreeze/coolant levels to keep your engine at optimal temperatures and with the correct water-to-ethylene glycol ratio to keep your vehicle’s cooling system functioning correctly in the winter months. The proper ratio will depend on the climate you live in.
During the winter months, diesel fuel forms wax-like crystals, which eventually gel when it becomes extremely cold. The phenomenon is known as “diesel fuel gelling.”
The resulting waxy buildup in the fuel filters, lines, or injectors causes engine performance issues and leads to engine failure.
You can use fuel additives to prevent buildup. Additives improve cold-weather performance and even remove existing wax crystals to keep the fuel running smoothly.
Checking your heater and defroster is essential to be warm and toasty while avoiding an icy or foggy windshield this winter.
Replace your regular washer fluid with winter-grade washer fluid with antifreeze properties. Make sure the fluid reservoir is full.
Turn on your wipers and make sure they are working correctly. Always have an ice scraper handy if you need to remove ice from the windshield and wiper blades quickly.
You should already have your regular emergency kit items, like a first aid kit, jumper cables, blankets, tire-changing tools, etcetera. But every winter, you should add things that would help if you get stuck in your car in the freezing weather. Here are some things to add:
Depending on your skill set, some equally important items require visiting your local BG shop, where your trusted tech can use specific tools to check and prepare your car for winter and address any findings.
Cold temperatures slow down the chemical reactions inside your battery, so you’re more prone to battery issues in the winter. The last thing you want is to end up in a powerless car on the side of the road in freezing temperatures. Get your battery tested before the cold weather hits to see what condition it’s in.
Colder temperatures affect the flowability of certain types of engine oils. Switch to a lower-viscosity oil, which is more winter-friendly. Lower-viscosity oils flow more easily at lower temperatures for smoother engine starts and better lubrication. Having the right oil in the winter months will reduce the wear and tear on your engine.
The glow plugs superheat, aiding in the combustion process. Think of it as the diesel engine equivalent of a spark plug.
If your glow plugs stop working in the winter, your vehicle might be unable to heat the engine. So, make sure they’re in working condition before winter hits.
Whether or not you have a block heater in your vehicle depends on your region. Block heaters can be found in both gasoline and diesel vehicles and are only common in extremely cold climates.
Although it’s not diesel-specific, it benefits diesel engines the most; the block heater keeps the coolant warm so it doesn’t freeze. This process can aid in the warm-up period as well.
If the block heater malfunctions, the engine will be colder during the winter, leading to harsher “cold starts.” Cold starts put extra strain on the battery, reduce engine performance, create wear and tear on the oil, delay cabin heating, and potentially damage the engine.
Test your vehicle’s block heater before it gets cold.