I figured I would start this thread for discussing what everyone does to their trucks in preparation for the winter months. From oil weight changes to grill covers to block heater timers, etc.

Add in any tips or tricks that you have found to make those dark, cold 5:30am starts easier, and make these trucks last as long as possible. All Cummins generations welcome!

 

Move to southern Calif. and not worry about it.

 

all i do is plug the truck in when i park it for the night, then let it warm up for about 5 mins or so. Dont really worry about the oil because every class 7 and 8 truck ive ever driven never had anything but 15-40 in it. I rum power service with the anti-gel but do that through the summer too.

 

This how I'm dealing with this winter. I moved out of North Dakota. was 83 here today and sunny. Can't wait for the warmer winter.

How about all you guys and gals in Canada and Alaska?

 

I make sure I've got a bottle of PS 911 in the tool box, an extra fuel filter (already carry one), and a snow shovel to move the big, light stuff that takes so long to move with a foldable e-tool! I've run 15W-40 year-round in Fairbanks, but the truck was always plugged in and had an oil pan heater. I also noticed much easier starts when I switched to 5W-40. I'm switching to synthetic this winter simply because I dont feel like changing oil until the spring. I've removed the fan for winter use, but it's quicker and just as effective to throw a pizza box between the intercooler and the radiator. I use the block heater anytime it drops below 30F: 2hrs if it's above 20F, 3hrs between 10F and 20F, and 4hrs if it's between 0F and 10F. Anything below 0F gets plugged in when I go to bed the night before. I notice you're in Georgia, so you really don't have to worry about anything. Your winter is probably warmer than my whole summer (average high this year was 58 with less than 10 days over 70).

 

Normally I do a good inspection of my truck and fix whatever I can before winter hits. I don't wanna be stuck out on the side of the road in the snow. I'll check the coolant to make sure its good till -40 even though it doesn't get that cold here. This year I have to change my coolant, its due. I changed all me diff fluids, trans, and transfer case fluids.

If you live in a cold climate, keep a spare fuel filter in your truck in case your truck gels up. Use a good anti-gel additive when you fuel up. Check your tires, I live in a snowy area and need to replace mine before it gets snowy and icy out. I run 15w40 oil in the winter and don't have a problems starting, I'm sure if i used 5w-40 it would start better but my truck is just fine. Check your batteries too, make sure they are taking a full charge and make sure the alt is charging at the right voltage. If the batteries are more than 5 yrs old I would replace them.

 

I plug it in overnight when temps get below freezing. Temps below 0, I block the front, let the grid heaters cycle + 5 more minutes in N before I take off, then take it easy until the heater puts out a little heat, & run a 60/40 blend of #1 & #2 fuel w/ a double dose of 2 cycle oil.

Need to check the antifreeze and load test the batteries yet.

 

I agree with Adaminak. My truck has spent it's whole life in the north. Montana, Alaska and now Idaho. I always plug in at 30 deg and below, use Power Service white bottle, keep Power Service Diesel 911 and a couple spare fuel filters in the truck. I run synthetic 5-40 or syn 15-40 for easier starting. I have forgotten to plug my truck in and it's still started at -30 deg, but I wouldn't recommend that happen very often. The truck smoked and rattled like a 12v. Oil pan heater is a nice thing as well when it gets pretty cold. I use a grill cover (Lund Cold Front), which helps but but isn't any more effective than a piece of cardboard between the intercooler and radiator.

 

0w40 synthetic in the motor, oil pan heater, good batteries, synthetic in the diffs, front completely blocked off, 45 psi in the tires, and 3-400 lbs of weight in the bed for traction, small shovel

big bottle of rum...

 

Take the fan off and watch the weather so I can be driving the Benz if it snows. 5 speed 2wd duallies with plenty of power and a touchy clutch are pretty much useless in snow.

 

It certainly doesn't get very cold here. Maybe high teens or low 20s a couple of times. But that said............I noticed a tremendous difference this past winter running Shell Rotella 5w40 Synthetic over the standard 15w40.

It made the "cold" starts seem almost like a 70 degree day. The engine just purred. I don't think im going back to 15w40 now.

..

 

The only thing I do is get the extension cord ready to plug it in. All the rest (like check fluids) I do on a normal basis anyway. Winter is like any other day just a little colder.

 

i check tire pressures, test the batteries, check the block heater, rain-x all my windows & clean the air filter. i've reached 200k so im flushing the coolant and changing all the rad hoses, changing thermostat & belt.... but I do like Winkles idea

 

I'm too busy worrying about a Ike to do anything for winter just yet. I usually don't have to worry, just change oil, check pressure, check all of my aftermarket mods, their connections, make sure everything is torquedtdown good, and give it the best wax its ever had before it gets too cold.

 

Don't forget to touch-up all those rock chips and give her a good wax before the snow flies.

Some will re-paint the receiver hitch and diff covers, one guy on here even said he sprays the frame with WD40.