I have a neighbor who's husband passed away this summer. He had an 04 duramax and she is keeping it. She parks it outside and will only use it in the summer months to pull her trailer. She asked me if she needed to plug it in during the winter. I told her that I really didnt know for sure, I told her that I think when it gets down arond 15-20 deg at night, I told her that I would find out for sure and let her know. I dont plug mine in cause its in a warm garage in the winter.

Any tips for me to keep her truck in good shape this winter? It gets down around 10 deg at night in January

 

I only plug mine in so th heater works in the morning. My friend never plugged in his 97 Powerstroke when he lived in up state NY. And it got verrrry cold out there!

So I would say it's not necessary.

 

My 87 6.9 cranked at Beech Mnt @ 2degrees F. Just had antigel in it.I would think it would help, but not be necassary. I'm sure some D-Max owners will chime in for a for sure answer.

 

No, if she's only going to drive it during the summer months she doesn't have to worry about pluging it in, "but" she had better put something in that diesel to make sure it doesn't gel. I would tell her to drive it at least every other week, just to get things moving...

 

I used to drive an 02 duramax. I always plug in my truck if it gets below 40. Since she isn't gonna drive it much than just start it about once a week and let it idle for 30 mins or so.

 

I wouldn't worry about plugging it in if temps are above 0 degrees F, especially if she's not driving it. Good suggestion on starting it periodically. Besides keeping oil pumped through the engine it will help keep the batteries charged up. There is enough parasitic drain in these newer vehicles to wipe out the batteries if the vehicles sits around for 5 months.

 

make sure the tank is full to prevent condensation, some antigel in there also and what suggested above about starting it once in awhile to keeps things lubed and batts charged. no need to plug in if not being used.

 

Thanks for the info guys.

 

I would be more worried about the battery's myself . Being parked that long my suggestion would be a trickle charger on it during the winter . Starting an engine up once a week and shutting it off to keep them up is a big mistake in my book but is what a lot of people do .

 

I agree, If your not going to get it up to operating temperature and keep it there for a while I wouldn't even bother starting it up and letting it idle, especially in the cold, worst thing for them.

 

I had an 04 duramax that I kept through a colorado winter @ 8,000 ft and never plugged it in, I drove it everyday. If she isn't going to run it at all during the winter then nothin to worry bout.