In a perfect world I probably would plug in. Here is why I don,t.
1. There are not plugs everywhere I go.
2. If my truck won't start I want to know when I go out to start it in the morning and not find out when I come out from work after a 12 hr. shift where I can't plug in.
3. If it won't start in the cold without a crutch it is useless to me.
I understand that it is better for the engine to not be started cold. I don't care. It's not better for me. I do take precautions such as, jumpers,long extention cord (100ft), starting fluid ( last resort ), diesel 911, misc. small spare parts ect. that I carry all the time. Flame away!

 

Hey, that's your thing. I feel you on that. I plug mine in when it gets below 40*, I live in SC, so it does not get too cold here.

I have started it in Va without plugging it in at 10*, and did not have a problem.

 

Starter fluid? Last resort I hope .


I remember my family's old school 6.2 suburban and if the temp dropped at all it seemed that it had to be plugged in.... My truck not a thing but the coldest it's seen is in the upper 30s. I doubt I'll ever have to plug it in around here.

 

I only plug mine in so the heat is kind of warm when I leave in the morning.

 

1. Are you independently wealthy? If so, don't plug it in.

2. Do you live in Florida? If you do, don't plug it in.

3. Are you **** about your truck? If not, don't plug it in.

4. Do you trade vehicles every 5 years? If so, don't plug it.

5. If your answer to all the above is "Don't plug it in". Then you enjoy leaving a problem for next unlucky person that owns your truck.

6. What's wrong with doing the best you can on a $50,000 investment?

7. Do you think by not plugging it in ALL the time but just some of the time - that its more reliable in any condition? I suggest not. It may be more reliable to plug it in some of the time.

8. I flamed you but really I'm just playing the other side.

 

What's so bad for it if you don't plug it in? I mean this thing has a pretty mean grid heater on it.

 

I like the fact that all that big iron has some heat in it and won't get thermally shocked as bad. Same goes for the gaskets, the bearings, the oil, and of course, that all important warm air heater. (The one blowin hot air on my **** cold feet every morning.
LoL

 

When your 15w40 oil is thick as molasses that mean grid heater ain't doin a thing to help the cylinders recieve oil

 

I have never had to use any of the emergency measures that I mentioned. In 7 years of owning my truck it has only not started one time. That was in my driveway right were I want it to happen . There I have options. Contrary to popular belief start fluid is a viable option although it is the last resort. For you that don't know, you need to disconnect your grid heaters ( or glow plugs if it is another brand of diesel )If you do use it. Otherwise you might not walk away. It also is not good for the engine since it creates high cyl. pressures. I am not advocating its use I just stated that I carry it.

 

Starter fluid Engine get addicted to that stuff.

 

Pluging in doesn't heat your oil anyway. You don't have to use 15-40 oil in it. There are lighter diesel oils available both dino and synthetic. I have had my truck 7 years and will probably have it another 7 years. I have had no issues with the motor other than the common quirks that all cummins 12's have. Just for the record My truck sits in the driveway and i see temps down to -25 deg. where I live. Ha ha this is fun.

 

Its only 5 miles from my house to work. Since the motor in the avenger blew I have to drive my truck. Since 5 miles is not enough to get the truck good and warm I plug my in for the sole purpose of heating the cab earlier. Other than that it rarley gets cold enough in my area to warrent plugging it in on a daily basis.

 

The nice thing about our country is freedom of choice...

Heck, trade your oil burner for a hybrid (j/k)

Last few nights low temps here have been in the teens, I have mine plugged into a timer, kicks in about 3 hours before I start it. I have hot air within the first 2 miles, without it takes me 6-8 miles before I get warm air. And, I like to be able to see through the windshield.

 

Well if it were really that much of an issue they would have had the plugs in as a stock item, not as an option. I live in a cold area and the truck was purchased here and they did not even offer the cord and you know salesmen normally do not miss a beat when it comes to trying to make a buck. Since it is not "Required" until the temps drop below 0 F you boys down south are wasting money using one.

Got to love the warning in the owners manual. "Disconnect heater prior to driving".

 

Exactly. Start using that and down the road it aint gonna start unless you use it, even in fairly warm weather. Dont believe me, come to my work and try starting the deck engines on our pumps. Theyve been hit with ether so much thats all they start on, and struggle even in summer without it. We just got a new truck/pump and were the only crew that uses it. I catch someone using ether on it theyre gettin a butt chewing. I dont know the science behind it, but I know engines get dependent on ether to start.

And Ive never plugged in either of my trucks, even in -30. One doesnt even have the block heater itself installed (havent checked my 07 for one though) I really dont think its all that bad not to...kinda agree with CamperAndy if it was that bad theyd come standard with the block heater and the cord, and there would be something that says you must plug it in; just to cover their own hind end (DCs)