Duramax and Winter

bigdogs · September 16, 2003

I just got a Duramax Diesel truck and am wondering how well they tolerate the cold here in WI. This is the first diesel I have owned so am not sure what all I should/have to do to make it winter ready.

Any pointers much appreciated.

LARSONEM · September 16, 2003

Diesel in your area will be automatically winterized so that shouldn't be a problem. If if gets super cold you can plug in the block heater at night. I picked mine up the first part of March this year and it was 4 degrees above zero that night when I left the dealer. Rattles a little more and doesn't have the zip until the fluids are warmed up, but I didn't have any problems with mine.

Truckman031 · September 16, 2003

Just let it warm up in the mornings.

SoMnDMAX · September 17, 2003

Plug in when you can if the temp gets below 25 degrees.

Use your cold front ('03s didn't come with one, have to get a Lund setup or something) when the temps get below 40 degrees to help the engine warm up.

Use 60/40 fuel. 60% #2, 40% #1. Some stations treat #2 fuel. Use treated or blended fuel as the temps get to 20 degrees or so. When in doubt, ask the station what's in the tanks!! You can also get #2 from some stations, but you will have to add an anti-gel yourself.

Buy your fuel from a station that moves a lot of fuel, such as a truck stop. You chances of getting a bad tank of fuel are much less. This one applies year round.

Let the engine warm up a bit when it's cold. Don't let it idle for hours though. A 5-10 minute warm up should suffice.

bigdogs · September 17, 2003

Thanks for all the tips. The dealer said it "should" start fine down to -27 and on occasion it has got that cold here, altho not too often thankfully. I quickly looked for the plug for the heater but didn't see it so will have to grab the flashlight and see if I can find it. It is an 03 and it did come with a cover for the grill (probably like a bra) so that should help.

I was also at Walmart the other day and saw they had this stuff (can't remember the name) that said it lowers the gel point down like 30-35 degrees, so maybe will get some of that just to be safe. It also had some other benefits so I guess would not hurt to even add some now.

I forgot to ask, I read somewhere that the blended #1 and #2 fuels make less power and more smoke, etc. Will the additive help prevent this from happening?

LARSONEM · September 17, 2003

All 03's come with the cold covers. It's on the 04's that they have been eliminated as standard equipment unless you live in a certain group of states, otherwise they are an option.

You can find the cord on the right front (passenger side) wire tied way down in. You will probably need to in through the wheel opening to cut the wire tie.

Basically #1 fuel is a lighter fuel and will burn quicker. I doubt you will get an answer from an attendant at a station about if the fuel is winterized or blended. My guess is most of them won't know. If you buy from a high volume place that pushes lots of diesel ie: truck stops or where delivery vehicles fill up, you will probably get the blend and minimize your chance for problems.

SoMnDMAX · September 17, 2003

'03s come with the cold front? You guys are lucky.... All the Dmax powered trucks my dealer here in Minnesota has sold came from GM without the covers- mine included.

For '04, the cover is a $50 option here in MN.

Even though there may be a kid behind the counter, it still wouldn't hurt to ask. High volume places generally have somewhat informed people behind the counter. At least that's been my experience. COOP branches and trucks stops are my choices, and they have always been helpful.

Walmart fuel treatment- wouldn't hurt to get some and use some. I use Total Power from FPPF, but Walmart doesn't carry that. Most likely they have Power Service (white bottle), or Shell Rotella DFA. Either could be used. Follow the dosing requirements on the bottle, and you'll be good to go.

LARSONEM · September 17, 2003

I guess maybe everyone is paying for them now on the 04. I had looked at the GM Buypower site earlier and they were supplied for a group of northern states, but now their site is showing that they must be ordered as an option, so maybe the site was incorrectly setup for building a vehicle initially.

Options for Cold Climate Package

Covers, radiator grille and front bumper openings, | for diesel engines in winter weather (V10) $55.00

However Yahoo Autos shows they are included for certain states:

COVERS, RADIATOR GRILLE AND FRONT BUMPER OPENINGS, (Requires (LB7) Engine, Duramax 6600 Turbo Diesel V8, will automatically be included on orders with "Ship To" locations within the following states: Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, Montana, Alaska, Idaho, Wisconsin, Wyoming, Michigan, Colorado and New York) Code: V10

I'd be inclined to think that the GM Buypower site may be more accurate than Yahoo Autos, although Yahoo Autos uses Chrome Data software, which is what the dealer uses to price/spec vehicles. Maybe the error is that the GM Buypower site just doesn't have the "automatically ship to" wording.

Eric

BlackSilver · September 18, 2003

My '03 DuraMax (bought in Arizona) came with the cover as standard equipment (not an option).

But the truck spent the winter in Minnesota, and never failed to start even though it sits out in the cold and I never plugged it in. Just let it run a couple of minutes on really cold mornings (below zero).

If you buy fuel from high volume outlets (Cenex, truck stops, etc.) it will be properly blended and you shouldn't need any gel-retardant additives.

bigdogs · September 18, 2003

Thanks for a tip on where to find that plug in cable, I'll see if I can find it on there. My 03 did come with the radiator cover (which I have not even opened yet) it was just laying on the back seat, but I am in WI so guess they figured it might be needed.

I did also get the stuff in the white bottle at Walmart and it did say it can be used year round as kinda like a fuel cleaner, etc.

Thanks Again for all the help