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I’ve personally never owned an auto with a diesel engine, but I have quite a few friends who have one (mostly trucks) and through these friends, I have come to notice a few potential problems that everyone who owns a diesel may face in the midst of winter. I’m sure that many readers who have a diesel sitting in the garage or driveway can attest to the difficulties of driving such a vehicle in winter. For those who have experienced cold mornings sitting in a diesel auto with no luck starting it, there are a few things you can do to make driving your diesel in winter much easier for both you and the vehicle.
Diesel And Cold Weather
Diesel fuel is similar to gasoline in the sense that they are both hydrocarbons, meaning that they are combustible, but that is where the similarities end. Unlike gasoline, which is nearly impossible to freeze, diesel is more susceptible to thickening up in cold weather. The reason for this thickening effect, especially during extreme cold temperatures is because diesel is rich in paraffin. Essentially, the paraffin in diesel is the wax that is found in candles. Take, for example, the last time you burned a candle. When you lit it and let it burn, the wax liquefied, yet when you blew the candle out, the wax hardened. To a degree, this is what happens to diesel in extreme cold conditions. To remedy this issue, a simple anti-gel diesel additive can be added to your tank the next time you fill up. You can pick up a bottle of it at your nearest auto parts store.
Also, before it gets too cold, you should look into replacing your fuel filter. The more clogged up a fuel filter is, the greater the chances that a small piece of frozen paraffin could lodge in it and cut off the supply of fuel to the motor.
Heat Is The Key
Unlike a gasoline based engine, diesel based engines produce the heat necessary to combust the fuel on their own, not from the aid of a spark plug. A spark plug is one of the three elements required to properly combust gasoline, yet diesel engines combust their fuel by heat alone, not spark. A diesel engine can pull this off because of its high compression ratio, which in turn creates more heat within the cylinders (with the aid of glow plugs), at least in comparison to a gasoline based engine. With that said, there are a few relatively minor maintenance procedures that you can follow to make starting and driving your diesel auto easier in the winter. First and foremost, if you live in Northern latitudes (or if it happens to be a particularly cold winter no matter where you live) and experience a lot of sub-freezing temperatures, your best defense against a non-starting diesel engine is a good electric cylinder block heater. Depending on the make of your diesel auto and its age, chances are a newer diesel has a cylinder block heater already installed. All that is required is an extension cord to plug it in.
If you decide to get your fuel filter replaced, it is a good idea to have your glow plugs replaced as well. Glow plugs are a key element in producing the heat necessary to combust diesel within a cylinder. A glow plug in good working condition can throw off roughly 1500 degrees (Fahrenheit) of heat, which in turn leads to a smooth starting experience in cold weather. An older glow plug may not be able to generate the necessary heat to fire up your diesel, so make sure to have them looked over on your next trip to the local mechanic.
Various Tips For Easy Starting
Just like a gasoline based engine, it is vital that your diesel has a healthy battery. A battery on its last leg won’t be able to generate the proper amps to start your diesel, especially in cold conditions. If your battery is getting up there in age, it is probably a good idea to have it replaced. Finally, it is worthwhile to temporarily use lighter weight motor oil in the winter for your diesel. In the warmer months, most diesel owners use 15 or 20 weight oil, but the heavier weight can lead to sluggish starts during cold weather. The next time you visit your mechanic for an oil change or do it yourself, consider using five or zero weight motor oil for a smoother starting and driving experience.
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