Diesel Engines: 3 Tips for A Smooth Running Winter

by Brad, Cars for Keeps Mechanic

Brad is a new employee here in the shop, and with a degree from UTI Automotive School in Chicago, he's been a wonderful resource for the shop. We're happy to welcome him to the team!

From new Volkswagens to older Mercedes to many of you truck owners out there, diesel is becoming more and more popular. With that in mind, I thought you should know some tips for keeping your diesel engines running smooth through the winter.

First: Park your diesel inside if you can. Even if you do park them outside, most diesels have a block heater that will help if you plug them in. If you don’t have a block heater and can't park inside, it may be worth your time to invest in an electric blanket for those cold nights. The reason for keeping them warm is that unlike gasoline, they run off of heat. The fuel is compressed until it ignites off of the heat. So keeping the motor warm will allow for quicker cold starts. This is not only a convenience, but it will also help the engine last longer.

Second: Once you get the engine started, you will want to let it run for a few minutes before driving. The motor needs time to warm up before it can run efficiently. If you start and drive away immediately, you will get worse fuel mileage because some of the fuel will not burn. You will also see a loss in power.

Third: Have your battery tested. A weak or low battery will give you problems. Battery power changes with the temperature, so the colder it is the weaker the battery is in any situation. With lowered temperatures, the oil in any engine thickens, so it takes more power from the battery to start. If you consider these factors and add in the fact that cranking on a diesel is already strenuous on the battery, you find that diesel engines are more prone to battery failure in winter - so be sure to start the winter out on a full battery.

I hope these tips help you have a worry free winter with your diesel!