Winter is comming???

[CDN Ram]

So far I have loved my '14 3500 and the cummins motor is exceptional. But with this being my first diesel, I was wondering if anyone had a list of things they do to their RAM and or cummins prior to winter to help the truck. Ie additive in the diesel (anti gel), Tire pressures, winter prep... ECT.....

Thanks in advance.

 

[N1ck]

I only have a 1500 but I got a semi synthetic oil change, tire pressure checked and changed my battery out to a northstar AGM.

 

[14hemiexpress]

I live in Texas so it doesn't get quite as cold but I use to use anti gel additive and kept it plugged in when it was like 40 F or colder out I had a old 7.3 it was a hard starter anyways. I hav seen lots of people up north way north run the grill covers... I'm not sure there techincal name but there is a lot of Canadian members they will have better information.

 

[Caldwell]

Plugging in the trucks block warmer will make your life much easier in sub 40 degree temps this winter lol.

 

[Rambling]

I am from Northern Ontario Canada. What I do prior to winter is change the oil to a thinner viscosity (5w30), conventional or synthetic. Makes for easier starts and less strain on engine components. And I also use my vehicle's block heater. This essentially warms the coolant in the block thus making early morning sub-zero starts possible. And as mentioned by 14hemiexpress, some utilize grill covers to help preserve as much of the heat as possible. Without this grill cover the heat inside your truck will decrease the colder it gets as the engine can't produce enough heat. But of course, all of this is dependent on where you live and how cold it gets. And it also depends if your vehicle is equipped with a block heater or not, some aren't. But generally you can add it after the case if you wish as the block heater is installed via one of your freeze plugs.

 

[smurfs_of_war]

All good advice above.

Our Saskatchewan cold snaps in January have been know to dip to -50C in the wind. One addition I put on all my trucks is a recirculating heater. Some call it overkill, but I plug the regular block heater in at night and the recirc on a timer to kick in at 5:30AM. Starts beautiful and is warm in seconds. I have yet to install it on my Ram, but with the fluid heat control for the transmission I think it's on my "must do" list right away.

Some cover the grills, some don't. If you do, make sure you leave a decent open gap otherwise your rad will ice up and you'll overheat. I don't know if 3500s have active grill shutters. If they do, do not use a grill cover. Apparently they ice up and freeze shut or open causing all forms of problems.

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[loveracing1988]

All good advice above.

Our Saskatchewan cold snaps in January have been know to dip to -50C in the wind. One addition I put on all my trucks is a recirculating heater. Some call it overkill, but I plug the regular block heater in at night and the recirc on a timer to kick in at 5:30AM. Starts beautiful and is warm in seconds. I have yet to install it on my Ram, but with the fluid heat control for the transmission I think it's on my "must do" list right away.

Some cover the grills, some don't. If you do, make sure you leave a decent open gap otherwise your rad will ice up and you'll overheat. I don't know if 3500s have active grill shutters. If they do, do not use a grill cover. Apparently they ice up and freeze shut or open causing all forms of problems.

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Only the 1500's have the grill shutters.

 

[loveracing1988]

I am from Northern Ontario Canada. What I do prior to winter is change the oil to a thinner viscosity (5w30), conventional or synthetic. Makes for easier starts and less strain on engine components. And I also use my vehicle's block heater. This essentially warms the coolant in the block thus making early morning sub-zero starts possible. And as mentioned by 14hemiexpress, some utilize grill covers to help preserve as much of the heat as possible. Without this grill cover the heat inside your truck will decrease the colder it gets as the engine can't produce enough heat. But of course, all of this is dependent on where you live and how cold it gets. And it also depends if your vehicle is equipped with a block heater or not, some aren't. But generally you can add it after the case if you wish as the block heater is installed via one of your freeze plugs.

Why not run 5w40 that way when it is warmed up it gets the protection like normal. In cold weather it will be the same viscosity.

 

[smurfs_of_war]

Only the 1500's have the grill shutters.

Wasn't sure. Thanks for correcting that

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