Winter Vehicle Tips

1.  Winter Engine Oil!

• Make sure your vehicle has the proper grade of oil for cold weather starting.  Typically a 5W20 oil for gas engines and 0W40 oil for diesel engines.  Synthetic oils provide better cold starting and lubrication than regular oil.

• Your oil needs to be changed more often in colder temps, extended idle time and cold running creates a lot of moisture / condensation in the oil.  This moisture in the oil may cause engine damage.

2.  Plug In!

• It is vital that the engine block heater gets plugged in for a minimum 5 hours once temps are below -20C.  Starting a cold engine (not plugged in) can create engine damage!

• No start repairs; due to vehicle not being plugged in are not covered by warranty.

• It is less costly plugging in your vehicle, than the cost of de-flooding or the fuel consumed on Remote Start.  For an 8-hour period, based on the current NWT rates this would be less than 50 cents per evening.

3.  Cover Up!

• Your vehicle requires a weather front of some type to prevent engine freeze up while traveling in cold temps.

• Most vehicles now have opening in the front grill area as well as in the front bumper area.  Both areas need to be covered.

4.  Warm Up!

• Let your vehicle warm up before driving.

• Don’t operate your vehicle for short trips on a repetitive basis.  Our experience is that vehicles on remote start or short commutes will have a build up of condensation inside the oil pan.  The condensation that subsequently causes freezing inside the engine, can be eliminated by allowing a longer warm up time in harsh weather, or driving longer time.  This allows the warmth of the engine to evaporate the moisture.

• Do allow engine to warm up until heat is felt from heater.  This is an area of contention for some people.  Environmentalists say that this wastes fuel and is not necessary.  However we know that warming up the engine allows the fluid in the engine, transmission and especially the power steering a chance to warm up and flow properly.  This greatly reduces failures in engine, transmission and power steering components.

• Don’t turn steering wheel during initial start up.  Avoid turning the steering wheel to the maximum.  Full turns whether hot or cold cause the steering pump to operate at full pressure and potentially damage power steering components.

• Do turn heater fan to low when you park your vehicle for the night.  When first starting your vehicle in the morning, ensure the heater fan is on low.  This allows the engine to warm up faster.  A heater pulls more heat from the engine cooling system requiring longer idle times to warm up the engine and the vehicle.

• Don’t start with Remote Starter at first start up of the day in extreme cold, -35C and colder.  Kingland suggests that you are not reliant on an electronic device in extreme temperatures.  You may end up with a flooded vehicle.

5.  Diesel Engines!

• Use 0W40 engine oil.
• Plug in at -20C and colder.
• Plug in overnight
• Proper warm up time, once warm air is felt from heater.
• If left for more than 15 minutes should be set on a high idle (1200RPM)
• Use a fuel conditioner such as Motorcraft Powerstroke Anti-Gel and Performance Improver.