Kingland Ford Sales Ltd. - Your Hay River, Northwest Territories Ford dealer for new and used vehicle sales and service

Winter Vehicle Tips

Dear Valued Kingland Customer;

With winter quickly approaching it is time once again to ensure your vehicle is properly prepared for the oncoming cold weather. Kingland wants your Ford to work as best as possible during this time. Here are some helpful hints towards a trouble free season.

1. Winter Engine Oil
• Make sure your vehicle has a proper grade of oil for cold weather starting. Typically a 5W20 oil for gas engines and 5W40 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, extending idle time and cold running creates a lot of moisture/condensation in the oil. This moisture is harmful to the engine.

2. Plug In!
• It is vital that the engine block heater gets plugged in for a minimum of 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.

3. Cover Up
• Your vehicle requires a weather front of some type to prevent engine freeze up while travelling in cold temps.
• Most vehicles now have openings in the front grill area as well in the front bumper area. Both areas need to be covered. Both upper and lower openings need to be covered up for winter. This prevents cold air from reaching vital fluids in the engine, transmission and power steering to avoid freezing

4. Warm Up
• Let your vehicle warm up before driving. See below - Kingland Ford Do’s and Don’ts

5. Diesel Engines
• Use 5W40 or 5w40, CJ4 Rated.
• Plug in at -20C and colder
• Plug in overnight, minimum 5 hours.
• 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 (1200 RPM)
• Use a fuel conditioner such as Motocraft Powerstroke anti-gel and performance improver

Kingland Ford “Do’s & Don’ts”

1. Do plug in your vehicle in/ at temperatures -20C degrees and colder.

2. Do plug in your vehicle for a minimum of five hours, recommended overnight.

3. Don’t run your vehicle on short trips on a repetitive basis.
Our experience is that vehicles on 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 for longer periods. This allows the warmth of the engine to evaporate the moisture. Oil changes are required more often under these circumstances.

4. 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 failure in engine, transmission and power steering components.

5. Don’t turn the 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.

6. 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.

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

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