Duramax and cold climates
Question:
I am wanting to buy a Duramax 2500HD but am worried about it because of my location. I am in the Chicago area. How are they as far as starting in the winter months? I generally commute 50 miles one way to work and then my truck sits in the parking lot for 8hrs and commute home. Just curious how they are in a cold climate as far as starting, etc. I grew up on a far in northern Minnesota and I know that all of our big John Deere and Cummings diesels were a nightmare to start in the winter although they were a heck of alot bigger than the Duramax. Thanks. Curtis
Response:
I went through last winter in northern New England without a problem with my 2003 Duramax. Without plugging in the block heater, I had no problem starting as low as -10F in the morning. I would recommend that in that kind of weather, you should make sure your batteries are in good shape and use synthetic 5w-40 oil (which can be used year round). Of course, all bets are off if your fuel is not winterized. One thing about the Duramax is that it warms up slowly. In winter, even with a 10 mile one way commute, it may never fully warm up. However, GM supplies with the truck a grille cover for winter use if you feel you need to build heat faster. Ray 2500HD GMC SLT Crew Cab 2003
Response:
I live in northern Alberta, Canada where it goes down to over minus 45 F for weeks at a time, and I see people driving their Duramax diesels all over the place. I know they plug them in and use synthetic oil. Clint – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> I went through last winter in northern New England without a problem > with my 2003 Duramax. Without plugging in the block heater, I had no > problem starting as low as -10F in the morning. I would recommend > that in that kind of weather, you should make sure your batteries are > in good shape and use synthetic 5w-40 oil (which can be used year > round). > Of course, all bets are off if your fuel is not winterized. > One thing about the Duramax is that it warms up slowly. In winter, > even with a 10 mile one way commute, it may never fully warm up. > However, GM supplies with the truck a grille cover for winter use if > you feel you need to build heat faster. > Ray 2500HD GMC SLT Crew Cab 2003
