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I have a diesel truck and, when it gets really cold, it helps a lot to plug in the block heater. I also need to use an anti-gel additive for the fuel. Where I live in PA, I haven't really had to use anti-gel over the years, except for last year when I really regretted not adding it.
I'm guessing that the MB E350 doesn't have a block heater. Do you guys use regular anti-gel additive? Or do you just make sure you only park in heated garages?
The coldest temperature that I subjected my previous E320BT to was -15C or 5F.
After being outside all night, there was a very short delay (1-2 secs.) with the glow plug before start-up. I did not add any anti-gel to the fuel tank.
I have not yet read of any winter start-up issues with the E350BT in cold conditions.
My 2012 E350 has two years of Toronto winters under its belt. Temperatures have hit lows of -30 C (maybe even lower but you get the point....COLD).
No block heater needed. No additives needed. No delay starts. Drives no differently than my gas vehicles. I just press the start button, car starts normally, a very short "warmup" (a few minutes) and off I go.
My 2012 E350 has two years of Toronto winters under its belt. Temperatures have hit lows of -30 C (maybe even lower but you get the point....COLD).
No block heater needed. No additives needed. No delay starts. Drives no differently than my gas vehicles. I just press the start button, car starts normally, a very short "warmup" (a few minutes) and off I go.
That's good to hear. I live in PA now, but I'm also from Toronto so I know the cold you're talking about. I visit Orangeville a few times every year to see my parents.
Anyway, I think the gel point of #2 is much higher than -30C and the fuel doesn't care what kind of car it's in. It's possible that they add the anti-gel before you pump it in Canada (and maybe here too).
Thanks for the info - much appreciated. Sounds like something I don't have to worry about.
Gel point of normal diesel is ~ -7c/19F if I recall correctly. I experienced this once with a 240D in North Florida where they didn't put winter additives in the diesel. I'm 99% sure any areas which experience freezing temperatures normally will have winter diesel for sale.
That said, the coldest I've personally ever driven my 1979 240D was ~25F. The glow plug light took quite some time, but she did start, and that's 1970's technology. Some 35+ years later, the situation's MUCH better.
Here's a -25c (-13F) cold start on a GL350. Note that the driver didn't even bother to wait for the glowplug light to indicate the 'plugs were up to temperature:
I've had two experiences starting a diesel in *really* cold weather.Both took place in a town called Val d'Or,Quebec which is a couple of hundred miles north of Montreal.One was in my first BMW,the second was with my Bluetec...just last January.
Here's what happened earlier this year.Arrived in Val d'Or about 6PM.It was about -30F.My tank was almost empty so I went to a nearby Shell station and filled up.Got to the hotel and was in for the night.The car sat from 6:15PM until 7:30AM next morning.No garage...battery charger...block heater...or fuel additives (*never* used additives because of warranty fears).At 7:30AM it was -40F and the car started with *no problem at all*.Of course it sounded like,and handled like,a Mack truck for the first 30 miles or so but....
And my experience with my BMW was identical except that it was only -30F when I started it.
IMO the key factors for starting a diesel in winter is a strong battery and *locally blended* diesel.
I live in Connecticut, and bought my car in Feb 2012, so if you count the little first winter, this is my fourth winter with the car. We get below zero here, but not really to the minus 30F that you see in Minnesota etc...
Anyway, in the really cold -F, or -30C, the car will take one to two seconds for the glow plug to super heat the fuel before it fires the engine.
That is all. And I have a one car garage that's full of snow blower, lawn mower, etc... so my cars all stay outside 24/7/365.
Actually, in that video, the curly light which indicated the glow plugs are active turns off before he starts the car. Even in extreme cold, I've never seen them stay on for more than a second or two, just like in that video.
YYZ is in Canada.It seems possible that Benzes destined for Canada have block heaters either as an option or standard equipment.I know that VW,at least at one time,had block heaters standard on their Canadian vehicles...don't know if they still do.If block heaters are available,even as an option,for US vehicles it's completely news to me.
YYZ is in Canada.It seems possible that Benzes destined for Canada have block heaters either as an option or standard equipment.I know that VW,at least at one time,had block heaters standard on their Canadian vehicles...don't know if they still do.If block heaters are available,even as an option,for US vehicles it's completely news to me.
Perhaps different for USA although I suspect the northeastern states would have them as standard or as part of a cold weather package.
For Canada it was equipment included within country code 701.
Actually, in that video, the curly light which indicated the glow plugs are active turns off before he starts the car. Even in extreme cold, I've never seen them stay on for more than a second or two, just like in that video.
Interesting - my diesel truck has a glow plug indicator. In the winter, it's not unusual to see them stay on for 30 seconds before the light goes out.
As I see this discussion unfold, I'm starting to wonder if I had old summer fuel in the truck when I had my problem. The truck even has a heated fuel filter bowl (which is pretty large), but that doesn't help when the lines back to the tank are full of gelled fuel.
You take a broom or snow brush, clean off the car, then take a shovel and clean off the driveway, and then you can get in the car.
I'm a native Floridian. My only snow experiences are being in NYC/Chicago for work, where other people handle the driving, shoveling, etc. Somehow have managed to avoid driving in snow thus far.
I had my 06 CDI for 8 years, always parked outside (in weather down to -20F), and never had a problem starting, it would run a little rough at extremely cold temps until it warmed up. I did use Power Service anti-gel (white bottle) in the winter, and alternated between Lucas Injector cleaner and Power Service booster (grey bottle) in the summer.
I also had a Smartkey remote starter from Midcity and it was great for cold snowy days. Start the car inside while getting dressed, come out, shovel, clean off the car and it's already warm by the time you get in.
Guys,
I work in then fuel industry in Calgary, and have an E 250. A few comments...
-Block heaters are generally recommended for temps around 0F, for gas or Diesel engines.
-Block heaters heat the coolant in the block, not the fuel, so if the diesel has gelled in the tank, the block heater doesn't help.
-we've started our E250 at -18C without the block heater and driven off immediately, without issue. The engine doesn't benefit from idling to warm it up.
Diesel is blended to meet the cold weather needs of the local geography for the season. For example, in June diesel may be blended to be good to 0C, but at this time of year, in Calgary it might be good to -30C. Currently in Toronto, it might be blended to be good to -20, as Toronto's a warmer climate.
Generally, your diesel should be good without additives unless you hit really unseasonably cold weather, or find yourself filling up in one area and driving to another much colder zone.
Guys,
I work in then fuel industry in Calgary, and have an E 250. A few comments...
See my previous post (Post #6) regarding my personal experiences.You,being a diesel owner in Alberta,surely have some experiences of your own that aren't connected to your familiarity with the petroleum industry.Being a lifelong New Englander I was somewhat apprehensive about some of the stories about diesels and winter I had heard before I bought my first one.Now,after my two experiences in Quebec (it was the very first time I had experienced -40F),I have no fear whatever.
A healthy battery and locally blended fuel is all you need in my experience.
12-10-2014, 12:02 PM
