If I buy diesel will I have to plug in my car?

[realmenhatelife]

I'm car shopping and seriously considering buying a TDI- I'm generally getting the info I need but I cant get a clear idea of how often I'm going to have to plug it in during the winter. I live in the Philly area and the winter generally only dips into the teens at its worst. A friend of mine lives on a mountain in Wyoming, and she said she only had to plug her Sportwagon in duing the week it was -30. Does anyone else have experience with diesel engines and the winter?

[drjoek]

My dad always had a deisel and garaged it without having to plug it in

[~Katja~]

Not quite sure what you mean by plugging it in but in Germany a lot of people drive Diesel vehicles because unlike here, the fuel was just so much cheaper compared to regular unleaded.
I don't remember anybody having issues with the cars during the winters and it can get pretty cold there as well.

[Jujubees2]

Just don't get gum on your diesel. I heard it's hard to get off. (http://ronfez.net/forums/showthread.php?t=79177&highlight=diesel)

[~Katja~]

Just don't get gum on your diesel. I heard it's hard to get off. (http://ronfez.net/forums/showthread.php?t=79177&highlight=diesel)

LOL... when I first read that thread I thought he was talking jeans...

[realmenhatelife]

Not quite sure what you mean by plugging it in but in Germany a lot of people drive Diesel vehicles because unlike here, the fuel was just so much cheaper compared to regular unleaded.
I don't remember anybody having issues with the cars during the winters and it can get pretty cold there as well.

In cold weather diesel fuel begins to gel, if it gels too much you cant start your engine. You plug it in overnight so you can start it in the morning.

I dont have a garage, if I did I'd be pretty confident about buying deisel no problem. And I wouldnt care if I had to plug it in all the time because it would be in the garage. I only have street parking though, which is why this becomes problematic.

[Don Stugots]

you used to have to do in cold weather but i dont know if you still do. sorry.

[~Katja~]

In cold weather diesel fuel begins to gel, if it gels too much you cant start your engine. You plug it in overnight so you can start it in the morning.

I dont have a garage, if I did I'd be pretty confident about buying deisel no problem. And I wouldnt care if I had to plug it in all the time because it would be in the garage. I only have street parking though, which is why this becomes problematic.

I don't remember anybody having these issues but maybe it is a problem of the past?

just a quick google search I saw this:
Regular diesel fuel is “winterized” or seasonally adjusted at the distributor before it’s delivered to the pumps. Winterizing is done by mixing pump No. 2 diesel with No. 1 diesel, its more refined cousin. Winterizing diesel fuel is done to maintain the cold weather flow characteristics, and the ratios vary depending upon regional distribution. To effectively use biodiesel in cold climates, it must be mixed with winterized diesel in varying percentages, which, once again, are regionally dependent.

[realmenhatelife]

I don't remember anybody having these issues but maybe it is a problem of the past?

just a quick google search I saw this:


I saw the same thing in my googling. The problem is everything I read is very ambiguous, and I can't ask follow up questions to google. Thats why I was hoping someone could say "I own a newer diesel engine, I park it outside, I use a fuel additive in the winter and I never plug my car in...."

[~Katja~]

I would say if you have a specific make and model in mind you probably can find more detailed information as well as call the dealer or talk to a mechanic.
Why are you considering a TDI ? Gas prices seem much lower for regular gas and the gas mileage has been so much improved over the past years.

[realmenhatelife]

I would say if you have a specific make and model in mind you probably can find more detailed information as well as call the dealer or talk to a mechanic.
Why are you considering a TDI ? Gas prices seem much lower for regular gas and the gas mileage has been so much improved over the past years.


Oddly enough diesel fuel was either the same or a little cheaper when gas prices were peaking this summer, even though it is more expensive during the rest of the year. But the diesels get way better gas mileage than a regular car and are much more in my price range than a hybrid which has a lot less power. The engines also last much longer than normal engines, and they can be converted to biodiesel if I ever want to go down that route.

[~Katja~]

Oddly enough diesel fuel was either the same or a little cheaper when gas prices were peaking this summer, even though it is more expensive during the rest of the year. But the diesels get way better gas mileage than a regular car and are much more in my price range than a hybrid which has a lot less power. The engines also last much longer than normal engines, and they can be converted to biodiesel if I ever want to go down that route.

though it seems that biodiesel has more problems in the winter and needs more additives

Well hopefully someone here has more experience or maybe you have a mechanic friend who has more insight.

[earthbrown]

Modern Diesel cars have special built in heaters to heat fuel just before going in to the motor. As long as the diesel is not gelled, it will start, I would in weather under 20* add an additive to the fuel.

You can buy anti-gel at any truck stop for like $12 a bottle. Each bottle treats like 200 gallons or some shit, so add a slight amount, if its really cold, you need to add and cycle it, or it wont work. Kinda smelly, Diesel pumping is awful.

You can also keep fuel costs down with a siphon kit, hand held CB, and $20. My friend use to have a diesel pickup, and would stop by the local truckstop and buy diesel from drivers usually 1/2 of the pump price, as drivers dont pay for the fuel their company does.


K

[boosterp]

Modern Diesel cars have special built in heaters to heat fuel just before going in to the motor. As long as the diesel is not gelled, it will start, I would in weather under 20* add an additive to the fuel.

You can buy anti-gel at any truck stop for like $12 a bottle. Each bottle treats like 200 gallons or some shit, so add a slight amount, if its really cold, you need to add and cycle it, or it wont work. Kinda smelly, Diesel pumping is awful.

You can also keep fuel costs down with a siphon kit, hand held CB, and $20. My friend use to have a diesel pickup, and would stop by the local truckstop and buy diesel from drivers usually 1/2 of the pump price, as drivers dont pay for the fuel their company does.


K

There is your answer. I agree with the 20 degrees and adding the additive. You can find it at any local parts store for a very reasonable price. You add it when the forecast calls for sustained temps below 20 on a full tank. Drive it around the block after adding it, and you are good. The plugging in you refer to is a little heating coil that keeps the engine temp warmer than the surroundings, it is not needed unless you live somewhere like Minnesota.

[realmenhatelife]

Thanks Guys, I feel more confident about going for a diesel in PA.

[Farmer Dave]

I drive a diesel pickup truck, and own many diesel tractors. Teens will be no problem. Northern states blend their fuel during the colder months and you may even experience a small drop in mileage because of it.

Fuel treatment is added insurance against gelling.

I've only gelled my truck once. I left it out over night when it was -15 degrees with #2 diesel that was a 5%bio blend. Plugging it in likely wouldn't have helped execpt to make it easier to start. It wouldn't have done anything to make the fuel itself warmer.

I know there are several forums dedicated to the TDI. You may want to luck one for awhile.

[KingModem]

I drive a diesel pickup truck, and own many diesel tractors. Teens will be no problem. Northern states blend their fuel during the colder months and you may even experience a small drop in mileage because of it.

Fuel treatment is added insurance against gelling.

I've only gelled my truck once. I left it out over night when it was -15 degrees with #2 diesel that was a 5%bio blend. Plugging it in likely wouldn't have helped execpt to make it easier to start. It wouldn't have done anything to make the fuel itself warmer.

I know there are several forums dedicated to the TDI. You may want to luck one for awhile.

Showoff. My diesel gives me good excuses to work from home during extremely cold Jan/Feb days in Minnesota.