more diffi cult to start when cold. Winter weather
can also cause issues with coolant, creating crystals
which negatively impact the cooling system,
and freeze diesel exhaust fl uid (DEF), which can
cause the engine to de-rate or cause a fault code.
Fortunately, there are ways for fl eets to avoid
these issues and keep fl uids fl owing properly
through vehicle systems.
Since 1927, fleet owners have trusted Prestone
to boost uptime by protecting engines
regardless of their heavy-duty demands. For
protection against heat, cold, and corrosion,
Prestone works!
20 Fleet Maintenance | October 2018
Fuels and fluids: Problem
Fuel gelling occurs when the paraffi n
in diesel fuel solidifi es due to a drop
in temperature. When this happens,
the solids can clog fuel lines and
fi lters, preventing fuel from being
delivered to the engine. With the
vehicle eff ectively disabled, the only
way to get back on the road is to tow
to a heated maintenance bay to thaw,
or add potentially harmful de-gelling
compounds to the fuel system.
Oils in vehicle systems don’t run
a risk of gelling like diesel fuel, but
they do thicken and become more
viscous as temperatures drop. As
mentioned earlier, this can cause the
engine to be more diffi cult to start,
drawing much more power from
the battery than would otherwise
be required. But, it can also make
lubricating the engine more diffi cult,
creating a shortage of oil in certain
portions until the engine has suffi -
ciently warmed up.
“In cold weather, the engine oil will
thicken up limiting its ability to move
through the engine quick enough to
lubricate the proper components,”
says Mark Denny, president and
CEO of Webasto Th ermo and Comfort
North America. “Th is will increase
pressure on seals and bearings, starving
the engine of vital lubrication.”
Coolant, on the other hand,
can actually form crystals, causing
issues throughout the cooling
» Fleets should use a tread depth gauge to check each
tire, and replace tires that are on the borderline or
beyond. The U.S. DOT specifies minimum legal tread
depths of 4/32” for steer tires and 2/32” for all others.
Photo courtesy of TravelCenters of America
system. According to Homer Hogg,
director of technical service at
TravelCenters of America (TA), some
engines can lose gallons of glycol in
a year, so it is not unusual to fi nd
trucks with too much water and not
enough glycol. Th is is one reason
why freeze levels must be checked
during a vehicle’s scheduled PM, and
especially before winter.
“Most coolant systems use a 50/50
mixture of antifreeze and water to cool the
engine,” Denny says. “In extreme temperatures,
coolant can produce ice crystals which cause
havoc on engine seals, leading to system leaks
and debris in the cooling system.”
Fuels and fluids: Solution
When it comes to fuel gelling, the best solution
is prevention. Fleets should use proper additives
with every fi ll-up during months when the weather
has a potential to turn cold. Gerry Mead, executive
director of innovation at Phillips Industries,
recommends northern fl eets use fuel additives
beginning in October and ending in May.
“Use of appropriate additives with each fuel
load throughout the winter can help prevent
most fuel-related problems in diesel-powered
vehicles,” says Greg Mixon, director of heavy
duty sales at Penray.
He adds that cold weather additives such as
those made by Penray are formulated to prevent
the problem of fuel gelling, and they can also
clean the fuel system, prevent wax and ice crystal
formation, reduce the cold fi lter plug point
by as much as 30 degrees F and enhance cetane
and lubricity.
When it comes to oils, coolant and DEF, the only
real option to resolve extreme cold weather problems
is to pre-heat the engine. Th is can be done
using auxiliary products such as a coolant heater.
“Coolant heaters are integrated with the vehicle’s
coolant system to provide heat to the engine
while the engine is off ,” Denny says. “In certain
applications, a Webasto heater can be used to
warm auxiliary hydraulic tanks, fuel tanks or
temperature-sensitive cargo fl uid.”
Th is all leads to reduced idling, reduced fuel
consumption, reduced engine wear and maintenance
and reduced exhaust system wear. Plus,
a pre-heated engine is easier to start, draws less
power from the battery and provides a comfortable
cab temperature to the driver more quickly.
BOOST UPTIME.
EVERY TIME.
www.PrestoneCommand.com
VehicleServicePros.com/10119505
Cold weather additives
are formulated to prevent
the problem of fuel gelling.
/www.PrestoneCommand.com
/10119505