Winter Diesel Care: Cold Mornings Don’t Have to Mean Trouble
If you run a diesel, you already know winter isn’t its favorite season. Cold mornings, hard starts, gelling fuel, frozen filters—it’s all part of the deal if you’re not prepared. But with a little know-how and some solid maintenance, your diesel can handle winter just fine.
Here at B&R Repair, we work on plenty of Power Strokes, Duramaxes, and Cummins trucks—as well as semis and farm diesels. We know what to look for and what to do to keep them starting, running, and pulling their weight all winter long.
Here’s what we recommend to keep your diesel running strong when the thermometer drops.
❄️ 1. Use a Winter-Grade Diesel Fuel (and Add Anti-Gel)
Diesel fuel can gel up when it gets cold—turning into a waxy mess that clogs your filters and leaves you stranded.
Always run a winter blend once temps dip below freezing (your fuel supplier should have it)
Add a diesel anti-gel additive to every fill-up—especially if your truck sits overnight
Keep a bottle of 911 fuel treatment in the truck just in case things do gel up
🔋 2. Check Your Batteries—Twice
Cold cranking amps matter, and diesels usually have two batteries. If one is weak, you’ll feel it on a cold start.
Have both batteries tested and load-checked
Clean the terminals and make sure all connections are tight
If they’re more than 4–5 years old, consider replacing them before they leave you stranded
Diesels need all the juice they can get to fire off in the cold.
🔥 3. Make Sure Your Glow Plugs or Grid Heater Are Working
If your truck takes forever to start or smokes like crazy on cold mornings, your glow plugs (or grid heater on Cummins engines) might not be doing their job.
Watch for the wait-to-start light—if it never comes on or stays on too long, there may be a problem
Have us test the system to make sure it’s heating properly
A faulty relay or plug can make a big difference in cold weather starting
🛢️ 4. Change the Fuel Filters and Water Separator
Winter is not the time to gamble on dirty or half-clogged fuel filters.
Change your fuel filters regularly, especially if you’re running farm fuel or older tanks
Drain your water separator—moisture in the fuel system is a recipe for winter problems
Keep a spare filter in the truck in case you have to swap one out in the field
We can swap your filters quick and make sure you’re ready for the cold.
🔧 5. Block Heaters, Oil, and Other Cold-Weather Details
Plug in your block heater on nights below 20°F—just a few hours before you fire it up is all it takes
Make sure your engine oil is rated for cold weather—a 15W-40 might be fine most of the year, but you may want a synthetic or lower-viscosity oil if it’s regularly bitter cold
Check your coolant and thermostat—a weak heater might mean more than just cold fingers
✅ Let Us Help You Winter-Proof Your Diesel
At B&R Repair, we’ve seen every winter diesel issue in the book—and we’ve fixed 'em all. Whether you’re hauling hay, pulling trailers, or commuting in your one-ton, we’ll help you keep it dependable no matter how cold it gets.
Here’s what we offer:
Winter diesel inspections
Battery testing & replacement
Fuel filter and additive services
Glow plug/grid heater diagnostics
Oil changes with cold-weather rated oil
Electrical and heater checks
Block heater install or testing
📍 Cold Weather's Coming—Get Ahead of It
Don’t wait until you’re sitting in a cold truck that won’t fire. Bring your diesel by B&R Repair in rural Princeton and we’ll help you get it squared away before winter really sets in.
📞 Call us at (815) 699-2641 or stop by anytime, we’re just a short drive from Princeton, a mile off the Wyanet-Walnut blacktop, right between Walnut and Wyanet.
Proudly keeping the diesels of Bureau County running strong—no matter the season.