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Recommended engine warm-up procedure must be followed. Refer to the engine Operation and Maintenance Manual. Also refer to the relevant “Lubricant Viscosities for Ambient Temperatures” table in this Special Publication. |
For easier cold weather starting, ensure that all of the components of the engine electrical system are properly maintained. All electrical wiring and connections should be free of the following: fraying, damaged insulation and corrosion. Batteries should be kept fully charged and warm. The batteries and the battery cables must be sized properly for the application.
Various starting aids are available in order to assist with cold engine starts in low temperature conditions. Follow the recommendations that are provided by the manufacturer of the starting aid. Refer to the foreword section of this Special Publication, "Aftermarket Products and Warranty".
For additional information concerning cold-weather operation, refer to this Special Publication, "Fuel Specifications" section. Also refer to this Special Publication, "Cooling System Specifications" section.
Before attempting to start the engine, ensure that the oil in the engine is fluid enough to flow. Check the oil by removing the dipstick. If the oil will drip from the dipstick, then the oil should be fluid enough to allow the engine to start. Do not use oil that has been diluted with kerosene. Kerosene will evaporate in the engine. and cause the oil to thicken. Kerosene will cause swelling and softening of the silicone seals. Kerosene will dilute the oil additives. Dilution of the oil additives will reduce the performance, and reduce the engine protection that the additives provide.
If the viscosity of the oil is changed for colder weather, also change the filter element. If the filter is not changed, the filter element and the filter housing can become a solid mass. After you change the oil, operate the engine in order to circulate the thinner oil.
Note: Use the highest oil viscosity grade that is allowed for the ambient temperature when you start the engine. If a different oil viscosity grade is specified in the table, use the viscosity grade that is specified in the table. In arctic applications, the preferred method of lubrication is to use a properly sized engine compartment heater and a higher viscosity grade oil. Refer to the “Lubricant Viscosities” article in this Special Publication for further details.
Note: Cold-soaked starts occur when the engine has not been operated for a time. The oil will become more viscous due to cooler ambient temperatures. Supplemental heat is recommended for cold-soaked starts that are below the minimum ambient temperatures listed in the “Lubricant Viscosities for Ambient Temperatures” tables. Supplemental heat may be required for cold-soaked starts that are above the minimum temperature that is stated, depending on the parasitic load and other factors.
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Engines that use fluid or pan heaters, or heated enclosures, or are kept running under load, etc. can, and generally should use higher viscosity oil. The “Lubricant Viscosities for Ambient Temperatures” tables (Maintenance Section) “Minimum” viscosity for ambient temperature recommendations are for cold-soaked conditions. Use the highest viscosity oil that is allowed for the ambient temperature when you start the machine BUT, under Continuous Usage (Multiple Shifts/Day), and/or when using fluid or pan heaters, etc., use a higher viscosity oil, NOT the oil with the minumum recommended viscosity for cold-soaked starting conditions. The higher viscosity oil will maintain the highest possible oil film thickness. Refer to the “Lubricant Viscosities for Ambient Temperatures” tables and the table footnotes for exceptions. |
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If ambient conditions warrant, a higher viscosity oil of the recommended specification for a given compartment may need to be installed in order to provide adequate film thickness. |