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although not truly colder than the temperature can make the fuel and engine lose residual heat faster than a normal cold night. A small plastic tarp stapled between poles makes a good windbreak. If nothing else, park with the hood facing away from the direction the wind blows or tuck an old blanket under the hood to hang down and block the radiator.

Most diesel vehicles have a block heater installed. Plug it in as soon as you park it before the engine block has a chance to cool off. There are various types of block heaters but most work to keep the engine oil warm so it will turn over easier. This gives your battery an even better chance to turn that cold engine over so it will ignite the diesel fuel in the morning.

When starting in the morning, make sure to unplug the block heater before trying to start the vehicle. Many built-in block heaters are wired into the vehicle's electrical system and the starting jolt may burn them out. Then, when you get into the driver's seat, turn the key to on' but don't try to start the car until the glow plug light goes off. After a couple of minutes, your vehicle should be ready to crank over. Ninety-nine times out of a hundred, it will start with no problem, if you've done your preparation work correctly. If the battery sounds particularly sluggish, try turning the headlights on for just a couple of minutes: the movement of current through the battery warms the battery slightly-often enough to increase cranking power. Then give it a little-I said LITTLE-fuel and let it fire up.

If, on the odd chance it doesn't start and you can wait, let the weather warm a few degrees and you may be able to start it when the sun gets a little warmer. If you absolutely MUST start it, spray a couple of SHORT bursts of starting fluid into the air intake and try it immediately. The starting fluid will ignite, warming the engine enough to get the fuel flowing. DO NOT OVERDO THIS! This can damage an engine.

Diesel engines actually work quite well, even in cold weather, if they are properly maintained and the operator knows what they're doing. Diesel fuel doesn't actually gel until the temperature is well below zero, although it may get a bit too thick to flow easily through lines. The winter blend keeps the fuel from thickening. Gelled diesel can only be re-liquefied by getting the vehicle into a heated building. Modern vehicle manufacturers have engineered easier starting into their vehicles as a sales point. You needn't fear buying a modern diesel vehicle because of winter starting problems: I've started hundreds of tractor-trailers at minus 10 degrees without a service call using these techniques.

Learn more about this author, Linda Sunkle-Pierucki.
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