if that is your concern warm the truck up before going
block heater is your solution in the winter“I hate to say it, but I don't think diesel's right for this guy,” says Volkswagen Canada spokesman Thomas Tetzlaff. “They're quiet, they have great acceleration and extremely good fuel efficiency. But they’re really not designed to be driven just five kilometres a day.”
Diesel engines don't use spark plugs to ignite the fuel, like gasoline engines do. In a diesel engine, fuel is injected into the cylinders at such high pressure that the air in the cylinders heats up and the fuel ignites. In modern cars, this takes a second or two after turning the key.
Tetzlaff says diesel engines generally need to warm up a bit after starting to get to their ideal operating temperature – when they're most fuel-efficient – especially in the colder months.
“In a span of five kilometres, they're not even going to be remotely warm yet,” he says. “A diesel does great in the city. It's not so much the stop-and-go driving that's the problem for this driver. It's just the really short distances each day.
what are we talking as significant here? And is it consistently significant?I was even considering using the block heater in warmer months to expedite warm up. I see a significant increase in MPG according to the truck's computer when it is warm vs. cold.
not bad at all then, good to know that especially since you've been doing this for 10 years which says a lot.Drive it like any other gas, car or truck....... These new Diesels aren't like the old Diesels. My 03 Cummins I drive 4 miles to work and 4 miles home every day, and drive it just like any gas truck. I've been driving it every day for the last ten years, 0 problems.. The only time I let it warm up is when it's below 25 deg, or so.
well there ya goDrive it like any other gas, car or truck....... These new Diesels aren't like the old Diesels. My 03 Cummins I drive 4 miles to work and 4 miles home every day, and drive it just like any gas truck. I've been driving it every day for the last ten years, 0 problems.. The only time I let it warm up is when it's below 25 deg, or so.