mstordahl,

The SS inserts are nice but they still allow cold air in to the engine compartment below the grill and the holes in the bumper where the Dodge winter front keeps all the cold air off the whole front of the engine compartment.

The photo below is a Dodge winter front with all 4 flaps closed off. I've found out that at temps under 14 degrees F, to only open one flap as once its warm it keeps the coolant at around 190 degrees. By keeping it at that temp I seem to get better fuel mileage then if I had 2 flaps opened and allow it heat up and cool down all of the time. I've run my truck with all 4 closed at zero degrees or colder but once I see the coolant temp run above 205 an stay there I will open a flap to cool it off to try and keep it in the 190 range. I've wondered if having the winter front on changes the Aerodynamics of the truck for better fuel mileage.

 

Cold gear and diff oil, stiffer tires, a bit more warm up time. Cold makes everything work harder.

mytoyz
As a note, you are a lot closer to sea level and thicker air. It shows in drag race times so your mileage should be better than the higher elevations.

DBLR
At first glance before I read your post, I thought "Duct tape???". Too funny!

 

Diesels are most efficient at normal operating temperature. (180-190'F I think it is). If your are doing a lot of short trips at less than full operating temperature you MPG will be less. The winter fronts and plugging in the block heater will help engine reach optimal operating temp quicker. I start plugging mine in at at night 40-45'F for that reason. Some folk put the block heater cord on a timer to turn on a few hours before driving. I just plug mine in when I get home at night and take off in the morning.

 

I would like to know the answer to this one as well. This is not my first winter with the truck and I did not have this big drop (2+) in MPG last year. My friend with a D-Max and myself were just having this conversation yesterday at work. Is this the first year for ULSD winter fuel? I cant remember if it was out last year at this time. I did switch from Lucas fuel additive to FPPF Total Power for the winter.

 

I also think this winter affected my mileage more than any previous winter with my truck. I think it is the winter blend is somehow different this year.

I would have never thought someone from Texas would ever have to plug their truck in. I park in my garage and mornings are not a problem. When my truck sits 12 hours at work and cannot be plugged in I thought I would have trouble. I have never needed to plug my truck in in almost 4 years and it has always started without any trouble. I wish I could plug it in while at work on the very cold days.

Anyone ever see a solar device that would provide enough electricity to use as a source or would I need to cover my entire bed with panels?

 

You would have to cover yor entire truck with panels ( an 18"x24" yeilds about 15 watts and your heater is 1200-1500 watts, about a hundred of them)

You should consider the deisel fuel block heaters. I don't know the name but a friend has one that siphons off of the fuel tank and keeps your engine (and cab) warm where there's no place to plug in. I think it cost him about $1200 installed so you'd have to save a pile of fuel to pay for it. If being nice to your truck is the goal it may be worth it.

I use a heated garage 99% of the time so I don't really need one.

Cya

 

Apparently, they are an Espar.

http://www.espar.com/html/products/coolantheaters.html

Cya

 

I don't NEED to plug my truck in, it has alway started immediately with no white smoke down into the 20's (yep it do get cold here in mid late January thru early February at night. If fact the forecast low for tonight is 32'F for San Antonio. Anyway, my truck LIVES outside and doesn't fit in my garage at home or most other public parking garages. Like I said before, I can get to operating temperature (and thus optimum efficiency) much faster when I can leave it plugged in (only 50' to 100'F to rise to 190'F instead of ambient temp to full 190'F), but have never had a starting issue when it wasn't plugged in. (knock on wood or suitable wood substitute).