Sorry if that last post came across aggressive
The Newborn Sleep Pattern that I've acquired over the past week has me a bit grouchy first thing in the morning Didnt mean to be so rude.
It's more important that most folks realize to do atleast a yearly battery load test. Maint. Free batteries are currently running a life span of 3 to 5 years and without proper maint., starting procedures and the addition of improperly wired accessories (or properly wired for that matter) most batteries are lasting 2 to 3 years.
Another big mistake I see often here is customers letting their battery set with a draw or a Low CCA number in freezing temps. Let that sucker freeze and you've just shortened your battery life... heck probably even ruined the battery.

 

i was trying to save a lil money by driving the car instead of the truck. forgot i left the XM on in the truck for a week without runnin it and killed it, i know i didnt do it any favors but i live in SD with tons of freezing temps. hook the nissan to it and jump it . but i know what youre gettin at. it happens

 

We had a tech hook an old manual style charger to a frozen battery about 3 years ago and walk away.....I'll just say it didnt turn out to good!
Years ago i wired my accessories up to the closest hot wire, now I run in additional panels or will find a key on hot. We've all done it though....gotta learn some how!

 

i live in north dakota so don't tell me about cold temps hahaha

 

I saw your temps this winter....I think I'll stay in the southern states!
I dont see how you guys handle that, -15 windchill and im froze!
I've always been curious, how does the cold affect the fuel in your area? Are the pump blends sufficient to prevent gelling or waxing or are additives a must?

 

Our fuel is blended up here. I always run an additive myself.

 

I always try to make sure customers run some type of additive in the winter here just in case. We also have blended pump fuel here but it seems as if results are mixed, or just luck of the draw. Most of the problems we see here are not all out gelled cases it's more of the waxed up fuel filter syndrome. IMO you could buy a qt of fuel from every store in town around here, put it in the freezer and get different results in half of them . I'm not sure if it's in regards to the quantity that the store sells or if it's the supplier.

 

most of the time i run straight number one fuel with a fuel additive for lubrication. they sell a 50/50 blend but its probably only good to about -5 so i just run straight one the block heaters definatly get a workout i run an oil pan heater to help warm the oil to.

 

Are you running the magnetic oil pan heater? We've had -5 temps but not for sustained times. We actually see more freezing issues with gas burners.

 

its the same way here in south dakota. ive had blasting winds cause the truck to act up some. try to run straight when i can. even toyed with the thot of creating a fuel filter heater like they do on the large river boat pumps.