Duramax Diesel Engine Production Halted for the Rest of 2021

Photo courtesy GM Authority

It's been a rough year for automakers, but especially for GM. Semiconductor shortages have hit all of the Big 3 automakers, causing production disruptions. GM seems to had more than its share of woes. 

In August we wrote about how strong the demand has been for diesel trucks, though at the end of this article we referenced a temporary halt to production that was announced. That ominous warning evolved quickly to a more serious concern, as GM was forced to change its tune. The temporary parts shortage will impact the engine more than initially expected. The temporary parts shortage would have a bigger impact on the engine than initially expected.

Last week news broke that production had been halted for the rest of the year on its 3.0L LM2 GM Duramax diesel engine. The article does not explain where the derailment took place. Rather it takes advantage of the bad news to remind us of its features and applications.

The LM2 Duramax diesel is assembled in Flint, Michigan. It has been one of the options for their full-size half-ton pickups and full-size SUVs. These would include the Chevy Silverado 1500, GMC Sierra 1500, Chevy Tahoe, Chevy Suburban, GMC Yukon and Cadillac Escalade.

If you ever attend the SEMA Show in Las Vegas, you'll find that GM is not only proud of its cars but also of its engines. The engines are set on pedestals in the massive booth  that historically sprawls in the center of the main hall. They're impressive.

According to the story in GM Authority, "The LM2 engine features a straight six configuration with a DOHC valvetrain, 84mm bore, and 90mm stroke, with a 15.0:1 compression ratio. The block and heads are made of aluminum, with a forged steel crankshaft and forged rods. The pistons are made from hypereutectic cast aluminum alloy, while the cylinder liners are made from iron."

The halting of Duramax diesel engine production wasn't GM's first black eye this year. In July GM announced a recall for 410,019 trucks due to faulty roof rail airbags. The problem was related to moisture issues that might cause the inflator end cap to detach from the inflator, or cause the inflator to rupture. The 2015-2016 Chevy Silverado 1500 and Chevy Silverado HD, as well as the 2015-2016 GMC Sierra 1500 and GMC Sierra HD were the model years impacted. 

All this safety equipment can be a blessing when you need it. For manufacturers dependent on suppliers, it's just one more thing that can go wrong. In addition to an army of laborers, they are required to have a battalion of lawyers as well.

You will find the full story here.

Enjoy the holiday. We'll be back tomorrow.

A Tribute to Diesel Farm Trucks and Their Kin

Photo by Matt Palmer on Unsplash

Here's an interesting article about Farm Trucks that was originally published in the Idaho edition of Ag Proud. The article by Allen Schaeffer, Executive Director of the Diesel Technology Forum is packed with information about this very specific application of diesel technology. The DTF is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to raising awareness about the importance of diesel engines, fuel and technology. The article is titled simply "What is a farm truck?"

Now you'd think everyone would know this, but when you read a little further you'll see that nothing is really as simple as it seems, especially when you get into legal matters and governmental explanations. 

Wikipedia describes a farm truck as "a vehicle designated for agricultural use, and may include anything from small pickup truck or even vehicles fashioned out of old parts, to class 8 eighteen-wheeler trucks."

Mr. Schaeffer's definition is more detailed: "According to the U.S. DOT Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA)a farm vehicle is one that is: registered in a state with a license plate that identifies it as a farm vehicle … transporting agricultural products, livestock, farm machinery or supplies to or from a farm, and is not used in for-hire motor carrier operations."

The next sentence amplifies the initial definition. "Some states in the United States have a special registration for farm trucks that includes restrictions such as distance the vehicle may travel from the farm." This is where it gets complicated because some states have restrictions that others do not. There are also licensing issues. That is, certain vehicles require a Commercial Drivers License (CDL) in some situations and in others you do not.

In 1900, when the nation was 60 per cent rural, trucks didn't exist yet. Horses did all the grunt work of bringing produce to market. Today, all the horsepower come from under the hood. 

"The most iconic farm truck of course is the pickup truck: half-ton, full-size, extended bed, crew cab, dually, fifth wheel – the list of options and configurations is near endless," he writes. And for the past few decades the Ford F-150 has been the leader of the pack.

Just how much of a leader Ford has been was revealed in a Great American Truck Survey involved 2000 truck owners. Here are some facts that you'll enjoy if you are a loyal Ford fan.

--More than 3,000 TV shows mention Ford trucks.
--Over 180 songs also mention Ford trucks.
--79% said they would give up alcohol for an entire year rather than give up their truck.
--15% have tattoos that reference a truck or their favorite brand.

Photo by LC Rebelo on Unsplash

Farm trucks usually arrive on the farm after undergoing wear and tear by a previous owner or two. Because these vehicles are used seasonally, they often don't accumulate as many miles as daily drivers. Schaeffer spends time explaining that despite limited season use farm trucks still require maintenance. Brakes, filters, fuel systems all need attention. The importance of fuel stabilizers and cold-weather additives can't be ignored either.

The article goes into detail regarding the tendency to overload trailers and truck beds when bringing in the sheaves, or whatever else you're harvesting. Be careful. Old equipment can suffer in those situations. A groaning engine is one thing, breaking a belt is much bigger issue. Having a tire go flat while carrying a heavy load across the middle of nowhere is something you just don't want to do. In fact, the author experienced that situation himself once. It wouldn't surprise me to learn that he's been warning farmers ever since, as he did here.

Diesel enthusiasts, he notes, received some uplifting news entering the 2021 season. It is the first year that all of the big three manufacturers offered a diesel engine option on all full-size pickup trucks. Pickups are today's workhorses for farmers, no question about it.

His closing statement shows how much the author is a real truck guy. "The FT/farm truck designation has real meaning – both to those behind the wheel and those in the motor vehicle enforcement world. But one thing is for sure, we all love (and need) our trucks, farm or otherwise." 

Read the full story here: 
https://www.dieselforum.org/files/dmfile/what-is-a-farm-truck-0721ap.pdf 

Is Toyota Preparing to Bring a Hybrid Diesel to America?

Yesterday we wrote about some of the new technology created to reduce or eliminate emissions on diesel trucks. In today's story we'll discuss another innovation that 50 years ago would probably never been imagined--a hybrid diesel truck.

The first story that caught my eye was this one at Gear Junkie titled, US Hilux? Toyota Poised to Launch Diesel Trucks in America. It's actually two stories rolled into one. The first story has to do with buzz generated by a new patent application that had been filed by the Japanese manufacturer, Patent No. US2020020860 for a new kind of internal combustion engine. (Did you know that the U.S. Patent Office considered closing at the turn of the last century? They believed so many inventions had been patented there couldn't possibly be anything new.)

The story doesn't end there. Rumor has it, according to Gear Junkie, that Toyota may be eliminating the Diesel Particulate Filter and Diesel Exhaust Fluid with an alternate to glow plugs and a re-designed injection nozzle.  

That's not all. The Toyota Tacoma has a cousin called the Hilux. Of the Hilux author Sam Anderson writes: "The 2022 Toyota Hilux has a 2.8L 1GD-FTV I-4 turbodiesel with 174 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of torque. The turbodiesel impresses in the crawl: Full torque is available as low as 1,200 RPM. Alternatively, a small-displacement 2.4L engine provides 148 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque."

In short, Toyota engineers have talent. But their marketers are equally sharp. Their response to the increasingly stringent environmental demands on cars and trucks is to deliver a hybrid truck. That's right. The hybrid Hilux will purportedly produce 200 hp and 350 pound-feet of torque.

Anderson admits some of this is rumor, but Toyota has been shifting gears for a while and it's not impossible to connect dots on where they are going. The company announced last year that they were phasing our their V8 engines.

Anderson examines various scenarios that might play out with regard to Toyota's various truck brands, the Tacoma, Tundra and Land Cruiser, though in the end he states that it is impossible from this vantage point to know what Toyota's coming truck lineup will look like.

More About Hybrids
Interestingly enough, two additional stories about hybrid diesels crossed the wire today. One has to do with the development of a hybrid tractor trailer in Canada. The other was published in at a popular investment site, The Motley Fool

Chelsey St.Pierre's article in The Suburban is titled "Scarpallegia announces investment in Pointe-Claire hybrid tractor-trailer project." Francis Scarpallegia is a member of Canada's Parliament who spoke on behalf of the Minister of Natural Resources announcing a $1.7 million investment in FPInnovations to develop and demonstrate a hybrid diesel-electric forestry truck.

There's a certain logic to all this. If you are entirely EV and get stuck in the North Woods with your power drained, what are your options? But if you have a hybrid, you will be far more self-sufficient and less worried about the low juice reading on your battery. 

The real driver, of course, is reduced emissions. Fuel savings are also significant if this project comes to fruition. You can read more about what FPInnovations is doing here.

The last story is titled, "Hyliion: We're On Track to Launch Next Year, No Additional Cash Needed." Hyliion is a truck drivetrain company that is preparing to ship a hybrid-semi system later this year. The Texas-based publicly traded company is getting ready to supply lower-emissions drivetrains that can be fitted onto heavy duty trucks by the six leading global truck manufacturers, familiar names to Blue Flame blog readers.

The MF article focuses on the company as an investment, but provides some keen insights as regards the EV revolution. This intermediary period of hybrid diesel-EV trucks is happening in nearly every truck category, from personal rides to heavy duty workhorses. Here's where you can find the rest of this story from the Motley Fool.

These are certainly interesting times. Stay current with diesel developments, by subscribing to our email feed. We'll do our best to keep you up-to-date on all things diesel as they happen.

Read the full Gear Junkie Toyota Story here.
https://gearjunkie.com/news/toyota-hilux-tacoma-diesel-hybrid-trucks-usa

Shopping for a Used Diesel Truck? Here's the Best and the Worst

Dodge W250 (1991½-1993) --This is a Winner, if you can find one.

In April, Autowise.com published their recommendations as regards the best and worst diesel trucks to consider when buying used. These kinds of lists are always fun to review, just to see if the author's views are in alignment with your own.

Personally, I think choosing the best is a more difficult task than identifying the worst. We may have built in biases regarding which features are of greater value to us personally. As we've written about before, it depends a lot on what you're using your truck for.

On the other hand, picking the worst is much easier. Why? Because the bad trucks, like those selected by Riley, the author of this piece, have a reputation. We're not talking about "Friday trucks" or "Monday trucks" where assembly workers are distracted or foggy. We're talking about bad engineering. 

The one positive about some problems is that it gives aftermarket engineers an opportunity to create fixes for some of these mistakes. Not all design flaws are that easy to resolve however. Which leads to our story.

The title of the piece is 8 Best Diesel Trucks You Can Buy & 4 of the Worst. 

The article begins with the basic reasons why people buy diesel trucks. First, they're workhorses. If you're towing a boat, ATVs, a camper trailer or hauling bricks, you know the importance of having equipment that's up for the task. 

Riley's concise description of the benefits of diesel is worth memorizing. Diesel engines "get better fuel economy, are often easy to modify with aftermarket parts, and, when properly maintained, will basically run forever. This makes them a great deal if you are looking for a used truck." 

All this is a plus for diesels, but there's a minus, too. A well maintained, low-mileage vehicle can cost a pretty penny. That's OK with some of the best trucks, and totally not OK if you select a clunker.

That is why this article was written, to help us avoid purchasing a truck that has little more value than a lawn ornament. 

The Autowise article begins with the 8 champion selections, then flashes warning signs regarding the losers. I will discuss the worst first, and list the 8 trucks they have labelled "the best." 

THE WORST

Here are the four diesel trucks that this article recommends you avoid. Sadly, these  trucks that have helped give diesel a bad name in some circles. 

Chevy & GMC C/K 5.7L (1978-1981)

Older folk are familiar with the Oldsmobile debacle in which GM dropped a 5.7L diesel engine into an Olds. It went down in history as one very bad decision. Ironically, GM took this same engine and decided maybe it would work in a pickup. Two wrongs don't make a right. One problem was that this particular engine was a gas 5.7L converted into a diesel. There were other problems as well, Riley writes. Ultimately, the only thing going for this truck is the vintage look. Buyer beware.

Chevy & GMC C/K 6.2L (1982-1993)

GM learned some lessons by this point in time and decided to exit the diesel engine building business. They turned to a neighbor, Detroit Diesel, to undertake this task. Unfortunately, what they delivered was a 6.2L engine that looked like it should have power because of its size. Such was not the case. The 130 horsepower it delivered is only 40 hp more than today's Smart Car. The other problem this engine had was a tendency to leak oil from the rear main seal. Not good. To fix this issue required removing the tranny, and you can be sure that was neither easy nor cheap.

Chevy & GMC C/K 6.5L (1994-2001)

You'd think by '94 GM would have this diesel business figured out, but no. The turbocharged Detroit-built 6.5L had a new set of problems. It was also behind the curve with regards to its indirect injection and couldn't compete with the Cummins and Powerstroke engines of the same time period, engines with 50% more power. Add to this the mechanical issues and your best best is to avoid them altogether. Riley says, "Get a Duramax."

Ford Super Duty 6.0L Turbo(2003-2007)

The article tags this engine as "by far the worst modern diesel engine." The engine was so bad that there were legal battles between Ford and Navistar (the parent company of the Powerstroke.) The list of problems this engine had includes head gasket issues and catastrophic fuel system failures. To make matter worse, to do some of these repairs required removing the cab in order to access the parts. Yikes. Riley recommends avoiding this one as well and find a 7.3L Powerstroke. You will be much happier.

THE 8 BEST DIESEL TRUCKS YOU CAN BUY 

If you're brand loyal, there's something for everyone here. You can read about each of these at Autowise. If you have different opinions here, feel free to leave a comment. 

Chevy/GMC 2500 & 3500 (2006-2007)

Dodge Ram HD (2003-2004)

Ford F-250/F-350 (2008-2010)

Dodge Ram 1500 (2014)

Chevy Silverado HD (2012)

Dodge W250 (1991½-1993)

Ford Super Duty (1999½-2000)

Dodge Ram 2500HD (2010)

Source: https://autowise.com/best-diesel-truck/

Nearly Half of All Commercial Trucks Now Powered by Clean Diesel Technology with Near Zero Emissions

Photo by Rhys Moult on Unsplash

Yesterday the Diesel Technology Forum released information from a new study with impressive new numbers regarding the adoption of advanced diesel technology. Nearly half (49%) of all commercial diesel trucks on the road today utilize the newest diesel engine technology, eliminating 202 million metric tons of CO2, 27 million metric tons of NOx ad 1.6 million metric tons of PM. All this has been achieved while simultaneously saving almost 20 billion gallons of diesel and 296 million barrels of crude. 

Right now 23 states exceed this average and Indiana leads the pack with 67% of its commercial trucks being 2011 or newer. 

To fully appreciate how significant these numbers are, consider this. The quantity of emissions and fuel savings is equivalent to replacing 43 million cars with EVs or creating a 210,000 acre wind farm (roughly 5 times the size of Washington D.C.).

How many Americans are aware of how much progress has been made in reducing toxic discharge? Throughout the coming decade we will see even greater environmental gains.

"Results from the newest technology diesel vehicles are growing in the form of cleaner air and fewer greenhouse gases in communities around the country," said Allen Schaeffer, Executive Director of the Diesel Technology Forum. For those unfamiliar, the DTF is a not-for-profit association that represents leaders in diesel engines, equipment and fuels.

The primary reason all this is important is that diesel-powered commercial carriers are the primary, and favored, way of transporting goods across our ribbons of highway. Reliability, durability, low-cost acquisition and operation, high-value resale and flexibility head the list of reasons diesel-powered trucks are dominant. With the incremental improvements to achieve zero emissions and energy-efficient performance, diesel's contributions to our nation's economic growth are significant and unheralded.

Diesel Technology Forum continues to do important work as advocates on behalf of diesel. We're exceedingly appreciative of their lobbying efforts and all the numbers crunching they do to assemble this kind of encouraging information for the diesel community. 

The full article is a five minute read. You can check it out here.

Five Questions To Help You Decide Which Diesel Oil To Use

If you're confused when it comes to choosing the right engine oil for your truck, don't be alarmed. You're not alone. 

Sometimes it seems like everything is more complicated than it used to be. When was the last time you looked at the toothpaste options at Walgreens. Seems like it's a half mile long with every kind of whitener, plaque remover, gum treatment, breath freshener, ad nauseam. 

In the lubrication world, the various terms may be different, but the level of confusion remains the same. Viscosity control? Shear stability? TBN retention? 

When all is said and done, the best place to begin your oil selection search is to consider your application. Are tractor pulling or drag racing? Is the application stationary, street, or off-road? Here are five basic questions to help direct you to the right solution.

What are your engine oil specifications? 

It’s important to follow what your original equipment manufacturer recommends. Reading your owner’s manual is the key to maximizing your equipment’s performance. Your manual contains vital API information about caring for your engine, including which oil grades are best suited for them. For example: SAE 15W-40, 10W-30, 5W-40 oil? Mineral, semi, or full synthetic base stock needs to be considered.

How important is fuel economy? 

If you’re keeping an eye on your miles per gallon, the right lubricant can help your equipment achieve its maximum fuel efficiency. By squeezing a few extra miles from each tank, you can see major savings over time. A semi or full-synthetic diesel engine oil is your best option to deliver maximum fuel efficiency without compromising engine performance. It can improve fuel economy by up to 2 percent under normal conditions and by up to 3 percent during cold starts.

Does your diesel engine run in a range of temperatures? 

Speaking of cold starts, temperature is another important consideration when choosing an engine oil. Extreme temperatures, whether hot or cold, can be brutal on moving parts in your equipment. Heat can quickly turn an engine into an oven, and the cold can thicken some oils until they’re practically jelly.

How old is your diesel engine? 

Most diesel owners want to stretch the life of their engine as long as possible. To perform their best, older diesel engines require attentive care, and a quality lubricant can go a long way toward maintaining them. For example, is your diesel not running a DPF? Rebuilt for performance? Out of warranty?

Are looking for more horse power or torque? 

Be sure to look at the oil’s data or spec sheet to see if it addresses increased performance, high in anti-wear protection, etc. Look for semi and full synthetic diesel engine oils that use shear stable synthetic base oils. That are also high in film strength, have viscosity control, work with high compression, have a higher TBN retention, and if needed, designed to address demands of turbo or super-charged diesel engines.

I hope this has helped a little in your decision. Need a place to start? Take a look at these eight diesel engine oils: https://www.championbrands.com/diesel-engine-oils/ And if you're still confused, Ask Jake.

Champion Creates Professional Grade Poly-7 Red Grease for Diesel Trucks

Not all grease is created equal. Here's an excellent new grease from Champion Brands, Poly 7 Red.

(Clinton, MO. 04.01.21) For over six decades Champion Brands, a blender of packaged motor oils, gear lubes, brake fluids, and other specialty diesel and automotive chemicals, has recently announced a Professional Grade Poly-7 Red Grease for driveshafts, tie rod ends, fittings, U-joints, kingpins, drag link, spring pins, spring shackles, slack adjusters, etc. in diesel street, off-road, and racing applications.

Champion Poly-7 Red Grease, Part #4053T/40- 14 oz., is red in color, a NLGI #2 classification, tacky, multi-purpose, and high temperature grease that incorporates polymer and premium additive technologies, hydro-treated base oils, calcium sulfonate, and a lithium complex thickening system. Its unique chemistry prevents melting and breakdown of the grease at temperatures over 500°F.

 

These additive and polymer technologies ensure for the racer maximum lubricity, adhesion, resistance to water wash-out, and defiance to sling-off. Strong tackiness additives keep this grease in place under high pitch line speeds, and provide ease of application. It is engineered with extreme-pressure anti-wear additives to deliver excellent protection in heavily loaded diesel applications, ensuring long component life.  
https://www.championbrands.com/poly-7-red-nlgi-2-high-temp-super-tacky-grease/

 

Poly-7 Red contains a premium combination of additives that provide excellent resistance to oxidation, rust and corrosion. Extreme-pressure chemistry and polymer technology work together to ensure reduced wear, especially under extreme shock loads, and protects against scuffing, spalling, fretting, and pitting of bearings, gears, and bushings.

 

The high base oil viscosity index improves pumpability while offering higher protection at high racing operating temperatures, while lithium complex thickening provides top tier run-out resistance at heightened operating temperatures. Its superior friction-reduction properties help ensure diesel street, off-road, and racing type vehicles operate at peak performance.

 

About the company: Champion Brands, LLC, is a globally recognized industry leader in specialty lubricants for over 65 years. Champion   produces and blends over 350 products including fuel, oil, engine additives, and lubricants for the automotive, racing, heavy truck, agricultural, industrial, and specialty markets. For more information about Champion Racing & Performance Lubricants contact your nearest Champion distributor, or call Champion at 660-890-06231. Champion Brands, LLC; 1001 Golden Drive, Clinton, MO, or go to  http://www.championbrands.com

 

Flashback Friday: Seven Tips to Improve Diesel Truck Performance

They say you can never have too much of a good thing. I believe this applies to advice as much as anything else, as long as it's good advice. There's value in being committed to lifelong learning, and value in re-visiting lessons learned. 

While looking for something else I found this article at the Revolution Motors blog, simply titled, How To Improve Diesel Truck Performance.  The title is straightforward. It's not fancy-schmancy clickbait. No references to celebrities. No sizzle-words like "awesome" or "stunning" or "dazzling." It's a "Just the facts, m'am" type of article, with solid fundamental reminders.

Revolution Motors is a diesel performance shop in Edmonton, Canada. Here's their list of recommendations to keep your diesel in tiptop shape.

1. Use Diesel Fuel Additives

One key to smooth, efficient performance is to make sure your injectors are clean. Diesel fuel injection cleaners are fairly essential to longer service life from your engine. There are other fuel additives that serve specific purposes as well including deposit modifiers, corrosion inhibitors, freeze depressants and more.

Two fuel additives from Champion Brands that you may be unaware of are Diesel Flo Fuel Conditioner and Power Plus Diesel Fuel Additive with Cetane.  The latter will not only remove deposits but also reduce emissions, provide corrosion protection, increase cetane and improve power, a multi-functional diesel additive for today's high-pressure common-rail injectors and modern diesel fuels.

2. Consider Diesel Programmers

Programmers, also called tuners, are easy to install, cost-effective and greatly improve fuel economy. There are a various types of tuners that will help manage your engine's performance. Some, like EFI Live tuners, enable custom tuning. 

3. Install Performance Air Filters and Cold Air Intakes

The power is generated by pressure and heat applied to the air-fuel mixture. This step is about improving airflow by means of aftermarket filters and cold air intake kits. You want max airflow while effectively removing contaminants. More air results in more power but you can't do this by removing your filters because 90% of the debris that gets into the engine comes in through the air. You want a filter that captures the contaminants while letting the air flow unimpeded.

4. Upgrade the Exhaust System

Whenever you read articles about the top three or top five things to upgrade on you diesel truck, they nearly always include this tip. The exhaust system plays a major role in diesel performance. It's not just a pretty pipe. This is one area where bigger is better. The more horsepower you have, the more exhaust that needs to be expelled. 5. 

5. Upgrade Diesel Fuel Injectors

Another way to get more power and improve fuel efficiency is to upgrade to performance fuel injectors. Some fuel injector modifications claim increased diesel power by 50 or even 100 hp, assuming you have it adjusted correctly. The key is in the hole pattern, which designed to give optimal fuel delivery.

6. Install a Turbocharger

This is another frequently cited performance upgrade, an excellent investment for increased power. According to Revolution Motors it's "especially useful if you use your diesel for towing and hauling heavy loads." A turbo forces more air into your diesel's combustion chamber. More oxygen equals more power.

7. Schedule Regular Diesel Tune Ups

Getting your initial setup right is invaluable. Just as pianos get out of tune over time, so does an engine. Developing a routine maintenance regimen is one key to a long, healthy life for your diesel engine. That's one of the great advantages that diesels provide, durability. But optimal performance isn't automatic. If you take care of your engine, it will take care of you.

* * * 

Read the full article here: How to Improve Diesel Performance

* * *

What do YOU consider the most important upgrade for better performance?

Leave a comment. We'd like to hear from you.

Getting Your Diesel Truck Ready for Winter

Photo courtesy Chevrolet

It's Black Friday. It's nice to have a long weekend to get our vehicles ready for winter. What follows are a few areas to focus on, extracted from an article by Whitney Russell that I saw this week at The NewsWheel.

1) The Battery
As you head into winter you may wish to test your battery to see if it is ready for Jack Frost. According to NAPA auto parts, battery strength is reduced by 35% at 32 degrees and 60% at zero. The time to deal with an older battery is before the season, not when you get stuck somewhere and need cranking power.

If you live up north you probably know a little about the tricks diesel owners use in the winter time, but if you've just moved here from another part of the country you may want to think about getting a block heater, if your truck doesn't already come equipped. (Heated seats are nice, too, but they won't help get your truck started.)

2) Anti-Gel Fuel Additives
It depends on where you live, but for those unfamiliar it can really get frigid in winter the further North you go. Sometimes someone in Florida goes to visit family in Maine or Toronto, and is unaware of how cold it can get. You should be prepared with a suitable fuel additive to keep it from gelling before it reaches its cloud point, the point at which wax begin to form and inhibit flow.

3) Switch to Lighter Weight Oil
Unless you're a newbie you know how viscosity makes a difference between seasons. If you need help selecting the right diesel oil for your truck, you can always Ask Jake. (Hit the white Ask Jake button on the right here.) 

4) Fuel Filter
The author suggests that if it's been a while since you replaced the fuel filter, this would be a good time to deal with it. We're also reminded that some trucks have two. Replace both.

* * *

The article is basic, but a good reminder that it's that time of year and winter's coming soon... or has already arrived, depending on where you live.

The article ends with links to more info on block heaters and how to protect the exterior of your vehicle from road salt. Don't know what road salt is? It's not for your grits. 

Here's a link to the article in full. Hope you've recovered from your feast yesterday and had a happy Thanksgiving.

https://thenewswheel.com/how-to-prepare-your-diesel-truck-for-winter/

The Future of Diesel

Interest in the future goes back to the dawn of man, no doubt. 19th century visionary Jules Verne, whose books took readers 20,000 leagues under the sea, to the center of the earth and around the moon, had his sights set on the future. H.G. Wells' Time Machine carried readers far into the future. And a whole host of 20th century sci fi writers have given us visions of a tomorrow filled with robots, androids and pre-cogs. 

These thoughts crossed my mind as I read this article about commercial trucks of the future. The headline asks, Does Diesel Have a "Sell By" Date? 

The article, appeared in the Diesel Technology Forum this week, notes that 90% of the trucks on our nation's highways and byways are currently diesel. Based on current trends, what will be the configuration of diesel technology and trucking in 2040? This is the author's prediction:

Fast forward twenty years from now, and trucks will most likely be powered by a diversity of fuels and technology. Some may be powered by hydrogen and fuel cells, some may be battery electric, some may be operating on renewable natural gas or renewable diesel fuel. In any event, according to many sources, rather than having a “sell by“ date, diesel will remain as the dominant technology moving the nation’s freight for decades to come. 

Despite California's efforts to the contrary, industry insiders seem to agree that a majority of over-the-road transporters will still be diesel powered. 

Bloomberg New Energy Finance estimates that less than 20% of our heavy-duty commercial trucks will be powered by electricity in 2040. IHS Markit makes a similar estimate. Others make similar proposals. 

As one who has been paying attention to these issues--emissions and fuel economy--for more than a quarter century, I believe that there is a disconnect between what the public understands and what is really happening. Diesel engine manufacturers have made remarkable strides toward cleaner production of efficient power. 

This is by no means an attempt to derail efforts to improve. The article goes on to note that diesel engines have the advantage of being adaptable to alternative fuels that can reduce emissions.

Diesel trucks also have the capability of operating on advanced renewable biofuels that drive down greenhouse gas emissions, operating on high quality blends of biodiesel or 100 percent renewable diesel fuel. These are fuels that have at least a 50 percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions relative to petroleum, with renewable diesel fuel, GHG emissions are reduced by at least 80 percent.

Whereas it's impossible to forecast the future with perfect 20/20 vision, that doesn't mean we can't have inklings. The stories that fill the headlines don't always reflect the realities. I remember the 1970's when  it was said that we will run out of oil in 10 years. They said it again in the 80s and 90s. Now, some say, there is more oil in the ground than we will ever take out. 

I'm not losing sleep over it. Full article here: https://www.dieselforum.org/policyinsider/what-do-the-commercial-trucks-of-the-future-look-like-in-2040-does-diesel-have-a-sell-by-date

Photo credits: corey-oconnell-EPYIbF8ly14-unsplash
and brian-wangenheim (lower photo)

One Reason Why We Love Diesels: More Torque

Why do we see diesel pickups competing in sled pulls and we don't see Mustangs or Ferraris doing the tug of war? Well, it has to do with torque. Hot cars can master the horsepower game, but when it comes to raw power in a pulling competition, you need to bring in the big dogs for that.

A 2016 article in Car & Driver helps explain what torque is: "Torque is a rotating force produced by an engine's crankshaft. The more torque an engine produces, the greater its ability to perform work." 

You don't need to understand the science to recognize the difference. If you've ever been to a tractor pull, you can see it is a very different experience.

I mention all this because even though diesel engines are far cleaner and quieter than they were thirty years ago, they still get a lot of bad press. Diesel owners have a target on their backs. That's why it is important to remind folks once in a while why half the vehicles in Wyoming are pickup trucks and why diesels still have a function. 

The article that caught my eye is titled, 5 Reasons Why Diesel Engines Make More Torque Than Gasoline Engines. The 2018 Motor Authority story by Jeff Glucker begins, Horsepower is fun in its own way, but torque can be just as entertaining. If you want to rip stumps out of the ground, you'll want a whole lot of torque. That also means you'll likely prefer a diesel engine. Compared to their gasoline-swilling counterparts, diesel engines are the torque kings. Why is that?

Glucker then turns to Jason Fenske from Engineering Explained to get the answer.

According to Fenske these are five of the reasons diesels are Torque Monsters. 

1. The compression ratio

2. The speed of combustion

3. Bore and stroke size

4. Turbocharging

5. Diesel fuel packs more energy density

Fenske explains each of these five points in language that is relatively easy to grasp. For those unfamiliar with these things it is quite eye-opening. I strongly encourage following this link. It's a relatively short article and you will learn a lot.
https://www.motorauthority.com/news/1116200_5-reasons-why-diesel-engines-make-more-torque-than-gasoline-engines

For more, check out the article Torque vs. Horsepower: What's the Difference? (Car & Driver)