moved to Laramie Wyoming for a year.last night was about 0.my truck almost did not start.the battery is less than a year old,had it on a maintainer the hole night because it helps on 20 degree nights in the morning. running 10w40 oil(over 240k orig miles),new starter.all my lights were nice and bright but it was a very slow crank. should i go thinner on oil or would a oil pan heater be a good idea?no issues at all if above 25 degrees just below.

Either use a pan/block heater or go to 5W-30 oil for the winter.

John B.

Most likely the choke isn't engaging fully, and 0 F is just cold anyway. Yes, block heater will help...more for the water than than the oil. Even the 2011 Dakota I was driving last Spring in Douglas, WY and McCook, NE didn't like the cold temps and often made me wonder if/when it would start.

We don't get temps that low here very often. Knock wood. Would synthetic oil flow better at those temps?

Yes.

John B.

I have always lived in colder areas. I every time I get a new battery get the most powerful one I can figure how to get in the vehicle. With that said I personally only had one ride with a heater as its never super cold here not much more then -20F here. I do how ever put a small electric heater under the motor when it is going to be under -15F or so and it helps alot. The old light under the hood works ok better then nothing as well. If your living where it will get colder then -15F for some time I would get block a heater. O and yes a 1 year old battery can go bad as well... I have used battery warranties a few times.

choke is not the issue.once it turns over at a decent pace it fires up.its just a real slow turn over when real cold.figured either thinner oil or oil pan heater to help the oil move a bit easier.

A lighter weight synthetic oil (5w30 or 0w30) will go a long way towards helping your issue. Making sure that your battery cables have clean, tight connections at both ends will help make sure your starter is getting full voltage.

I grew up in central IL, and it got cold there from time to time, like the time of my 21st b-day. Note to others, don't go sleep off a bar crawl in your buddy's car while they continue to party when it's -20 out.

I'd never even thought of the light bulb under the hood thing. Sounds like it could be quite effective, though. Put a 100 watt bulb on a timer and set it to light up a few hours before you need the truck, maybe? Set the bulb on a brick under the oil pan...

John B.

When I was living up in Butte, MT. It got super cold, days on end without breaking 0 without factoring in the wind chill. Tried 5-30w and a new temp sensor, but after collecting quite the collection of fried starters went to multiple block heaters. Got a magnetic one for the oil pan and a inline heater for the lower radiator hose, made a world of difference. Napa sells both and they're about $30 each. To me it was the cheapest fix for a seasonal issue.