Cold Weather Operating Tips

Although Cat^® equipment is designed and built to operate under tough conditions, you can take some steps to help ensure your machines are ready when cold weather hits.

• Keep batteries fully charged and warm.
• Store equipment inside heated sheds, barns or garages. When that isn’t possible, park the equipment where it is protected from the wind.
• In extremely cold weather, fill fuel tanks when the engine will be shut off for eight or more hours.
• In temperatures below 20° F, use diesel fuel No. 1 (DF1) or diesel fuel No. 2 (DF2). Both fuels should have a minimum cetane rating of 45.
• A winter additive formulated for diesel fuel reduces the possibility of gelling and improves starting.
• When working in snow, check air cleaners and air inlets periodically to maintain proper airflow.
• Radios, heaters and other high-amperage devices put extra strain on batteries during starting. Turn them off while the starter motor is engaged.
• After starting an engine on a cold day, allow it to warm up for a few minutes before putting the machine under load.