GEAR 1915262 - Caterpillar

The Basics
1. FUEL- Use a winter fuel blend with cloud point at least 10°F below the lowest expected operating temperature. Cloud point is the temperature at which paraffin crystals form in fuel making it cloudy and restricting flow through fuel filters.2. OIL- Follow oil viscosity recommendations in the 3116 Operation and Maintenance Manual for the expected operating temperature. High viscosity oil can lead to bearing damage in cold weather. Following oil and oil filter maintenance intervals is particularly important in cold weather as oil viscosity increases as it becomes contaminated in use and contamination occurs more quickly in cold weather.3. COOLANT- Maintain antifreeze concentration that will assure protection to the lowest possible ambient temperature. A mixture of 60% antifreeze and 40% water provides maximum protection.4. BATTERIES- Provide batteries with adequate cold cranking capability and maintain them properly. At 0°F, batteries have only 60% of the capability that they have at 80°F. Also be sure the charging system is operating properly to keep the batteries fully charged.Starting
1. BLOCK AND FUEL HEATERS- A cylinder block heater warms the oil and coolant - assisting in starting by lowering the oil viscosity and warming the cylinders for good combustion. A fuel heater assures easy fuel flow and improves mixing with combustion air for quick starts.2. INLET AIR HEATER- Prior to starting, engage the air inlet heater for 30 seconds. The warm air helps fuel vaporize for quick starting. Heater electrical demand is much less than required by the starter for extended cranking. Once the engine starts, the heater will remain on for seven minutes (or until shut off by increasing coolant temperature) to minimize white smoke.
Do not store starting fluid containers in the cab. Storing containers in the cab could result in an explosion and/or fire and possible personal injury.
DO NOT USE ETHER IF EQUIPPED WITH AN AIR INLET HEATER (fuel-ignited manifold heater). If equipped with an electric air inlet heater, DO NOT use ether at any time unless equipped with an automatic metered ether injection system.
Using hand held starting fluids (ether) when the engine is equipped with any of the above options could result in engine damage and/or personal injury.
3. ETHER- The use of automatic ether injection will help the engine to start. Spray cans of ether must not be used due to the air inlet heater and potential for engine damage from excess ether.Warm-up
1. LOADING- Lightly loading the engine is the most effective way of reaching operating temperature. A light load may be applied as soon as oil pressure registers on the gauge.2. IDLE SPEED- If a load cannot be applied, increasing the idle speed to 1000 - 1200 rpm will raise coolant temperature more quickly than operating at low idle. In the 1000 - 1200 rpm range there is a "ram air" effect from the tuned inlet system that raises the pressure of air being supplied to the cylinders.3. EXHAUST BRAKE- Engaging the exhaust brake helps the engine warm