It does. As soon as the light goes out you should be turning the ignition. I bet there are going to be some unhappy diesels the next few days in VT. With 2 good batteries and the valves adjusted, those DI Cummins engines will start when it's darn cold.

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1987 300TD 309, xxx 2.8.2014 10,000 mile OCI


Be careful of the toes you step on today, as they may be connected to the ass you have to kiss tomorrow. anonymous

“Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don’t matter, and those who matter won’t mind.” Dr. Seuss

2-3 hours was enough for my TD and for my Cummins when I had one. Maybe 4 hours if it's 20 below. A 1/2 hour may help some, but not as much as a couple hours.

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1987 300TD 309, xxx 2.8.2014 10,000 mile OCI


Be careful of the toes you step on today, as they may be connected to the ass you have to kiss tomorrow. anonymous

“Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don’t matter, and those who matter won’t mind.” Dr. Seuss

Yesterday I got caught flat footed, it had been 26F when I got home the night before and as it was so warm (!) I didn't bother to plug in. When I got out of the shower it was 6F.
I know from experience my car won't start if its cooled to 10F or colder with its current load of 15w40 Delvac 1300. So I ran out (well got dressed and then ran out ) and plugged it in. Back in the house I ate breakfast and made my lunch. When I was ready to leave the heater had been on about 20 minutes.
Started up but wasn't happy about it...

Today it was 0F, I'd had the block heater on all night, started like it was July...

I know a lot of people say they're 500 watts but mine works fine off a 400watt inverter....

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Sadly Benz-less

I cold started mine at -3F a few weeks ago after sitting in that temp for about 12 hours (not voluntarilly-timer was not set to on).

Last night/this morning it got down to -22F. I left it outside plugged in all night with no timer in the loop, just straight plugged in. It wouldn't start. I had to push it into a heated garage to start it. My temp gauge read -27.5C.

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2009 ML320 Bluetec
1985 300CD
1981 300TD

Past Mercedes
1979 300TD
1982 300TD
2000 E320 4Matic Wagon
1998 E430
1984 300SD
1980 300SD

Well I pushed my luck today and it pushed back at 0*
I hadn't plugged in the Cummins this winter with 15-40 in the crankcase and B30 in the fuel tank with good starts in to the single digits F*.
This morning I did my usual cold start routine: cycle the grids once, depress and hold the throttle about 1/3, turn the key and it starts and runs smokily, lumpily for a few seconds and then quits. Well I spent about 30 minutes on and off trying to get it to run but it would quickly sputter and die. I finally decided my time was better spent having a cold beverage and visiting with my wife in the warm house while the Cummins sat hood open in the bright January sun.
After about an hour I went back out and did my routine once more and it fired and ran fine.
I first drove it up to the shop and added a 1/2 bottle of PS 911 and then on to town where I added 11 gals of D2 to dilute the BD content way down.
The dreaded gel has reared its ugly head and and I am taking it to heart.
I am glad it happened in my dooryard.
There still is a lot of winter ahead
The Benz on the other hand starts and runs without a problem with the block heater used.

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1981 240D 143k 4 spd manual -SOLD

2004 VW Jetta TDI 5 speed 300k -still driven daily

my cummins 4bta doesn't even have a grid heater. The coldest I've started it w/ out plugging in is about 17*f. she was smoky and rough, but she went. ohh- only one battery, too.

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1984 123.193 372,xxx miles, room for Seven.

1999 Dodge Durango Cummins 4BTAA 47RE 5k lb 4x4 getting 25+mpgs, room for Seven.