It’s easy to start a diesel truck once you know how it differs from a gasoline engine. Just be patient and wait for the glow plugs to warm up sufficiently.

Written by Elaine Sulpy

Reviewed by Carrie Adkins

Updated on Jun 1, 2022

Table of Contents

Why it's different
Starting a diesel truck

If you've attempted to start a diesel truck, you may realize it’s not the same as starting a gasoline-powered vehicle. Where a gasoline engine can be immediately cranked over and turn on, a diesel engine needs to warm up a little first.

While these trucks do come with a higher price tag, they can make up for it in

fuel savings

. That makes diesel engine trucks an attractive option for certain buyers.

Here's a guide by

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Jerry

to help you learn all about how to start a diesel truck and why it differs from starting up a gasoline-powered counterpart.

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Why starting a diesel is different

Aside from using diesel fuel versus gasoline to fuel up, there are a few other components of a diesel engine truck that differ from a gasoline truck.

One of the main differences is related to how the fuel combusts inside the engine. A traditional gasoline engine utilizes spark plugs to start combustion. A diesel engine relies on compression to raise the air temperature inside the engine so the diesel fuel combusts when it meets the hot air. So, temperature is very important to diesel trucks.

Some of the main components that help a diesel engine start can include:

Glow plugs. A glow plug is used in a diesel engine to help it start. This is a pencil-shaped metal heating device. It uses power from a truck’s battery to warm up. Once it is warm, diesel fuel is sprayed on the tip of the glow plug, igniting the fuel regardless of overall engine temperature.

Double the batteries. Diesel trucks have two batteries to start the engine and heat up a truck’s glow plugs. Because of the amount of power, or amps, that are needed to start a diesel engine, a diesel truck must use two batteries to start. Make sure these batteries are always fully charged.

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Three ways to start a diesel truck

There are three main ways to start up a diesel truck, each depending on the type of truck, how old the truck is, and technology it has installed, such as air intake heaters.

Regardless of how you start your diesel truck, make sure the parking brake is always on and the truck is in neutral or park.

Option 1: Reference the glow plug

The most common way to start a diesel engine truck, especially newer models, is to reference the glow plug indicator light, which will inform you when the glow plugs have been heated sufficiently to crank over the engine.

To start a diesel truck using a glow plug indicator, follow these steps:

Step 1: Turn the truck’s key. You want to turn the key to "start." Make sure you do not fully turn the key to the "on" position. Some trucks may have a "wait to start" indicator light or warning.

Step 2: Look for the glow plug lights. You will know it’s time to move to the next step when either the glow plug indicator light illuminates and the wait to start warning goes away (if equipped with the warning light), or until the glow plug indicator light illuminates (if you do not have a warning light).

Note, if you do not wait for the glow plugs to fully heat up before you fully start the truck, you can risk damaging your glow plugs over time, which can result in the need for replacement. In addition, the colder the weather, the longer it may take for the glow plugs to warm up. Be patient to avoid damage to the glow plugs.

Step 3: Turn the truck on. Once the glow plug lights have illuminated, it’s safe to turn the truck key in the ignition to the "on" position. It may take a few seconds to fully crank over, but be sure to not let your truck crank for more than 30 seconds to avoid damaging the engine. If it will not start, turn the ignition off completely and restart the process of warming the glow plugs and restarting the truck.

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Option 2: Utilize an air intake heater

Another way to start a diesel truck is with the addition of an air intake heater. This device is in addition to the glow plugs and can help warm up the engine more quickly as well as reduce smoke emitted during start.

An air intake heater will help quickly move warm air into the combustion chamber of the engine to help speed up starting your diesel truck.

Here are the steps to use an air intake heater to start your diesel truck.

Step 1: Turn the truck’s key. Just as with the glow plugs, you will need to turn the truck’s key into the "start" position, without turning it on completely.

Step 2: Wait for the glow plugs. You will still need to wait for the glow plugs to warm up before the engine can start. An air intake heater is in addition to the glow plugs. Look for the glow plug indicator lights to illuminate before starting the truck.

Step 3: Start the truck. Once the glow plug lights have turned on, you can start the truck. Turn the key all the way to the on position and wait for the truck to turn on. Do not let the engine crank for more than 30 seconds. The air intake heater is working to move warm air into the combustion chamber. If it does not start, turn the key to the "off" position and repeat the process.

An added benefit of air intake heaters is the reduction of black or white smoke that typically comes with starting a diesel engine cold.

Option 3: Warm it with an engine block heater

For trucks that do not warm up sufficiently on their own or trucks that are in extremely cold weather, you can also try using an engine block heater. This helps warm up a truck’s oil and/or coolant.

In areas with cold weather, you may see a plug sticking out of the grill of many of the cars. These are connected to engine block heaters.

To use an engine block heater:

Step 1: Select and install heater. The first step is to either install your engine block heater, or have it professionally installed. There are a few main types of engine block heater:

A basic engine block heater can replace the

engine oil dipstick

for a basic solution.

The more common engine block heater

replaces the drain plug

below the engine block.

Another common option is a

heating pad

that is placed on top of the engine block.

You can also wrap your batteries with a thermal wrap to keep them warm.

A newer option are

magnetic heaters

that connect to the engine block.

Step 2: Plug it in. For the engine block heater to work, regardless of type used, you need to plug it into a source of power. You may need to keep a

cold weather extension cord

on hand. You may need to leave the heater plugged in whenever you are not using your truck when the temperatures are below freezing and you may not have the time to wait for the heaters to warm it up from totally frozen.

Step 3: Turn the truck on. Once your truck components are warm enough, you can follow the steps above to start your truck with either an air intake heater or just using the traditional glow plug indicators.

Ensure you operate your diesel truck correctly. Start with turning it on correctly. Knowing how to start a diesel truck, understanding how glow plugs work, and when you may need to use an engine block heater can help keep your diesel truck in good working order.

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