I recently purchased a Chevrolet 2006 Silverado 2500HD w/Duramax & Allison transmission. I have also owned since it was new, a 1983 C-20,Chevrolet Suburban w/a 6.2 diesel engine. I have acquired the habits/practices of: 1. Using Stanadyne fuel additive in the 1983, and it has helped greatly to maintain the Stanadyne injector pump. 2. After 4 - 700R4 transmission rebuilds by AAMCO, whenever I tow my 25' travel trailer, I manually shift (move) the shift lever from "1" to "2", then "3" when starting from a stoplite, etc.. 3.(this is not a habit, just a question) My 1983 6.2 diesel has a "block heater" in it. My questions are: 1. Should I continue to use the Stanadyne additive in my new Duramax (in light of the new "low sulfur" diesel fuel being produced these days)? 2. Should I "manually shift" the Allison transmission in my new truck like I do my 1983? and 3. Should I have a "block heater" installed in the new Duramax? My truck was made in May, 2006. Any comments, suggestions, etc. will be greatly appreciated. Dabney

use of fuel lubricant personnel preference, i use it, quiets engine and peice of mind. allison will do good it self, might be situation were need to limit od's, look in transmission section and read manual. DMax comes with blockheater installed tied up on pass. side of engine block(black taped up for camo)

No one to date has proved that fuel lubricant is needed in the LBZ.

Let the Allison do the shifting, it is smarter than most of us.

Look on the left side of the engine, down towards the frame, you should find a plug that you can plug into a 110V outlet to "warm" your engine overnight.

1. I would continue using Stanadyne fuel treatment. - I've been using it in my 2006 LBZ since the day I picked it up from the dealer. (Consider it Good Insurance)

2. Let the Allison shift by itself. - Use the Tow/Haul mode when towing a trailer.

3. ALL Duramax equipped trucks come with the engine block heater.

Fuel conditioners are more important for new engines than ever. Newer fuel injection systems are increasingly more complex, sensitive, and precise than older systems. Additionally, ever more stringent demands for refineries mean sulphur content will continue to drop (which is a good thing) and that you diesel will be dryer and lose more of its natural lubricity (which is a bad thing). Stanadyne performance formula is approved for use in virtually ALL fuel systems and is proven to increase the life of your fuel system AND increase fuel economy.

You can't go wrong, and if you go with a different additive, make sure it has lubricity additive and cetane improver is a plus.

I'm not sure if you realize this yet or not but you dont have a 4th gen Duramax with the LMM engine. Yours is a 3rd gen LBZ.
I run additives because added lubricity never hurts.
Let the Allison do the shifting. Its one of the smartest tranny's on the market and the TCM is programmed for just about every situation imaginable. Your truck will do what it was designed to do.
Block heaters are standard on all Duramax's. Look on the passenger side just below the intake between the battery and engine. There is a wiring harness that the plug is tied to and wrapped with tape. The end of the plug has a cap over it so you will have to look a bit to find it initially.

This reply is to "Dangerous Duramax". If I don't have the 4th Generation Duramax, when did it start being installed in the Silverado? My truck was built May 20, 2006. That doesn't seem very long ago. What is the difference between the 3rd and 4th? Dabney

P.S. I found the block heater cord all stored nice and tidy below the 2nd battery. Thanks everybody for pointing me in the right direction. Dabney

This reply is to "Dangerous Duramax". If I don't have the 4th Generation Duramax, when did it start being installed in the Silverado? My truck was built May 20, 2006. That doesn't seem very long ago. What is the difference between the 3rd and 4th? Dabney

The 4th gen is the new LMM engine which we cant even get yet and is considered a 2007.5. Your LBZ is the 3rd gen

You really dont need to use the block heater unless its at least 10 below zero

You really dont need to use the block heater unless its at least 10 below zero

You really don't need to have recreational sex either,but like your engine,your libido will thank you for it.Sure,your engine will probably start,but why would'nt you use it?Nice,warm oil,warm coolant which means almost instant heat in your cab,less wear on your starter,etc.It's there to use,so use it.

IIRC there is a thermostat in the newer block heater cords that only lets power flow when near or below approx 0 degrees F.

no need for that block heater-- i tested my Duramax last winter in the high mountains of Colorado 10400 feet elevation at 18 degrees below zero started after turning over a couple times - a little louder than the norm

__DangerousDuramax -TranSynd is that a synthic transmission fluid? and what does allison say about it?

no need for that block heater-- i tested my Duramax last winter in the high mountains of Colorado 10400 feet elevation at 18 degrees below zero started after turning over a couple times - a little louder than the norm

Nobody ever said your engine won't start when it get's that cold.The heater is there to reduce all that terrible wear and tear your engine and starting system has to endure.The side benefit is almost instant heat in your cab.That extra noise you heard was your Dmax yelling at you ''to plug me innext time you lazy sucker.'':joke:

__DangerousDuramax -TranSynd is that a synthic transmission fluid? and what does allison say about it?

It's Castrols synthetic--Allison says it's fine to use.