Purchased a 2003 2500HD 4 months ago and with it came a new factory bra for cold weather. The PO said he had never used it since the truck was only in southern Texas for the winter months, and then back home to Southern Ontario, Canada, for the rest of the year.

I have been told from another diesel owner that unless I use the bra in winter, I'll not have enough cabin heat to keep the interior warm.

Anyone with experience who can shed some light?

I was told below 32 run it. But if your goin short distances, I run mine when it's about 45 outside. Unless you are pullin a heavy load just run it and watch your temp gauge

I use mine when it gets below 0c, helps with the heat in the cab. I only put the bumper tarp on when it gets real cold out. It`s going to be -28c or so this weakend so I guess I`ll put it on.

my trans temp would get hot...so i stopped running a bra

I put mine on when it looks like Winter is here for a while - this year it was last weekend before the first big snow fall in Iowa. Once it's on I leave it all Winter. I've had it on at temps as high as 50 degrees for long drives and have never had the slightest hint of overheating - that was running empty on the highway though. The winter front will let the engine stay at operating temperature and not only helps with heating the cabin but noticably improves fuel economy. Cold diesels don't run efficiently - about a 3mpg improvement for me in the Winter months, I can still get 21 on the highway at 65mph with it on.

My winterfront gets installed when temps are in the 30s. I didnt use the bumper cover until last year (it got really cold last winter), but I didnt see a marked difference.

When you guys talk about when you install the covers, you need to specify WHERE you live if its not shown in your username. People need that reference.

I install mine when the temps get into the 40's, mine never gets that hot unless I am pulling something, and it doesn't get warm at all if I do not use it. I have run it on 60* days and it is fine.

From having a 01[LB7],04[LLY], and now my 06[LBZ],I would only run the bra if temps. were constantly 10* or colder.I never had any issues either running with or without it.

Thanks everyone! That's just what I wanted to know.

I install my grill cover in the 20's and it helps warm up time and keeps the tranny temp upto operating temp. Its been in the 20's to -20's the past week or two here in NW Wyo and I wouldn't go without it!

I put it on last Saturday when it was 38 degrees since I was switching to winter synthetic oil so I just threw it on for kicks. Now it's -20 and I haven't seen a change in my heat, so it must be working fine. I just take it off to wash the truck since it really holds in salt. I also watch temps but so far no troubles.