Do I need transmission pan heater in fairbanks?

hello, ive been to fairbanks before. Stationed in eielson for 3 years and now im coming back but this time with my MT taco. Do i need more that the standard oil/engine block/battery heaters? Also, do i need to change the stock coolant in my vehicle? Bought the truck in vegas. I appreciate!

 

I'd change the coolant to a 60/40 coolant/water mix, but the standard block, pan, and battery heaters are fine. It couldn't hurt to change your diff oils and MT oils to synthetic like Amsoil.

 

ditch the battery heater instead use a battery maintainer.. I've seen battery heaters burn down vehicles. if you have a 5 speed manual like I do, then a trans heater is a must.. @ -40 it will stay in gear with the clutch depressed. 60/40 coolant is good down to -40.. I run 70/30 that is good down to -50, although I run the Dalton all year and it gets dam cold on the north slope. but yes defiantly run synthetics like Amsoil... MT90 is what I found to work best for me.

 

Better to use a trickle charger for your battery. Plates & blankets can kill a battery over time.

 

Trans heaters are not required on MT’s. Definitely change your coolant. I wouldn’t worry so much about the diffs or other fluids. I haven’t had any issue with my truck here in fairbanks.

Add: I also recommend getting a slightly high CCA battery and a trickle charger. For those 40below starts. I upgraded to a optima yellow top

 

The heat from the block and oil pan heaters will radiate back and warm the transmission also.

 

I've had issues with slow-to-release clutches in other cars with manual transmissions, but my Tacoma is an AT so no idea if that applies or not to our trucks. I've always assumed it was due to the clutch fluid getting thicker in super cold weather as it only happened first thing in the morning when it was -30F or colder or after driving on the highway for a while at those temps. A fluid flush to a DOT3 or 4 fluid with lower viscosity at low temps should help.