The most common approach for powering a vehicle with SVO is to modify a production diesel vehicle. The preheating of the fuel is accomplished by modifying the vehicle's own cooling system to route through an auxiliary SVO fuel tank, lines, and/or fuel filter. Other approaches including using electric heaters, or exhaust heat.

Methods that utilize the vehicle's own heat often involve starting the vehicle with a small amount of diesel fuel, which is not as subject to viscosity issues. When the engine is sufficiently warm, the alternative fuel system is selected. When the vehicle is parked, the fuel system is flushed or allowed to "run out" on diesel fuel. This prevents the lines from clogging after cooling occurs.