If there isn't any ice on the windows I get in, start and let idle for about 15 seconds to let the oil get everywhere and take off easy until it warms up. If there is ice I start it up, scrape the windows and then take off easy until it warms up.
To Idle or not to Idle, that is the ?
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crazyal
Super Member
The manager at a convenience store across the road from where I use to work had his wife working behind the counter. He was the usual stuffed shirt manager type but she was great. One day she tells us a story. The past Sunday morning they decided to go to the store shopping so he went out to start their 4Runner (they had a newborn at the time). He got a phone call and delayed things. Once he was off the phone they decided not to go. The next morning he was running around the house frantically looking for the keys. Seams he forgot to go out and shut it off. It idled for almost 24 hours with no damage at all. This was in the early 90s. They kept that vehicle for another 10 years.
Sorry but I don't buy the whole idea that a cylinder head and walls will stay cold for much more than a few moments after starting. When you start a diesel in the cold it only takes less than a minute (usually a lot less) before the engine smooths and the smoke clears up out as the engine heats up enough to allow complete combustion. I've heard all the doom and gloom but living up here in Northern Vermont I have never seen or directly heard of anyone damaging an engine. far too many princesses who will not step foot out of the house until the car is at least 75 degrees inside. So to me it's an old wives tail. Without real proof I'm going to continue to warm up my vehicles.
As for mufflers rusting out due to moisture. The only problems I've had was when you start up a car in the cold and then shut if off before it has time to heat up the exhaust and dry it out.
Sorry but I don't buy the whole idea that a cylinder head and walls will stay cold for much more than a few moments after starting. When you start a diesel in the cold it only takes less than a minute (usually a lot less) before the engine smooths and the smoke clears up out as the engine heats up enough to allow complete combustion. I've heard all the doom and gloom but living up here in Northern Vermont I have never seen or directly heard of anyone damaging an engine. far too many princesses who will not step foot out of the house until the car is at least 75 degrees inside. So to me it's an old wives tail. Without real proof I'm going to continue to warm up my vehicles.
As for mufflers rusting out due to moisture. The only problems I've had was when you start up a car in the cold and then shut if off before it has time to heat up the exhaust and dry it out.
aczlan
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A guy at work had a similar story, they had off-site training one day after work, he went home to get changed, came back running a little late pulled into the parking lot went inside to grab something and ended up riding with someone else. Eight hours later they came back from the training and his truck was still running with the headlights on and with well under an eighth of a tank of fuel left. For some reason he thinks it's a good idea to never fill his tank above half full because he never drives very far with his truck.
Aaron Z
Mikeeemo
Silver Member
I have a 99 F350. No remote, however it does have four or five keys. One in the ignition switch & one my pocket. The remaining on the key hook in the house. She has almost 300k on the clock and gets a 5 minute warm up every time we use her. My wife does not like the smell of raw fuel, so warm it up it is. Happy wife, happy life.
Soundguy
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I let my 99 350 warm up as well. maybee not 5m, but some for sure. Even if it's only starting it, then walking my cooler to the truck, and then walking the trash to the road and grabbing my newspaper and walking back to the truck. Just anything other than hopping in, starting, and slamming it into gear and flooring the throttle and tearing off on a stone cold engine.
Johnny g
Silver Member
I do a brief warm up, maybe 1 minute in temps that require the heater, and will continue with that practice and not worry about gas leaking down the cylinder walls.
Soundguy
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If it's heater weather, I have to get the wifes van started and pre heated till it blows warm. 
Johnny g
Silver Member
:laughing:If you wipe before it gets crusty you do not need to scrape....
Just sayin
dodge man
Super Star Member
I used to own a Dodge with a Cummins. When it was really cold out I could see fuel dilution being a problem with extended idle. It would kick up to a high idle to help keep itself warm. I know it can also make the DPF regen more if you idle a lot. Gas engine? I just don't see it being a problem.
In my mind the problem with a lot of idle is you aren't getting any kind of fuel mileage. 0 mpg. That said an engine at idle isn't using a lot of fuel.
In my mind the problem with a lot of idle is you aren't getting any kind of fuel mileage. 0 mpg. That said an engine at idle isn't using a lot of fuel.
gordyy
Gold Member
Many years ago driving gravel trucks of all sizes. You started a truck below 35 and it didn't idle 5 minutes minimum you got FIRED
