Idle and warm up, or just drive away?

**csmac2004** · 12-16-2008, 04:01 PM

Hey fellow Canadians and cold-weather American friends!

Just wondering, as I've seen some debate about this. As the temperatures up here in our frozen North drop drastically, I was wondering about cold starting techniques and recommendations. Right now in Kamloops we're in about -20°C weather (-4°F), which is cold although not even half as cold as I know many others are seeing right now...

Obviously I have a block heater, and make sure that its plugged in at least 3 hours prior to starting my truck during these types of temperatures. However, if I take my truck to work, it will sit for 9+ hours outside in -20°C. I've been told that I should go out and start it around lunch time and let it run for about 10-15 minutes if I can't plug it in. Does this help? Or does it do anything at all?

Also, I saw a debate whether or not even letting the vehicle warm up before driving is good or bad. The arguement was being made, by some claiming to be an "Automotive Engineer" that I should just "jump in, start up, and drive away" as the cat converter and oil don't warm up during idle anyways, and only during driving will it really warm things up. However, others have said warming up the antifreeze first is best, resulting in better MPG and faster heat into the interior. Thoughts on this???

**retired** · 12-16-2008, 04:17 PM

I usually let the engine run for a couple of minutes to get the oil moving.

**Sooner** · 12-16-2008, 04:50 PM

From what I've read, there's no longer a need to let it run any longer than necessary, aside from letting the oil flow completely through the engine, because most everything is fuel injected now, the computer compensates for the cold engine, the oils are better suited to handle the cold weather and it's simply a waste of fuel. Once the oil is circulating through the engine, drive the vehicle slowly until everything comes up to temp. However, this doesn't help when the windshield is frosted over and your toes are frozen. So until they come up with a covered parking area at work and a block heater for my toes, or I move to South Texas, I'll continue to start my truck 5-10 minutes before I take off, taking it easy on the gas/brake until everything warms up. : )

**SoonerSilverado11** · 12-16-2008, 05:15 PM

I usually let mine sit 2-3 minutes then just take it easy to let things warms up. Everything runs smoothly and I don't know of any problems but I can't imagine it being possible to do major damage with even these precautions. If I am wrong TELL ME NOW!!! It's cold outside!

**csmac2004** · 12-16-2008, 05:39 PM

Interesting! That's good to know, although I agree with Sooner that for the sake of my appendages I will still let it warm up a bit before I get in! Hah! Thanks, guys.

**tlperry68** · 12-16-2008, 06:04 PM

I would think that durring your lunch break starting your truck wouldn't make a difference.

**sdavis2702** · 12-16-2008, 06:53 PM

Originally Posted by Sooner

From what I've read, there's no longer a need to let it run any longer than necessary, aside from letting the oil flow completely through the engine, because most everything is fuel injected now, the computer compensates for the cold engine, the oils are better suited to handle the cold weather and it's simply a waste of fuel. Once the oil is circulating through the engine, drive the vehicle slowly until everything comes up to temp. However, this doesn't help when the windshield is frosted over and your toes are frozen. So until they come up with a covered parking area at work and a block heater for my toes, or I move to South Texas, I'll continue to start my truck 5-10 minutes before I take off, taking it easy on the gas/brake until everything warms up. : )

We are in the same exact boat!

**hutch_pt** · 12-16-2008, 09:19 PM

my dad is a mechanic, and he told me just to make sure that the oil pressure gauge comes up (indicating oil flowing), and to let it run for a minute of two. The next thing that he told me to do, was to watch the temp gauge, to make sure that the antifreeze is actually warming up (for the especially cold starts). Basically you have to make sure that the antifreeze hasnt gelled, as you can crack a block if so...

**bry2500** · 12-17-2008, 01:19 PM

I prefer to let it warm up. But that's just so the heat actually has heat when I drive away. If you're worried about the time your at work , install a remote starter. Hit the buttons and it will run for 20 mins then shut off. All most every brand on the market has a timer in it that is aproximately 20 mins. Most work around a 1/4 mile away and there are some that work as far as a mile away. Big $$$ for those though. No one can steal the truck either because if the brake is pressed with out the ignition key in the engine shuts down.

**smainsw** · 12-17-2008, 01:45 PM

I usually plug mine in at work when it is really cold out because they are nice enough to supply power in the parking lot where I work, however I do let mine run for a bit before I hop in and drive it off, also it is a good idea to back into your parking spot on those really cold days as it is hard on the transmission to go into reverse right away on those cold days as your tranny fluid is also not warmed up. Also as a side thought some remote starts have a "low temperature mode" in which the system starts your engine automatically when temperature falls below a preset level. My remote start has this feature and can be turned on so that the engine will run for a programmed runtime after which the system will wait 2.5 hours and start hte engine again if the temperature is still below the preset level. On mine the low temperature level can be set at 23 deg F (-5 C) 5 degrees F (-15 C) -7 degrees F (-20 C) -22 degrees F (-30 C) and can be set to run for 2, 4, 8, or 18 minutes.

Anyways something to think about if your looking into a remote start.