Cold Hard Facts

[jro909]

just looking for the facts and or opinions i suppose on cold weather start ups and such on trucks, i've read countless articles saying to not let your truck idle and or warm up, because of the oil contamination or carbon build up...let alone fuel waste..i do idle my truck until the rpms idle down to 600 range, because i feel that the rest of the fluids let alone the tranny are cold as hell..but whats the majority around here on thoughts?

[txab]

Warm it up. But, within reason. Letting it run 30 minutes in most cases would be overkill in my area, IMHO. For the coldest temps we get here, for the first start of the day I might let it go 3 minutes or so max. But, I also take it easy, pretty much let it run at idle speed down the block. Contamination shouldn't be a problem as long as your not short tripping it all the time

[02bbcummins]

i wouldnt worry too much about oil contamination on start up.. the only way that could be possible is if u idled thru many, many tanks of fuel.. u will be fine.. the only thing that would really ever happen that u would see would be when u change ur plugs if u see it all gummed up.. which u wont from just warm up.. put it this way, it has to be done, what would u rather have, a possiblity of carbon build up or blowing gaskets cuz too much pressure or tearing up ur cylinders cuz the oil is too thick to fully lubricate. its gotta be done.

[jro909]

ive read so many similiar topics on other sites asking if warm up is needed and everybody said no modern engines are good to go soon as the motor has oil pressure, but to me watching oil pressure ride 60 to 80 psi seems harmful to the motor, i also read that throwing the truck in gear when the motors idleing higher puts alot of strain onto the tranny....the way i look at it is that i'm already happy with paying at the pump more often then others so whats it matter if i let the truck run a bit before driving

[Jsdirt]

I let mine run maybe a minute, just to get the oil circulating. I live in the northeast where highs temps for the day can remain in the single digits, to below zero at night during January. I don't put my foot into it hard until I've gone a few miles first. Been doing this for 20 years with no ill effects.

 

Plus, the engine warms up 100x faster rather than idling.

[REV353]

If your temp gets to -0 or below buy a block heater and let it warm up for 10-20 Min's. You should have an idea how long it takes to warm up your truck at certain temps. Just wait long enough until your temp gauge moves or you get some warm air, so your windows don't fog up. I always change my oil in the spring. One last thing, leave your heater fan off and the temp on cold, this will help the motor warm up faster.

 

[Nytemare]

I use synthetic fluids....so flow is not a problem...and its rarely below 32* where I live...but even in the summer I let the idle drop off before driving away...I always let the rpm's drop below 1000.

[txab]

ive read so many similiar topics on other sites asking if warm up is needed and everybody said no modern engines are good to go soon as the motor has oil pressure, but to me watching oil pressure ride 60 to 80 psi seems harmful to the motor, i also read that throwing the truck in gear when the motors idleing higher puts alot of strain onto the tranny....the way i look at it is that i'm already happy with paying at the pump more often then others so whats it matter if i let the truck run a bit before driving

 

What oil are you running?

[jro909]

mobil one clean high mileage 5-30

[dlstewart01]

mobil one clean high mileage 5-30

 

I havn't seen Mobil 1 clean... Mobil 1 is synthetic, Mobil clean highmileage is conventional.

 

MOBIL 1

 

 

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NEW BOTTLE LABELS

 

 

MOBIL CLEAN 7500

 

 

MOBIL CLEAN HIGH MILEAGE

 

 

MOBIL CLEAN 5000

 

Today's electronically controlled engines do not need an extended warm up, unless we are talking crazy low temps. Let it idle for a minute or two and drive slowly for the 1st mile or so is the best method.

[txab]

mobil one clean high mileage 5-30

 

Reason I asked about your oil type was your statement about seeing 60-80 psi readings. I'm not seeing those kind of numbers on start up. Mine is about the same hot or cold.

[jro909]

it runs at about 60ish psi at cold start up, if i drive it dead cold it rides that or higher, once it warms and idles down it goes to around 40 psi

 

btw to the other guy sorry clean is somethen else, its 5-30 high mileage

[jf781]

I run Mobil 1 5-30 (full syn) as well and It's been around -10 or so at night and during startup I'd say mines runs right around 60 PSI at idle. After it warms up it drops to around 40 PSI as well. Seems to be about the same regardless of temp.

 

BTW - I just hit the remote start when I'm getting ready to go out to the truck in the morning. It usually anywhere form 1 - 5 minutes depending on kid/dog/wife etc. before I make it out there.

 

A few extra minutes aren't going to hurt anything but your mileage. Plus its warmer when you get in!!

[ColoradoSkiCountry]

Folks, think of warming up a truck like warming up and stretching before you exercise. YES IT IS IMPORTANT! Cold oil, even Synthetic = thick, which = more pressure when cold which means more work for components. Modern engine or not. Remember, you got your power steering fluid as well that will be cold and thick. If you stick to letting your non-diesels warm up for 2-3 min in temps below freezing, I think that is perfect. Even in 90 degree weather I'll let my truck warm up in the morning for at least a min before driving.

 

As far as the tranny goes, if you don't care about longevity of the thing, sure go ahead and take off WOT and forget about it. Otherwise, I try to keep the thing below 1800-2000 RPMs for the first mile or two.

[zedbear]

I let mine warm up for several minutes at least in the temps we've been having around here (teens). I have no choice. The first minute or so is piston slap. Then if I take off right away, it holds second gear until 30mph, racing the engine (bad when cold) until the trans or engine gets warm enough. Only problem is my last fill up = 11.3 mpg.