Now that the weather is getting cooled, I was wondering how long you should idle the truck before its safe to drive.

 

No need to idle really (idling means you're using fuel without going anywhere), just drive easy for awhile - that'll warm up the fluids in the rest of the truck too (axles etc.)

 

What Ryan said.
The only time that I idle my truck's engine is when there is frost on the window and I cannot see through it to drive.
Otherwise I just start it up, count to ten after the oil pressure hits and drive away.

 

What they said!! No need to wait. Just don't beat on it, take your time...

 

x2

Once you're temp guage is up to the normal range, drive 'normally'... until then, be gentle with your PSD and your PSD will be gentle with you(r wallet)

 

I have a couple of small hills in my area and when I first drive out on a cold morning, the truck drives like its dragging a couple of anchors. This is normal. Just take it easy. However, I love my DP Tuner with the high idle feature. I let it high idle for about a minute (this is without it being plugged in) and off I go.

 

"Normal" is a relative term. You should see my relatives. That would explain everything.

I usually start my truck and let it idle a minute while I go out to the dog pen and give them their morning biscuit. This gives the fluids time to circulate good before I back out of the garage.

 

Here's what I've discovered over the past two years with mine. If I start up and just go... straight shot out of the driveway, being gentle until Temp gauge starts moving... the truck runs fine, but has a lot more clatter until I get close to the "normal operating temp" range.

Alternatively, if I start up, then idle until I see my stereo lights brighten just a tad (takes longer when it's colder), and THEN go... still being gentle until the Temp gauge starts moving... the engine is a WHOLE LOT smoother and quieter, which I personally interpret as having all the fluids well circulated and "ready to go".

I've done this through the cold season, spring, and summer, and the result is very very consistent and the truck seems to like that approach much more. Overall, the idle time amounts to anywhere from 1 minute to 3 minutes, but is typically only 45 to 90 seconds.

Just my experience here in mid-Alabama.

 

FYI - This is due to your glowplugs drawing current. If you do the GP LED mod you'll prove it to yourself.

 

You're absolutely right, Brendan.

The reason I did not mention that was to not complicate the explanation for those who have not done the GPR LED mod. I've also noticed that there is a motor that kicks on at the same time, and if I recall previous similar discussion threads correctly, it's the vacuum pump. The noise it makes is barely audible, but you can train your ear to listen for that too as additional confirmation of being "ready to go".

 

I do the very short idle thing (maybe a minute) and drive easy until it's warm. What I notice is that it runs much better cold with 5W-40 in it. I proved that to myself last year -- I had Delo 15W-40 in it and it was rompy can clacky. I didn't have the traditional romps, but when it first started it would give a good ROOOMP then run normally. On 5W40, none of that and it's quieter. Something to consider trying...

 

Thanks for the info, I have 5-40w Rotella oil in there for the cooled weather. I just did not know if there was a rule about this.

 

When the temp here starts hitting single digits and lower I always start my truck 15 minutes before I head to work. Work is only a ten minute drive and I like to make sure its good and warm by that time. Personally, I like jumping into a warm truck. One of the nice benefits of a remote starter....
JEV

 

I have a remote start on my truck also. I usually hit the start button, and by the time I get my stuff together and head out the door it has been running for 8-10 minutes. It really seems much much quieter than if i jump in hit the key and run. In the winter I will usually let it run for about 15 minutes before I jump in and run.

 

I live up in canada, and when it gets to minus 30-40 degrees celcius, I let my truck warm up for at least 10 minutes before going anywhere in it. Even minus 20 I let er sit and idle for 5 minutes or so.

I grew up on a farm, and with those old diesel trucks/tractors/other equipment, my dad always taught me to let them warm up before ya use them, and he did alot of idling.

Hard habit to break for me I guess.