Truck has been idle for 3 days in -12 to 9 F temps. After starting what is a "safe oil and trans temp" before driving? I know it depends on the ambient temp, but how long should I let it idle or is this harder on the engine?

Still Smiling

 

start it...hook up your seat belt...adjust the mirrors and tune the radio...that should take 30 seconds...put it in gear and go...if the truck is too cold, it will tell you to wait and countdown the seconds to departure...kinda like the space shuttle

 

Check out this thread https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...ng-at-16f.html

 

i also start out slow, rather than sit there endlessly waiting, give it the few minutes to get its head on straight then start out slow. After a couple minutes then increase speed.

 

That's nuts, I had no idea. My wife is in Israel for work for a week so I am driving her Volvo for a change. It's in the negatives here as well. I have never seen that feature.

 

Yea, there is finally a video of the 30 second count down thanks to TyWebb.

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...ng-at-16f.html

 

These types of temps is why I run 5W40 synthetic in my trucks (my preferred brand is Mobile...curious to hear results with Shell Rotella synthetic and/or Amsoil).

At -10F on my 2004 GMC Duramax with Dino 15W40 the oil pressure would go up as high as 120psi on start up...with the 5W40 synthetic about 80-90. With this weight in synthetic it was much easier to drive off and the engine emmitted a lot less noise.

Speaking from Diesel Engine Development past experience (Caterpillar Inc.) I've tested and seen first hand 15W40 dino, 5W40 synthetic, and 0W20 synthetic "artic" oil (if you are in consistent below 0 deg F to -40 deg F for the season.

Ty's video is great, I didn't know our trucks had that feature...still laughing about "Hey I freezing my bolts off out here".

Brian

 

The coldest I've noticed here this year at cold start was 11 degrees F.
It always warms up during the day so we're not consistantly under the limits of 15w-40 oil.
Plus I'll put it in the garage if it gets that cold again. Add southern states moisture to that temp and it's just painful.