Warming up Before Taking off
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 144
Likes: 0
From: Massachusetts
Warming up Before Taking off
I have read that you should warm up the truck before pulling a load..........how long do you idle before taking off? I usually idle till I see the temp needle move..........thanks for any and all replies.
2000 xlt Ps; 114k; 2wd; auto
2000 xlt Ps; 114k; 2wd; auto
Post Fiend
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 14,582
Likes: 12
From: 21791
sure idling is good for getting pressures up to spec and stuff, but sitting and letting it idle for 15-30 minutes in cold weather won't really warm it up. What you should do is start it up and let it idle for a few seconds or until the blue smoke goes away. The warm heater vent thing sounds like a good rule of thumb if you are pulling a load. Take it very easy on the truck until the needle comes up to the normal range. Keep it below 2000 if you can. In the mornings i open the garage doors, start my truck, and then back it out, close the doors and leave. It idles for about 20 seconds. My drive to school is less than two minutes so it doesn't even move the needle when i get to school.
Elder User
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 533
Likes: 0
From: NorCal
I warm mine up for at least 2-3 minutes of idling because I live in the boonies and right off the freeway. It's hard to take it easy until it fully warms up because after like 1 minute of getting out of the driveway, I have to merge onto the freeway and get up to speed. Sometimes I wait until there are no cars and take it easy onto the freeway, other times I have no choice but to haul *** and merge 
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 200
Likes: 0
From: Leavenworth Washington
Trending Topics
Post Fiend
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 14,582
Likes: 12
From: 21791
Originally Posted by erik_bishop
here in Alaska , the rule is when all 6 windows are defrosted its warm and ready to drive.
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make
Brett Foote
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!
Michael S. Palmer
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home
Verdad Gallardo
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?
Brett Foote
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Ford Trucks Coming to Mecum Indy 2026
Brett Foote
5 Best / 5 Worst Ford Truck Wheels of All Time
Joe Kucinski
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 200
Likes: 0
From: Leavenworth Washington
well it takes a good 30-45 min with high idle set to 1750 and being plugged in all night, before its comfortable to sit in.
that is with an artic cold weather package. tranny heater, block heater, batt blanket, trickle charger.
you should come and visit, its only -34 outside right now.
that is with an artic cold weather package. tranny heater, block heater, batt blanket, trickle charger.
you should come and visit, its only -34 outside right now.
Postmaster
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 3,767
Likes: 1
Originally Posted by erik_bishop
well it takes a good 30-45 min with high idle set to 1750 and being plugged in all night, before its comfortable to sit in.
that is with an artic cold weather package. tranny heater, block heater, batt blanket, trickle charger.
you should come and visit, its only -34 outside right now.
that is with an artic cold weather package. tranny heater, block heater, batt blanket, trickle charger.
you should come and visit, its only -34 outside right now.
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 200
Likes: 0
From: Leavenworth Washington
Originally Posted by Orezona
I would visit in a heartbeat. Did you purchase you PSD in Alaska? If so, is the Artic package readily available up there?
yes the arctic package can be put on at any dealer or mech shop but it is cheaper to buy all the heaters n chargers from the parts store and install them your self.
what we do here on the slope is build a four plug electrical box and mount it under the hood some where and plug the tranny pan, oil pan, heater and batt blanket and trickle charger into it and run arctic ultraflex blue 10-3 with a lighted plug on the end.
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 144
Likes: 0
From: Massachusetts
Warming up the truck because it is cold out is not an issue for 99% of the days here in deep south Texas. I usually do take it easy when heading out in the mornings though. Lots of stop and go here so things warm up fairly quickly. I guess I am going about things the right way.
2000 xlt Ps; 114k; 2wd; auto
2000 xlt Ps; 114k; 2wd; auto
Logistics Pro
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 4,221
Likes: 3
I like to let mine sit until the temp needle moves at least some, and of course take it easy until it gets up to the normal spot, and I'm also mindful of the tranny and such being cold for a while. I find that if I let it sit and idle for 3-5 minutes, the engine gets up to normal much, much quicker than if I just jump in and drive after 20-30 seconds.
The couple times a year I'm in real cold temps, like zero degrees, I'll probably let it go 10-15 minutes or maybe more... probably until the high idle shuts off.
The couple times a year I'm in real cold temps, like zero degrees, I'll probably let it go 10-15 minutes or maybe more... probably until the high idle shuts off.
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 383
Likes: 0
Here in Ohio we have been in the 30's almost every night for a month. I plug in my block heater on a timer which runs for 3 hours. Then I start it with my remote start and let it run with heat on med fan for about 10-15 minutes.
My rule of thumb is if the frost, ice, or snow does not come off easily, it's still cold. By the time I get into the cab (even in the 20's) it is warm and up to NOT in 2 miles under 45mph.
My rule of thumb is if the frost, ice, or snow does not come off easily, it's still cold. By the time I get into the cab (even in the 20's) it is warm and up to NOT in 2 miles under 45mph.