its 30-35 here in the central valley, how long do you guys let your trucks warm up before taking off. I work 7miles from home so its not on the road very long!

 

From what I've read on here extended idle warm-ups are over rated. I'd suggest throwing a beach/bath towel over the grill, letting it idle just until the defrost/heater air starts to feel warm, then drive it gently under 2k rpms until it comes up to operating temperature. I think you can waste alot of fuel waiting for an idle to bring your truck up to operating temp.

I started carrying the towel a couple of winters ago. It may look a little funny when you go out to start it up, but you'd be surprised how much it helps.

 

When it starts to dip outside I plug mine in. I have even hooked the extion cord to a timmer. Starts easyer and you don't need to let it set and idle for ever.A cool 20 tonight.

 

I'd be more worried about not getting it warm enough than getting it going. I'd say wait ten, maybe 15 seconds before you start easing it down the road. The key is to not get on it, probably your whole trip as the engine, trans, and rear gears really won't ever heat up.

 

Yeah, 7 miles, not much of a chance unless you go get breakfast or drive around. Just don't jump on it. The heating and cooling cycle is your biggest enemy. Under those conditions, the engine will not get hot enough to evaporate all the condensation formed in the pan from driving home last night, or that short trip this morning. Then do it today, etc etc.

This water will end up in the bottom of the oil pan. It is normally evaporated via heat from the engine oil and expelled through the CCV system but will not occor unless the oil gets hot enough.

My solution, that overrated warmup cycle under high idle, then I get on it to heat things up. I have a company car, so when I start the truck, which is rare these days, I really try to heat it up. My hunting escapades are 1/4 mile around the corner.

 

Couple similar threads for more reading material:

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/5...aking-off.html

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/5...for-turbo.html


Might not use as much as you'd think ... The 7.3L uses around 1/3 gallon of fuel an hour at normal idle, and around 2/3 gallon an hour at elevated idle (1200 rpm). So if fuel were back up to $3.00/gallon, you'd use $1 or $2 in an hour, depending if you're on normal or high idle.

 

I also have a short drive to work ( 10 miles) so when it is down around freezing I let my truck warm up until the high idle kicks in. I also have a winter front so the truck warms up faster and runs a little warmer which helps get rid of the condensation in the motor.