Cold weather warm up
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 1,385
Likes: 1
From: Mercer County, OH
I fire it up and lay a brick on the gas pedal. Then I go back in the house for a cup of coffee.(It really warms up fast that way) 
But seriously, I just take it easy for the first few miles.
But seriously, I just take it easy for the first few miles.
Posting Guru
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 2,246
Likes: 2
From: Hawkeye Country
the only time i let the truck warm up for a few minutes is if i have to scrap the windows, i'll start the truck and let it run while i brush the snow off.
otherwise, if i am driving my 86 i start it up and take off. its carbed but ive converted it to a manual choke. when its cold out i start it up, leave the choke pulled out and let the truck idle down the road at 25 mph. usally by the time i hit the stop light, maybe 5 minutes from my house, the truck is warm enough to crank the heater and shut the choke off.
if im driving the 96 f150, regardless of the weather, i'll start it up and let it run 20-30 seconds untill the idle drops.
otherwise, if i am driving my 86 i start it up and take off. its carbed but ive converted it to a manual choke. when its cold out i start it up, leave the choke pulled out and let the truck idle down the road at 25 mph. usally by the time i hit the stop light, maybe 5 minutes from my house, the truck is warm enough to crank the heater and shut the choke off.
if im driving the 96 f150, regardless of the weather, i'll start it up and let it run 20-30 seconds untill the idle drops.
Elder User
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 788
Likes: 0
From: Cottage Grove, Minnesota
I start mine while in the house (remote start). If the temps are in the 20s I let mine warm up for about 5 min. When it gets colder I let it run about 10-15 min to get it warm.
Last edited by skilife17; Jan 31, 2007 at 08:30 PM.
Posting Guru
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 2,452
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by Steina
For you folks who prefer long warm-up periods; wouldn't it be cheaper (and easier on the equipment) to use a block heater on a timer?
Steve
Steve
As for damaging the cats, I've let my vehicles warm up 10-20 minutes in the cold winter all the time and the company I used to work for we used to leave the truck's idleing all the time and I've never heard of any problems with cats.
I have my block heater set on a timer to kick on about 4 hours before I go to work.
Thread Starter
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Junior User
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 69
Likes: 0
From: Boothbay Harbor Maine
it is like 100ft to my truck so running a cord to a heater to be damaged in the snow and ice would be more of a hassle. The only reason I let it run that long is so it can get warm on the inside. I spend all day (8-12 hours) in the freezing cold. I like the ride to and from work to be warm. Most of the time I have to go get my cooler and thermos out of it anyway so I just start it while I am there. It doesn't seem to burn that much gas, but for the hell of it I am going to mark the needle when I start and look at it when I leave and see if there is a mager difference.
More Turbo
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 687
Likes: 1
I always used a block heater during the winters in michigan in my Toronado Diesel,
but it would'nt even show on the temp gauge. It made starting easy, though.
My current vehicle idles at 1.5k until warm, and it slams the transmission when
starting out too soon. Also, I like at least some warm air starting thru the vents
for the drive to work or back. Where I work, we use E-150's, and are idled every
day and night for 4-5 hours for two shifts per day, and the bodies wear out long
before the engine and cats do. They are idled to run the heater or a/c.
but it would'nt even show on the temp gauge. It made starting easy, though.
My current vehicle idles at 1.5k until warm, and it slams the transmission when
starting out too soon. Also, I like at least some warm air starting thru the vents
for the drive to work or back. Where I work, we use E-150's, and are idled every
day and night for 4-5 hours for two shifts per day, and the bodies wear out long
before the engine and cats do. They are idled to run the heater or a/c.
Elder User
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 788
Likes: 0
From: Cottage Grove, Minnesota
I used my block heater last night. What a difference it made in starting the truck. I know it'll be used this weekend lows are supposed to get to nearly -20 here in MN. This the coldest it has gotten here in about 4 years.
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Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 14,413
Likes: 3
From: Sarnia, Ontario, CANADA!
I have my car in my garage (unheated) and my block heater plugged in (turns on 3 hours before I leave for work). I still usually let it "warm up" for a minute or so or until the RPMs drop a bit.
-Matt
-Matt
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,413
Likes: 14
From: cape may county NJ
With my bronco and my 86 150 I just wait till the fast idle comes down.My bronco is a cold beast takes forever to warm up(heat) my 84 with a 460 I have to sit in there for a couple of min with my foot on the gas but it warms up faster then both EFI trucks.my 150 as soon as the idle drops your good to go.
