Warming up the engine
Logistics Pro
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 4,221
Likes: 3
It is never necessary, and is completely up to you. All the owners manual even mentions is being sure to wait 10 seconds before raising the RPMs (should see the oil pressure dummy gauge go up by then).
I personally tend to wait at least 30 seconds any time, even if I just shut it down a half hour ago and it's still plenty warm, just to give it time to get oil circulated throughout the engine. If it's cold, I like to wait at least until the temp needle moves up a bit from the very bottom, and prefer to wait until it's up a bit into the lower range... maybe 3-5 minutes normally. If it's real cold, like below freezing, I'll probably wait 10-15, although I'm only in that environment for a few days out of the year.
Remember that if you let the engine get a little warm before driving, that the rest of the truck is still cold (driveline/tranny) so drive accordingly.
Some folks do not like to idle at all before driving, but prefer to just startup, wait for oil pressure, and go. That's fine, too... it's really personal preference.
I personally tend to wait at least 30 seconds any time, even if I just shut it down a half hour ago and it's still plenty warm, just to give it time to get oil circulated throughout the engine. If it's cold, I like to wait at least until the temp needle moves up a bit from the very bottom, and prefer to wait until it's up a bit into the lower range... maybe 3-5 minutes normally. If it's real cold, like below freezing, I'll probably wait 10-15, although I'm only in that environment for a few days out of the year.
Remember that if you let the engine get a little warm before driving, that the rest of the truck is still cold (driveline/tranny) so drive accordingly.
Some folks do not like to idle at all before driving, but prefer to just startup, wait for oil pressure, and go. That's fine, too... it's really personal preference.
Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 14,541
Likes: 2
From: Dallas-Ft. Worth
Originally Posted by powerstroked162
I start it up and floor board it through out the neighbor hood even when its freezing temps, lol
Cowboy Steve
Cowboy Steve
Postmaster
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 3,658
Likes: 0
From: Ellensburg, Washington
I was just kidding. The turbinator wouldn't last very long after something like thatt. It would be fun to blast through the neighborhood at full tilt at 5am and see what kind of reactions I would get
Cowboy Steve
Cowboy Steve
Logistics Pro
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 3,884
Likes: 180
From: Morgan Hill, CA
I'd recommend running it for 10-15 mins before getting heavy on the throttle. That will get your truck up to 160-180 degrees. If you have Powdered Metal Rods, this is really cheap insurance.
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Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 14,541
Likes: 2
From: Dallas-Ft. Worth
Originally Posted by powerstroked162
I was just kidding. The turbinator wouldn't last very long after something like thatt. It would be fun to blast through the neighborhood at full tilt at 5am and see what kind of reactions I would get
Cowboy Steve
Cowboy Steve
Okay, I'll get off my soapbox now. I now return you to your regularly scheduled shenanigans...
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Postmaster
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 3,658
Likes: 0
From: Ellensburg, Washington
Sounds like a F'd up situation you got yourself. I'll think of some prank you can play on the ol buzzard. he'll never blow that horn again. i'll let ya know what I come up with. Muahaha, I promise it wont result in death
Cowboy Steve
Cowboy Steve
Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 14,541
Likes: 2
From: Dallas-Ft. Worth
The last time he woke me up, I d@mn near walked over there in my boxers with rampant case of bed-head to give him a piece of my mind. (Un?)fortunately, I woke up enough to realize my state of (un)dress and stopped short of the front door...
I've been away for the last 4 months, so it hasn't happened for a while. When I get back, if it happens again I'll start taking suggestions...
I've been away for the last 4 months, so it hasn't happened for a while. When I get back, if it happens again I'll start taking suggestions...
Post Fiend
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 5,497
Likes: 7
From: Central, Al
Sounds like its time for some remote control train horns there Izzy.....................LOL
Warm up 10 -15 seconds just to make sure the oil in the top end is up to full pressure.
When its below 45 degrees I let it warm about 2 minutes.
Warm up 10 -15 seconds just to make sure the oil in the top end is up to full pressure.
When its below 45 degrees I let it warm about 2 minutes.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,852
Likes: 39
Originally Posted by amiller93
Sounds like its time for some remote control train horns there Izzy.....................LOL
Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 10,600
Likes: 3
From: Carhenge
Originally Posted by CPT_Diesel
When is it necessary to warm up the engine before driving? Only in really cold conditions? Or is it good to idle a bit before driving?
Originally Posted by Izzy351
Then there's the ********* that picks up somone from accross the street at 7:15 in the morning that's too friggin' lazy to walk up to the door and blows the GD horn instead
Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 11,892
Likes: 2
From: Middle Tennessee
Originally Posted by clux
JMO, but if you're not up by 7:15, you deserve a wake up call