idle vs shutdown
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Senior User
Joined: Sep 2006
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From: Upstate NY
idle vs shutdown
Has anyone ever figured out how long of an idle is still cost beneficial vs shutting off and restarting when your ready to move. Like with gas vehicles they say if you are going to idle for more than two minutes you should just shut it off.
-Dan
-Dan
Lead Driver
Joined: Sep 2006
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From: Cartersville, Ga
I know b/c of the emissions equipment on the 6.0L that it isnt good to idle the truck very long because it will carbon up everything. The theory with diesels have been that idleing was ok for them. Now with all the things like egr valves and other things, it can make your motor turn very problematic. I have seen people say not to idle these things no longer than 10-15 mins at a time. I always let mine idle for 2-3 mins every morning and if its cold a little longer.
Lead Driver
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From: Other side of the sunrise
If you do drive off after only idling a couple of minutes, before the engine is in the operating range temperature, make sure that you drive it like a gramma. Hard jamming a cold diesel engine is bad news. Drive very gently until your engine temp gauge rises above the lower line, at least.
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I'm not sure if the number are similar for the 6.0s, but a few folks did some testing on the 7.3 years back and found that it uses about 1/3 gal. of fuel per hour when idling at normal idle, and about 2/3 gal. per hour at a high idle (around 1100 rpm).
So say diesel is $3/gallon, and you idle for an hour... it'll run you about a buck. Idling for five minutes I guess would cost about 8 cents.
So say diesel is $3/gallon, and you idle for an hour... it'll run you about a buck. Idling for five minutes I guess would cost about 8 cents.
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Joined: Feb 2007
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From: South Jersey
in the winter, I start & Idle it for about 5 minutes, then drive like grandma till it is up to temp. Summer, I start it and go, like grandma, till it is up to temp.
For shut down. Around town, I just turn it off like a regular car. If I'm on the highway empty, I will idle for a couple of minutes then shut it off. When I tow my 10,000 pound 5th wheel, I pop the hood, and let it idle while I setup the camper, usually 5 minutes.
running into Dunkin Doughnuts to get a cup of coffee, I just let it idle so the AC Keeps the truck cool.
For shut down. Around town, I just turn it off like a regular car. If I'm on the highway empty, I will idle for a couple of minutes then shut it off. When I tow my 10,000 pound 5th wheel, I pop the hood, and let it idle while I setup the camper, usually 5 minutes.
running into Dunkin Doughnuts to get a cup of coffee, I just let it idle so the AC Keeps the truck cool.
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From: Upstate NY
I am wondering about the time I am driving around town and I have to make a stop for something or talk to somebody and I don't know if I should wait a minute and just shut the truck off or just let it idle while I do what I got to do which could take more than ten minutes. I was wondering what the cost difference is in letting it idle for 10 or fifteen minutes vs. shutting it off and restarting it ten minutes later.
For gas vehicles it is if you are going to idle for more than 2 minutes it is cheaper fuel wise and wear and tear wise to shut it off and restart later.
For gas vehicles it is if you are going to idle for more than 2 minutes it is cheaper fuel wise and wear and tear wise to shut it off and restart later.
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Hotshot
Joined: Dec 2003
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From: Stuttgart, Ar
If you're running around doing errands and have short stops then IMHO it's better to let it idle for 2-3 minutes than shut down and restart. Definitely try not to let it idle more than is absolutely necessary as the coke/carbon buildup is just killer on the emissions systems in a stock truck and IS just a waste of fuel.
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From: Las Vega$
if you are running errands, and constantly stopping places for no longer than about 20 minutes, i would say leave it running. the fuel is not going to cost you that much that you would go broke. also remember one of the worst things you can do to your motor is START it 
Jäger
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From: Northern Arizona
Install an Exhaust Gas Temperature gauge (Pyrometer/EGT) and it will tell you when the turbo has cooled enough to shut down. Most guys wait until it's below 400 degrees before shutting down, some wait until 350 degrees which just takes a minute, maybe two minutes if you're towing heavy. That's with the temp gauge sender mounted in the drivers side exhaust manifold.
I've got ISSPRO gauges on my PSD, EGT, trans temp and boost.
I've got ISSPRO gauges on my PSD, EGT, trans temp and boost.
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From: Las Vega$
Originally Posted by Kepler4
Install an Exhaust Gas Temperature gauge (Pyrometer/EGT) and it will tell you when the turbo has cooled enough to shut down. Most guys wait until it's below 400 degrees before shutting down, some wait until 350 degrees which just takes a minute, maybe two minutes if you're towing heavy. That's with the temp gauge sender mounted in the drivers side exhaust manifold.
I've got ISSPRO gauges on my PSD, EGT, trans temp and boost.
I've got ISSPRO gauges on my PSD, EGT, trans temp and boost.
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When i am running around town doing errands, i simply leave it running. On the highway, towing the boat, i let it idle for several minutes and then shut it off. I usually keep an eye on the turbo gauge to see how much i use it and let it cool down. 90 or hotter degree weather, truck stays on with the AC on high...
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From: Las Vega$
Originally Posted by lupe803
When i am running around town doing errands, i simply leave it running. On the highway, towing the boat, i let it idle for several minutes and then shut it off. I usually keep an eye on the turbo gauge to see how much i use it and let it cool down. 90 or hotter degree weather, truck stays on with the AC on high...