I've been told that diesels required a 15 min. warmup time prior to driving. Is that true? I'm sure a warm up is required, but this long? I live about 4 miles from any highway, and the speed limit is 30mph until I reach the highway, which is then 55-60 mph. Any advice?

jim

 

Im also about five minutes from a highway.
I usually let mine ldle for about two or three minutes then take it easy before I get onto the freeway.
Iv also heard that letting the truck idle in Park, if an auto, doesnt let the fluid circulate.

 

let it run for a min. or 2 and then just take it easy. You'll here people talking about washing out the cylinder walls if let idle too long.

 

normally, I wait long enough for the oil pressure to build and then go....jsut dotn try to floor it or realy get into the skinny pedal until the engine has warmed up. But you'll do that a lot faster moving than you will just letting it idle.

 

I fast idle mine just long enough to make it sound fairly "happy" then go.

 

I let the engine idle for a minute or so in neutral to let the engine build oil pressure and to let the trans fluid circulate. I run the engine easy 'til the T stat opens up - nothing over 10 lbs boost until it is warm. After that, though, its awn!

 

If my grid heaters kick in let it idle till they click off then drive easy till temps warm up. Then it is pedal to the floor.

 

I'll turn it on, idle it in neutral for a minute then go. I've never hesitated to take it up to full power on the freeway before the thermostat's opened. That probably isn't the smartest thing, however...

Diesel's do take at least ten minutes to warm up, but they'll never get warm just by idleing. As long as you have oil pressure, wheich comes up in about 10seconds, drive it.

 

Wait for oil pressure, then drive gently until the engine is up to normal temp. I drive 1 block, then I have to get on a 55 mph road.

 

I just start mine and go. The only thing I let warm up is my race car. It wont run if you don't let it warm up.

 

What harm could you do by womping on it before it's up to temps? Just makes head and manifold cracks more likely?

 

I just put my foot to the pedal before I even crank it, and leave me foot there until I shut the engine off and am climbing out of the truck.

If I need to slow down I either push the clutch or push the gear lever into neutral and then use my left foot to work the brakes.

Worrying about warming it up and having to move you're right foot up and down on that pedal is just too much of a bother.

 

Bearing clearances are wider and the piston fit is looser. Stuff takes more of a pounding when the engine is cold. Also you are more likely to spit out the head gasket.

 

Sounds like a medium duty truck driver.

 

well its about 33 below 0 here today and i let mine idle for about 30 mins before moving it and its still cold as heck. So is that a bad thing to be doing to the truck letting it idle for so long