Cold Starts

[sjl2725]

Possibly a silly or even 'basic' question, but I have to ask...

How long do you guys let your trucks warm up in the morning? Not concerned about getting the heater warm, but to get the juices flowing. This truck has to last me a LONG, L-O-N-G time and I'm sure tuning is a little harder on it than running it stock.

It doesn't get THAT cold here, rarely in the teens, usually hovers around freezing in the winter months, but I always wonder how long I should let it run. Today it was about 37, and I let it run for maybe 60 seconds and seemed to run rough and had alot of extra chatter. - Prompted me to post this question.

[08stroker250]

I won't drive mine until my trans fluid temp is up to at least 75. Usually by then, ECT and EOT are close to 100. From there it doesn't take them long to get completely up to operating temp once the truck is driven.

[Jacob_24]

Same here. I'll let it idle until it's around 100 degrees. Then take it easy until engine reaches higher temps. With a tuned engine, they tend to run like crap when cold.

[Grunnsetning]

I hit my remote start as I am grabbing my stuff to leave the house which gives it about 5 minutes, sometimes less sometimes more. But it hasnt gotten cold yet either.
I have a block heater wired but it says you should wait at least 60 seconds before tarting AFTER unplugging the heater so I am going to put a timer on it to shut off about 15 mins before i would ever crank it. I only use the heater if its below freezing which isnt often in louisiana.
Everytime I start the truck I remote start as I am going to leave work so it gets at LEAST a minute or so mid day or evening, usually more. I don't want it so long that it reaches the excessive idleing mark either.

[08stroker250]

You don't need a block heater on these trucks unless you get below 0 degrees Fahrenheit. They have zero issues cranking in extreme cold (32 down to 0) unless the batteries are weak.

[Black Beauty]

I start it up and take right off. I drive it very very easy though. My ect this morning was 44 when I put her in drive. I think its just a waste of fuel to let it sit and idle. as long as you drive it extremly easy til it warms up. I dont think there will be an issue. I may be wrong though. im no expert.....

[jac97psd]

Originally Posted by Black Beauty

I start it up and take right off. I drive it very very easy though. My ect this morning was 44 when I put her in drive. I think its just a waste of fuel to let it sit and idle. as long as you drive it extremly easy til it warms up. I dont think there will be an issue. I may be wrong though. im no expert.....

I do the same thing just in warm weather. Here lately I have turn it on and let it idle to warm up the engine plus to warm the inside of the truck. I have to take my kids to school and they hate riding in a cold truck.

[Black Beauty]

Your to nice. That'l make them tough ridin in a cold truck!

[jac97psd]

Originally Posted by Black Beauty

Your to nice. That'l make them tough ridin in a cold truck!

Well maybe when they are a little bit older I might be tougher on them but they are only 5 & 6 years old.

[08stroker250]

It's easier to stretch head bolts when the motor is cold from what I have heard, but that would only hold true if you beat on your truck before it gets up to operating temp.