General Questions

[TWhaylen]

So after reading through this site for the past few month's I have come to learn a few things but there are two things that I am not sure on and would like some advice. First, I have read that one of the things that gives you bad fuel economy with these trucks is letting them idle for a longer period of time. Second I have heard that since these trucks hate the cold that you should let them warm up a bit before hitting the road giving them a chance to build up some heat. So I am curious on where the median between the two is because I like giving the truck a chance to warm up (idle in driveway) in cold weather so I don't run it hard right off the bat each morning but I also don't want to burn up my fuel economy each morning as I have it idle in the driveway for about 4 min. Is this just a damned if you do, damned if you don't? Thanks for any advice. Oh, I do plug the truck in for about 2 hrs. prior to use on those really cold mornings.

[2006PSDSD]

We live in the same state, and I'll tell you what I do. If I plug it in, I will just start it and disconnect the extension cord and go, even if it's 0*. I don't plug it in unless it get's colder than 35* or so, above that I just start it and go easy on her until she's warm

[POWERED SPARKLESS]

I would say that is plenty of time if you plug it in for a couple of hours. I can't say that I wait that much time, but can deffently tell the diffrence when I don't wait long enough. Plugging it makes a world of difference. Just don't slam the go go juice until you have good operating temps. The head gaskets don't like the high boost and the tranns will refuse to shift when cold.

[shu873]

IMO even if you plug it in, I'd still let it warm up for a few minutes prior to driving it. Gives all the fluids a chance to circulate and warm up. Yes, you will burn fuel to do this, but its just a fact of life. You can't have it both ways. In the winter, everything gets less mpg... I'd rather burn a couple extra gallons every week than cause premature wear to my drivetrain. The fact that you plug it in helps, you'd have to warm it up longer if you didn't.

[TWhaylen]

Originally Posted by POWERED SPARKLESS

I would say that is plenty of time if you plug it in for a couple of hours. I can't say that I wait that much time, but can deffently tell the diffrence when I don't wait long enough. Plugging it makes a world of difference. Just don't slam the go go juice until you have good operating temps. The head gaskets don't like the high boost and the tranns will refuse to shift when cold.

I know what you are talking about because last week I had the truck at work and it sat outside for about 8 hours in temperatures that were down in the teens. When I went out to start it up it fired up right away with a lot of force which I hope is normal but then when I went to drive away about 1 min. after starting it was VERY sluggish. It almost felt like the truck didn't want to go at all from it being so cold and trying to drive it right after starting. Right at that moment made me wish I had a gasser but of course after about 5 min. of driving it I lost that thought...lol

[POWERED SPARKLESS]

Originally Posted by TWhaylen

I know what you are talking about because last week I had the truck at work and it sat outside for about 8 hours in temperatures that were down in the teens. When I went out to start it up it fired up right away with a lot of force which I hope is normal but then when I went to drive away about 1 min. after starting it was VERY sluggish. It almost felt like the truck didn't want to go at all from it being so cold and trying to drive it right after starting. Right at that moment made me wish I had a gasser but of course after about 5 min. of driving it I lost that thought...lol

I have the same problem after going to work and letting it sit all day in the parking lot. Granted the temps don't get that cold here, but just baby it a little and be easy until she get warm.

I miss my 5.9 gasser Ram but wouldn't ever go back