warming up truck in winter weather?
#26
#27
The block heater is a good idea if you live in a cold climate area, if nothing else it will save fuel as well as prevent some cold start wear. When oil is cold it takes longer for the oil pump to pump it thoughout the engine. I have also heard and agree with the idea that on an engine with both aluminum and iron parts, waiting for the engine to gain temperature may prolong the life of the gaskets.
Automatic transmission fluid is a super light oil and isn't as affected by cold as motor oil, and the converter and pump always circulates some fluid even in park, so that with the added heat of the engine and exaust does warm the trans when in park.
I always run all of my vehicles long enough to get at least some warm air out of the heater, at least enough that I can drive without the glass fogging up.
On any truck it is important to take it easy when its cold for a few miles simply to help warm up the gear lube in the rear axle though.
Cold weather can contribute to steel and iron failures too, like any thing else, the cold makes it more brittle so to speak. Cold temperature operation can also allow the blow-by gases to condense in the crankcase. Thus putting water and acids in the oil which can lead to premature wear.
Pistons are made of aluminum and the block of iron, so they too expand at different rates and the machined tolerances in an engine are designed for proper operation at higher temperatures. Keep in mind that there is greater piston to cylinder wall clearance on a cold motor due to the fact that both are made of different metals. When the engine warms up, the alloy pistons expand more than the iron block.
While new vehicles do run better cold and handle cold starts better, it will always be better for the longevity of your engine to let it warm up a bit, even when it's not below freezing.
I would gladly sacrifice a bit of fuel to prevent any unneeded wear and tear on my engine. Most of these newer trucks run super clean as well, so added emissions isn't a concern either.
Automatic transmission fluid is a super light oil and isn't as affected by cold as motor oil, and the converter and pump always circulates some fluid even in park, so that with the added heat of the engine and exaust does warm the trans when in park.
I always run all of my vehicles long enough to get at least some warm air out of the heater, at least enough that I can drive without the glass fogging up.
On any truck it is important to take it easy when its cold for a few miles simply to help warm up the gear lube in the rear axle though.
Cold weather can contribute to steel and iron failures too, like any thing else, the cold makes it more brittle so to speak. Cold temperature operation can also allow the blow-by gases to condense in the crankcase. Thus putting water and acids in the oil which can lead to premature wear.
Pistons are made of aluminum and the block of iron, so they too expand at different rates and the machined tolerances in an engine are designed for proper operation at higher temperatures. Keep in mind that there is greater piston to cylinder wall clearance on a cold motor due to the fact that both are made of different metals. When the engine warms up, the alloy pistons expand more than the iron block.
While new vehicles do run better cold and handle cold starts better, it will always be better for the longevity of your engine to let it warm up a bit, even when it's not below freezing.
I would gladly sacrifice a bit of fuel to prevent any unneeded wear and tear on my engine. Most of these newer trucks run super clean as well, so added emissions isn't a concern either.
#29
this morning was the first morning i let it warm up in the driveway... it was about 24 out when i left for work... i started the truck up, put on the heater, and let it sit for 5 mins while i went back inside and skimmed thru today's paper real fast... went back outside to a nice warm truck...
letting it warm up is totally worth it in my opinion.. i don't care about the little amount of fuel it's going to burn while idling in my driveway for 5 mins... it's worth it just getting into a warm truck! plus, my truck gets horrible gas mileage during the good seasons anyways, lol... no need to start worrying about it now.
letting it warm up is totally worth it in my opinion.. i don't care about the little amount of fuel it's going to burn while idling in my driveway for 5 mins... it's worth it just getting into a warm truck! plus, my truck gets horrible gas mileage during the good seasons anyways, lol... no need to start worrying about it now.
#30
#31
Usually I start mine up, get my smoke lit, and my seatbelt on then go. This morning it was about 5, and I had to pull the wifes car out front so I started it up and got in abou 2 minutes later.
I then drive abou 5 miles on city streets before I hit the freeway. I could get the freeway sooner, but Id rather take it easy in town for a bit before getting up to 70
I then drive abou 5 miles on city streets before I hit the freeway. I could get the freeway sooner, but Id rather take it easy in town for a bit before getting up to 70
#35
Originally Posted by HighRollerII
remote start baby..
push some buttons leave the heater on the night b4..never go outside but to climb into a warm truck..
we had to scrap today..i didnt..defrost on..melted away..
push some buttons leave the heater on the night b4..never go outside but to climb into a warm truck..
we had to scrap today..i didnt..defrost on..melted away..
I will never own a vehicle without remote start
Rocky
#37
I could care less if the car is cold when I get in it. If its less than 40 degrees out then I will give my car enogh warm up time to see the temp needle move, then I take it easy for a few blocks until the heater starts to feel warm.
The truck is a different story. I start it, it dies, I start it again, if im lucky it will stay on, but I have to hold the gas to make it high idle (damn thing worked fine until it got cold), then after it stops spewing its huge cloud of unburned feul, and its just oil smoke, I can go. Otherwise it'll just stall as soon as I put it in gear.
The truck is a different story. I start it, it dies, I start it again, if im lucky it will stay on, but I have to hold the gas to make it high idle (damn thing worked fine until it got cold), then after it stops spewing its huge cloud of unburned feul, and its just oil smoke, I can go. Otherwise it'll just stall as soon as I put it in gear.
#38
You have an '84, right? It should have an automatic choke and high idle. That was the one thing that actually worked properly on my old '84. If it isn't, then fixing it should be pretty simple. It is just a temperature driven vacuum solenoid.
Oh, and for those who's trucks are not warming up after 5 minutes or so, you might want to replace your thermostat. It is probably stuck open.
Oh, and for those who's trucks are not warming up after 5 minutes or so, you might want to replace your thermostat. It is probably stuck open.
Last edited by FireRanger; 12-06-2006 at 09:11 AM.
#39
It depends what kind of mood I'm in. If I don't mind sitting in a freezing truck that day, I'll let it warm up for about 10 seconds before putting it into gear. If I'm feeling sluggish, I'll go start it up, put the defroster on, eat some breakfast, get a shower, drop a load, then about 40 minutes later go drive to work. But really, warming it up isn't necessary for engine life. I use synthetic oil (mobil 1) for whatever help it may give me.
My old 02 ranger came with a block heater and battery warmer...I never used it though.
My old 02 ranger came with a block heater and battery warmer...I never used it though.
#40
Originally Posted by FireRanger
You have an '84, right? It should have an automatic choke and high idle. That was the one thing that actually worked properly on my old '84. If it isn't, then fixing it should be pretty simple. It is just a temperature driven vacuum solenoid.
Oh, and for those who's trucks are not warming up after 5 minutes or so, you might want to replace your thermostat. It is probably stuck open.
Oh, and for those who's trucks are not warming up after 5 minutes or so, you might want to replace your thermostat. It is probably stuck open.
~HJ
#42
#44
#47
#48
Originally Posted by CadiLLaPimPin
It does, I just havent felt like finding out whats wrong with it yet. Every vacuum operated part in that thing is shot... someday ill fix it. :P
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