Facts about diesel ideling

allen8106 wrote:

DutchmenSport wrote:
...

I'm pretty sure theres no requirement to wait for it to drop to low idle before you drive.

Probably not, but if taking off on fast idle, backing out of the garage, or whatever, have to ride the brakes harder. Usually, it drops from fast to slow quickly, like ... 60 seconds. By the time I get my seat belt buckled and radio set, it's usually dropped low.

The important thing with idle, and my dad always said this (with gasoline engines), is to run the engine just long enough the oil circulates to the top of the engine, as it drains down when the engine is shut off. And that takes only a couple seconds to happen. Basically, been following his advise ever since. The only reason to run a longer idle is to warm up the passenger area or defrost windows in my opinion.

DutchmenSport wrote:
I have found with my truck (3500 diesel), if I start the engine it will initially run on high idle. Once the engine reaches it's desired temperature, it will shift to low idle. When it does that, I's OK to drive it.

I have found, in the deep winter months, when outside temperatures are 0 degrees (F) or below, by plugging in the engine block heater, there is really no need for any idle time. Just wait for it to switch from high idle, to low idle, and then it's OK to drive it.

I have found that letting the engine idle longer until the cab is warm enough my toes aren't freezing is really not necessary with my truck. When temperatures get around 36 degrees, my truck has a built in separate heating system that warm the cab heater. It run on diesel fuel, same as the engine. The warms the cab much faster, even on the coldest of days. Combined with electric engine block heater, no need for long idle, once it switches from the high idle to the low. Even in zero degree weather, it's ready to go and the cab is not sub-freezing my fingers off!

In the Summer months, my idle time is usually the time it takes to hit the remote start to the time I get to the truck, And when camping, it idles when hitching long enough for sure.

But, leave it to Indiana to set the record straight!

Makes me wonder about law enforcement in California? Don't have anything better to do than sit there with a stop watch, timing how long a truck is sitting there idle? Seems like they could be "out there" catching real criminals!

I'm pretty sure theres no requirement to wait for it to drop to low idle before you drive.

DutchmenSport wrote:
I have found with my truck (3500 diesel), if I start the engine it will initially run on high idle. Once the engine reaches it's desired temperature, it will shift to low idle. When it does that, I's OK to drive it.

If you put the truck in gear it will shift to low idle---it's OK to drive.

I have found with my truck (3500 diesel), if I start the engine it will initially run on high idle. Once the engine reaches it's desired temperature, it will shift to low idle. When it does that, I's OK to drive it.

I have found, in the deep winter months, when outside temperatures are 0 degrees (F) or below, by plugging in the engine block heater, there is really no need for any idle time. Just wait for it to switch from high idle, to low idle, and then it's OK to drive it.

I have found that letting the engine idle longer until the cab is warm enough my toes aren't freezing is really not necessary with my truck. When temperatures get around 36 degrees, my truck has a built in separate heating system that warm the cab heater. It run on diesel fuel, same as the engine. The warms the cab much faster, even on the coldest of days. Combined with electric engine block heater, no need for long idle, once it switches from the high idle to the low. Even in zero degree weather, it's ready to go and the cab is not sub-freezing my fingers off!

In the Summer months, my idle time is usually the time it takes to hit the remote start to the time I get to the truck, And when camping, it idles when hitching long enough for sure.

But, leave it to Indiana to set the record straight!

Makes me wonder about law enforcement in California? Don't have anything better to do than sit there with a stop watch, timing how long a truck is sitting there idle? Seems like they could be "out there" catching real criminals!

Also to add that here in California there is a 5 minute idle law.You can get a ticket if your found idling over 5 minutes. I drive a Semi here in cali. and know a few who have tagged by the man for it.Our Freightliners even come from the factory with a 5 min shut down if it idles over 5 minutes.