A friend of mine always lets his 2500 diesel idle while he makes a short run into the post office, store for a quick soda, etc. He says the salesman told him that starting and restarting a diesel was the worst thing you can do. Of course he locks it up, but I have never heard of this. Is this common practice?

What year? Old diesels it was fine to let it idle. Waste of fuel, but no harm. New diesels? Will kill the emission system in a big hurry.

I know two neighbors that do this on newer trucks. I asked and they say they have "always done that".Maybe a new (exaggerated) saying should start. "Old habits might kill new trucks."

addisonl wrote:I know two neighbors that do this on newer trucks. I asked and they say they have "always done that".Maybe a new (exaggerated) saying should start. "Old habits might kill new trucks."Really good saying!:B

How many times a day do you think the UPS home delivery diesel trucks get started and stopped a day? If it was hurting them, they wouldn't do it.Unless I need the engine heat - napping in the truck during a long winter drive, I never leave my run.Bill

Letting truck idle | Good Sam Community

66 Replies

rhagfo
Explorer III
Aug 22, 2016
Old habit, but if they only leave for about 5 minutes or less, allows the EGT to cool down, rather than a hot shutdown.

Today many Turbos are water cooled, where older were air cooled, best to let idle for a couple minutes before shutting down.
Trackrig
Explorer II
Aug 22, 2016
How many times a day do you think the UPS home delivery diesel trucks get started and stopped a day? If it was hurting them, they wouldn't do it.

Unless I need the engine heat - napping in the truck during a long winter drive, I never leave my run.

Bill
vic46
Explorer
Aug 22, 2016
addisonl wrote:
I know two neighbors that do this on newer trucks. I asked and they say they have "always done that".

Maybe a new (exaggerated) saying should start. "Old habits might kill new trucks."

Really good saying!:B
addisonl
Explorer
Aug 22, 2016
I know two neighbors that do this on newer trucks. I asked and they say they have "always done that".

Maybe a new (exaggerated) saying should start. "Old habits might kill new trucks."
donn0128
Explorer II
Aug 22, 2016
What year? Old diesels it was fine to let it idle. Waste of fuel, but no harm. New diesels? Will kill the emission system in a big hurry.
Mandalay_Parr
Explorer
Aug 22, 2016
No

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Letting truck idle

66 Replies

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