Cold starts

So it has been in the single digits here on minneapolis and I have been hearing different things about warming my truck. I plug it in at night on a timer so I figure I start it scrape ice and go. I can't bring myself to let it idle more than 5 min even if I'm leaving work and it's been sitting not plugged in. Am I safe in thinking that as long as I start seeing the oil pressure gauge start moving its safe to drive? I always circle the block before getting on the freeway to make sure it's got a little heat. I just don't see the point in letting it idle.

I ask because all of my neighbors seem to think they need to idle their dodges for 20 min or they will grenade...

It's a good ideal to warm it up. I do it to atleast 100 degree coolant temp. But if I don't have time or something I willtake it very easy and try not to work the motor to hard while it's cold. I may be over cautious but it's not worth it to me to risk something going bad or to risk helping something fail prematurely

Warming up a diesel is a good idea! I don't even move my truck until I see my coolant above 70.

The block heater gets my truck to about 90-100 so I just idle for about 2 minutes. I still take it easy until it's about 150-160.

I don't have a monitor yet so I have no way of actually seeing my ect/eot yet. Should have my exhaust and tuner installed by the end of the month though.

ckrueg said:

The block heater gets my truck to about 90-100 so I just idle for about 2 minutes. I still take it easy until it's about 150-160.

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+1, no or low boost until 160 and H&S defuels turn off.

My block heater heats coolant to 105 deg, I 2nd what the others said keep boost low till 150 deg or so.

I jump in and drive no matter what the temp. But I take it easy until water temp is 185+

I let the truck idle 10-20 mins.
Unless in a rush, won't pull out driveway till at least 90° and take it really easy till 165° best I can.

Only had to get on it once under 165° think it was about 140°
Had to move out the way real quick car flying over crest of a hill.

I have had it plugged in each night then head around the corner to get coffee, pop it into high idle for the 5 min I am in there, then drive the 5 miles to the freeway. Don't have my tuner yet (should be here by wed) so I have to go off the dash gauges. That's been my morning routine so far this winter. I still see no reason to idle for 15-20 min when it's 4* out. May as well just drive and take it easy around the block a few times.

Ill admit I just want the seats and heat to warm up a little. Lol
Plus as a rookie I figured better safe the sorry.
But know I know.


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