Any Reason To Get Truck Warmed Up?

[Quint]

I have a short, three mile commute to work. When the temps are below freezing, the thermostat doesn't even get close to opening. I typically get to work with the coolant temp in the 150-160 degree range.

Is there anything bad about operating the truck 75% of the time in winter where the engine/coolant never reach full operating temperature?

 

[Ixxblitzxx]

Interested to see what others say, Subscribed.

 

[14hemiexpress]

The one thing I know is that you will retain water/condensation on your exhaust witch over time will corrode it even though out exhaust is stainless. I don't know if it would hurt anything else but you may consider chattering your oil little more often.

 

[Statcher1]

I'm the same way. My truck has lived it's life like this for all of 4years with no bad side effects of it. I'd say there's nothing wrong with it. Just don't drive it hard during that time. Until it gets fully warmed up.


Sent from the Rocket in my Pocket

 

[tsc]

Personally, I don't start and idle my car for more then 2-3 minutes. But honestly, unless you're idling for a long period of time it's not really long enough to get it to operating temp (plus, you'll have to put the truck into gear, to get the tranny gears moving around)


If I were in your case, it would give me an excuse to bomb down the highway once a week, to get everything up to operating temp, have a lunch out and drive it back home.

Even idling and with your short commute, I don't think it will get the truck up to temp.


How cold temperatures affect your car - WHEELS.ca

 

[charonblk07]

You will need to maintain your oil at a shorter interval; you will end up with a much higher water and gas content because the engine isn't at tolerance temperature. Another thing to keep in mind is your catalytic converters can begin to plug up over time since they don't get hot enough to burn any deposits off.

 

[danam]

I have a short, three mile commute to work. When the temps are below freezing, the thermostat doesn't even get close to opening. I typically get to work with the coolant temp in the 150-160 degree range.

Is there anything bad about operating the truck 75% of the time in winter where the engine/coolant never reach full operating temperature?

yeah I am sorta in the same boat, few miles from work. Seems like it take my 4.7 forever to drop idle down, my 5.7 charger does it in about 15 to 20 seconds.

After reading these post in this thread, im gonna just wait and let the 4.7 warm up completely

 

[tripleplay]

...wait for it... and install a catch can ??
I am surprised by the amount of oil that collects over a few weeks, I do a lot of stop light/in town short trips as well.

 

[Quint]

Ahhhh....the catch can debate. I'm not surprised that it headed this direction. I'm not in either camp but have read about the pros and cons.

I do get her out on the highway usually once per week or more, but it does sound like I should do a couple hot laps on the Minnesota autobahn before hitting work.

On a side note, it's crazy how a few variables make my mileage nose dive. I usually get about 20mpg highway driving and mid-teens in the city during summer. This winter I've averaged around 12-13mpg with the cold temps, short commute, 2-3min remote start idling, and winter gas.

 

[sausec17]

Sub'd

 

[ExpressRules]

As a few others have said, change the oil more often. Short drives that don't allow full warm up is considered extreme (severe) service so follow the recommended intervals in your manual. Also, it was already stated that there will be more condensation in the exhaust system which will shorten its life.

 

[Housemuzik52]

I've heard you don't have to, if I don't I just drive pretty slow till it warms up.

 

[THETANK]

I am being serious here when I say this but I would take a bike (I have biked in -30/snow) or jog/walk to work. Biking might take 20-30 minutes and walking would take an hour tops. Cheers and happy motoring.

 

[Cleave]

This winter I've averaged around 12-13mpg with the cold temps, short commute, 2-3min remote start idling, and winter gas.

Glad I'm not the only one experiencing this.

 

[SyN]

As often as you can...Get her out on the highway or interstate for at least a 10-15 mile run... Get that oil up over 190*F {200*F is better} for a period of time to evaporate the moisture that has built up in the oil as well as any fuel dilution--> also the Heat will help dissolve {Which will help} cook out any form of carbon contaminants...

Like others have stated-->You will need to change your oil more often {5K-6K}mile OCI...

 

[crazzywolfie]

i would say the short drives are not great but as long as you at least give your vehicle 2-3 minutes for the oil to start flowing and lubricating things then i would say it should be fine. my neighbor starts his car and immediately drives right away most days and i swear it almost sounds like his engine is dying.

On a side note, it's crazy how a few variables make my mileage nose dive. I usually get about 20mpg highway driving and mid-teens in the city during summer. This winter I've averaged around 12-13mpg with the cold temps, short commute, 2-3min remote start idling, and winter gas.

i find a lot of the bad fuel mileage is from the winter fuel. this winter has been pretty mild. there has been a few trips in my 93 that i would have got some decent fuel mileage on if i had been running summer fuel but didn't with the winter fuel. i haven't seen anything higher than 14mpg since October but been sitting at about 10-12mpg lately. summer i can usually sit at 14-16mpg on regular bases doing my normal driving.

 

[CVX20]

Personally if there were two identical used trucks sitting on a lot I'd buy the one that was driven 50 miles a day before I bought one that did 5 miles a day.JMHO.

 

[Zeak]

Ha, I bet your truck will not show any ill effects from your use as long as you own it. Use it to fit your needs. Maybe it will not be in the same category as the guy that puts 300k on his in 3 yrs with nothing but highway but use it how it fits your needs and you will be just fine. If your truck can't handle it neither will any other vehicle and you may have to switch to horseback. The moral of the story is don't sweat it and just keep on keeping on with your life, it's to short to worry about whether or not your truck can drive 6 miles a day.

 

[sbarron]

You will need to maintain your oil at a shorter interval; you will end up with a much higher water and gas content because the engine isn't at tolerance temperature. Another thing to keep in mind is your catalytic converters can begin to plug up over time since they don't get hot enough to burn any deposits off.

Very important!

 

[Informal]

If it's cold, and your truck is parked outside... You get into a warmer vehicle.

That's all I can come up with.