Idling verses drive time

[2022 Tradesman]

Really? 1 hour of idle time is equivalent to 33 miles driving? 316 hours idle time is equivalent to over 10,000 MI! Wow! It's been exactly 2 years since I've purchased the truck. Hopefully new technology will substitute for my lack of knowledge concerning diesel motors. Speaking of new technology, don't do what I did. I had my keys in my pocket because you need to have the fob in the cab to start the motor but I forgot something in the house and while I was in the house I set my keys down while my truck was running and when I wanted to depart from my destination I couldn't find the keys because they were at the house!! Wah wah wah! A lot of the information I'm retaining about diesel engines is a bit overwhelming and I'm beginning to think maybe I shouldn't have cut my auto shop class when I was attending high School..... That's two wah wah wah. It's okay though, you can't learn everything in one day. I just did the math on some information I read on idling hours. Somebody stated that you should only be 16% to 20% idle hours of your total running hours on the engine. I'm twice over the limit! I guess no more idle time, start it up and go. I'm apparently averaging 27.19% in totals. I don't sit around and idle out of my truck, I never did, and when I do I find myself idling for too long I apply the fast idol options if I'm not currently driving on the road because it will only engage while it's in park.. It's never too late to make precautionary adjustments. One day I will soon master this diesel engine knowledge. Diesels are meant to last, so no worries right...?..... right??! Maybe I should trade in this 3/4 ton truck for a moped? Electric moped! No more worries about idling and soot and short trips and so on... Save a truck, drive a scooter!

 

[tron67j]

Um, wow(?). You should start your truck and go; why do you need to idle your diesel for so long? Are you sleeping in it at a truck stop all night long? Your area doesn't get that cold most of the year to need to idle before driving, if you are concerned there are options other than running the engine.

Are you towing heavy loads in the mountains on a regular basis? Maybe a gasser is an option for you. You don't say what your normal usage is and when/where/what you are towing.

 

[Choupique]

Don't even look at that screen. Just use it like you want/need to. Use the high idle function when you need to idle for extended periods.

I know the old body styles have issues with the drive hours resetting itself, maybe that's still happening as well.

 

[2022 Tradesman]

Thanks!