How long do you Idle?

I wait for the 1500 rpms warm-up idle to drop to the regular 7-800 rpms. That should allow the oil to cover all parts of the engine (properly)... Usually only about a minute. If its cold outside, ill wait 2-5 minutes if im not in a hurry.

 

Industry recommends 9sec.

 

This normally. Exception being really cold mornings when I'll run it 5-10 min before I leave to warm up and so any window defrosting needed.

 

at least 2 minutes but thats because I have an auto start

 

I'm already rolling down the driveway before I start her up. Try not to wake up my brother and folks when I'm leaving in the morning. Problems with running straight piped

 

I let it idle till the starting rpms drop down to normal .No more than 2mins after a cold start.

 

If i let my truck sit and idle after being up to normal operating temp does it still mix gas with the oil?

 

some people are looking way to hard in this matter. Just start it and go if its cold start it wait for it to warm up inside the cab and go. At least thats how I would do

 

There have been some study's on this. Oil pressure is not high enough on cold start @ idle, so many articles say don't let it warm up, drive, but keep the RPM low until warm.

 

I dont believe that is a problem with any "modern" engine. I can see that happening on a carburated engine... the engine is receiving just the right amount of fuel to idle via the computer. If the engine was receiving too much fuel, we would def see and smell it coming out of the exhaust pipe. So no worries of gas in oil (to a degree of worrying about it) and def will not ruin your bearings from idling too long.

So i have to call BS on that one.

 

I usually wait until the RPMs drop or until I hear some noise (sounds like a vacuum valve closing or something. I'm guessing its the intake? Anyone with info on that would be most helpful) they are usually around the same time.

Or if my windows are sheets of ice, i wait until my defroster has made them manageable.

 

this

this

 

^^^^x2

My daughter has been starting my vehicles for me every morning while I'm finishing breakfast. It's been her pleasure since she was about 8. Figure idle time 2 -5 min.

 

exactly!

 

I usually don't waste much time warming up. With synthetic in the engine I know the lubrication is getting to all the parts. I can hear it in the winter vs. dino. Dino I can hear the valves rattling starved for oil when the temp gets down to 10F or so, synthetic no rattling. It will shift harder with dino in the tranny also when I get down to 10F. I'll have to get some Amsoil in the tranny and diff here pretty quick.

 

^^ This.

when its above freezing, turn the key and go. The colder it gets, the longer I wait. Auto start, let the defrost do all the deicing work for me

 

Long enough for the oil light to go out it is far better to start and go then it is to let it idle it warms up much quicker, and don't worry about oil flowing it's not like your grandfathers 62 Oldsmobile with 90 weight sludge.

 

spring,summer early fall. start it, and usually just go slow down the 170 or so yard drive way, than on to the road. when it’s cold out i will wait a little bit, or till i can see out windows.

 

Well call BS all you want, but an idling engine runs rich and since it's not loaded the fuel isn't completely burning and the rings don't have enough pressure to ensure they are fully sealed. The unburned fuel will enter your oil. Even with fuel injection, the engine runs rich to keep the engine running and this continues until it is warm enough to get out of open loop.

 

well here in the warm state of florida we dont really have to worry bout cold starts..

so for me its

sit in seat

turn on truck

put on seatbelt

pack a dip

spit once

drive