How Long Do You Let Truck Warm Up Before Taking Off?

Automotive engineer here, no evidence to say "Warming up" your vehicle has positive effects, only negative.

 

Could've sworn there was another thread with the same question few days ago

 

I hit the lock button 3 times and keep getting dressed. It runs for 15 minutes then stops, more than enough time to take the edge off.

 

When I start my truck cold I let it idle until the Ultra Gauge indicates the oxygen sensors are warmed up and working. About 1 minute. I'm in the real world not driver's training so I start the engine then put on my seat belt, check my mirrors and be sure my phone is connected to my gps.

 

I like to drive mine for a while before I start it.

 

Depends on who’s chasing you...

 

this.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xKALgXDwou4

 

Sounds like 30 seconds is the general consensus.

 

Drive it like you stole it.

 

I just leave it running 24/7. Can never be too prepared to make a quick escape.

 

I am in the warming it up quickly by putting a light load on it both reduces wear, fuel consumption and pollution.

I usually have it in gear by the time the vanity image screen is on the head unit.

 

What does the owner's manual say about it.

 

Been in the 20s here all week. I go out & fire it up, go back in the house to clean out the critter hair from the Roomba, back out to scrape the windows/back & by then the windshield is defrosted. Off I go.

After work, or whenever I don't have to defrost: fire it up, buckle up, go. I'm in town so have never had to get up to freeway speeds right away from cold.

 

If you liked that video on letting a car warm up, I always wondered how long should you idle an engine and when should you turn off the engine to save gas... his answer was idling an engine after 7 seconds wastes gas.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dFImHhNwbJo

 

23.52 seconds. It’s important not to put it into drive before 23 or after 24 seconds or the motor will explode.

 

You are correct, if you start a motor and wait 23 or 24 seconds...it will not explode...oh, wait, a motor is electric...motors are electric, they cant explode, engines are internal combustion...I forgot. I think I am confused. Irregardless, just get in, start up, buckle up and go!

 

Exactly what I do. I usually wait 30 seconds to 1 minute just to let it get the oil slightly warm as well. Then I drive slow until the coolant needle moves past the cool mark. You can definitely hear when the motor has distributed the oil.

In other words, start it, get the seat warmer going, turn the music on if Bluetooth connects, if not waste time connecting, then put it in D.

 

I keep my oil inside the house, where it’s nice and warm. Each morning I pour the pre-warmed oil in the engine and let the starter motor get me moving. At the end of the day I drain the engine and keep the hot oil in a thermos, so it’s good to go for the next day.

Super easy once you get the muscle memory.

 

at least an hour before i leave

 

In general about 30 seconds. Start it, put on seat belt, check mirrors, check to see if I forgot anything, etc. After 30 seconds I think the fan disengages or something about the engine sounds different. Then I put it in gear and go.
However, my truck is an outdoor truck and if its a frozen ball of ice, I do not try to scrape the ice off. I will let it idle and warm up until the ice melts off. I will also start it before I brush the snow off, and let it warm enough so that the snow melting on the windshield.