do i let it warm up????

Fine, don't listen to the Canuck who lives 9 months of the year in solid ice.

 

And just like that Chris changes the thought process of a generation! AGAIN!!

 

http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/off-topic-discussion/18315-how-you-treat-your-baby.html

 

lol

 

I let it warm up 5-10 minutes depending on how cold it is.
Remote start is great!

 

I guess I am old school I give my truck a few minutes to warm up. Then the beating begins.

 

It depends, if it is in the garage I start and go. If it has been left outside and covered with snow/ice then I let it warm up to melt the snow.

 

In cold weather I start the truck, buckle up, back out of the garage, drive at idle down the 120 ft driveway and then drive normally. I'm usually up to full temp within 2-3 miles. In warmer weather I buckle up THEN start the truck.

 

I see folks that I work with (over the years), that start they're vehicles and immeiately drive them, they're engines make alot of funny noises with time!

 

If they're domestics that happens anyway

 

I know it is strange for a Florida boy to answer this but my understanding is like Chris's. It is better to warm it up driving.

I start the engine, put on my seat belt and put in reverse to back out of the driveway. I watch the temp gauge and go real easy on the accelerator until it is up to operating temp.

 

I do anywhere from 5 - 15 min, + i hate to be cold while driving and the temp this am is -12.

 

Rings and pistons have not yet expanded, internal engine parts have not yet expanded and fully seated to their full potential and sealing capabilities, its best to let it warm up if u can, although i somtimes dont, its just better to let everything expand and seal before you go putting a load on the engine

 

I let it warm up for 1-2 minutes, then drive.

 

i think 1 min would be sufficent... although it doesnt feel warm, i am sure its warm enough, who all has ever accidently had their foot on the gas instead of brake on start up??? damnit, done that twice... cant be good... :/

 

I'm new to the forum, and don't have a Taco yet but living in the great white north has given me ample opportunities to experience sub zero temps and automotive operating practices.

I practice the start and drive technique. All the conditions that one of the other poster's stated do happen, condensation in the oil and rusted out mufflers/exhaust. Once the fluids start flowing that's it really, the bi-metal expansion rates do happen, but this happens everytime you start your vehicle wether it's -40 or 95. This is why having an oil with good flow properties is really important. This doesn't mean I red line my engine as soon as I start rolling either. On short commutes less than 5 miles, at -40 some engines will not reach operating temps, especially smaller 4 cylinders.

Now the flip side of the coin. People in Dak land start their vehicles and wait so they have something warm to get into. Nothing is more miserable than the onset of frostbite because your steering is -40 even with gloves. People also leave they're vehicles running with the keys in, a thieves paradise, but as the saying goes "cold keeps the rif raf out."

Folks south of the Ohio River sometimes make fun of folks north of the river because we plug our vehicles in. Block heaters are the most common type of heater from the factory (do Taco's have this option?). I've installed oil pan heaters which heat a greater surface area and seem to heat the engines better, there are dip stick heaters which replace your oil dip stick with a heating element, and last I've seen heaters for radiator hoses which are probably more of detriment than a help, they've been to know to cause the hose to burst. They were actually banned from the Minot AFB about 30 years ago because of the described problem above.

A little long for a first post, sorry fellas. I'm not new to Toyota's my dad has owned several from the iconic FJ40, two in Germany the FJ70 and Land Cruiser Wagon with a straight six diesel, and an '86 4 Runner. All were 4WD, the FJ70 and 4 Runner had 4 cylinders. My siblings currently own 2nd Gen 4 cylinder access cab Pre-Runners. I'm currenly saving for a down payment on an '09.

 

Thanks, been doing research on this site for a couple weeks and getting a laundry list of mods ready.

 

You poor soul, I was born in Minot, The Magic City!!