Just wondering if people have been warming up (idling) their TCH in the colder weather. I drive a truck at work and they say the best way to warm it up is to drive it but it seems to me that it takes away from the life of the vehicle. Seems like a strain on the vehicle at -15 or more.

 

But you're assuming that simple idling imposes less "strain" on the engine, and this is probably not the case, especially if you're using the preferred 0w-20 oil. Remember, at idle, oil pressure will be very low, compared to when the engine is actually propelling the car. Gentle, reasonable, moderate driving will get the oil flowing where it's needed, and will help things heat up faster (including the transmission). Just don't flog it right out of the garage.

 

Your engine should be warmed up for at least 30 seconds before driving. You can let it warm up longer but remember that your car is designed to be moving. While there may be coolant running through the engine to keep it within temperature tolerances, other parts depend on airflow to stay cool. You could heat up (cook) your exhaust and catalytic systems to a temperature higher than they need to be, possibly causing problems in the long run.

Yes, warm up but don't leave it running to melt off five inches of snow.

 

 

 

You could always get a block heater.

 

Gene is correct with his answer. Crank it and drive the car easy until warm. As long as you use 0w-20 or 5w-20 oil as specified, you will be fine.

Gene, one question for you.... Where did you purchase/find a group II+ oil in 0w-20? I use to use Havoline in 10w-40 a long time ago (use mobil 1 now) but I am not familar with the one that you are using.

 

There is zero need to warm up the car.

On cold days one will notice that the electric motor is used immediately upon startup. The engine is running but won't "rev up" when you accelerate.

After a minute or two the car will then use the engine to accelerate the car.

 

Ed, can you cite any authority for this proposition? I respectfully disagree. I have not ever felt the need to do this with any vehicle, even when it gets cold here (and I used to live way up in the frozen north...), and I've never had a problem, to include no signs of abnormal wear in lab analysis of my used oil. I've even cut up used oil filters, and found no large wear debris that might not show on the lab UOAs.

This really doesn't fly either. I've lived down in the deep south for years. This would include doing over four years in New Orleans, which included daily big city commuting during brutally hot weather, including ample doses of sitting still going nowhere. Modern cars are designed to tolerate just sitting idling in brutal heat, if they have to, without sustaining any damage.

 

I'd forgotten about that part of the programming of the HSD cars. It's even more noticeable in the Prius. In essence, the ECU won't let you run the ICE too fast while it's warming up.