Hey Guys,

I've always just let my Dmax idle while i run into the quickie mart or soemwhere quick..I mean since its diesel and all its no problem for her to idle for long periods of time? Like maybe 10-15-20min?Cause diesel's are generaly cold engines and use up hardly any fuel at idle right?

Or should I just treat it like a gas job and turn it off and on? I just think that maybe more life on the starter and stuff like that?Hmmm..i dunno..u guys are the pros...

Joe

Let it idle when it is not up to op temp. Shut it off if you are wamed up.

Jess

I will let mine idle for brief periods of time, but not longer than 20 mins. I usually leave it running to go into the store for something quick. Other than that I shut it down.

Someone here suggested that it is cheaper to buy diesel, than to replace a starter.

But the question would be is if you trust leaving your running truck, unattended?

People treat diesel cars like cars and they still last a bazillion miles. Turning it off shouldn't hurt it. It's not like we have to fire up an auxilliary starter engine to crank them up.

TC

It is easier on your starter, batteries, glow plugs, and other items neccessary to start your truck. Plus the idea that you have constant lube while running.
The con to letting it idle over time is that at idle rpm's you stand a chance of blow by. Carbon build up. If you can rev it up to about 1000 or 1300 rpms for long idle times. This will help keep the engine warm and reduce the blow by. Another con as mentioned is thieves. If you have remote starter use it in the running mode with out the key in the ignition.
People in Fairbanks Alaska will leave their vehicles (gas and diesels) running in the winter times when they go to the grocery store or the movies. They even have special plugs through out for people.
When it gets to -20 or colder at work we leave out trucks running all day and night since it is sometimes to cold to get them started even when plugged in. The rpms are turned up also.

If your DMax is equipped with remote key fob, you can click the lock button after you exit and close the door. and it will lock doors with engine running. Or at least it does so on my '03 LT and my friend's '03 LS.

I leave my truck in autostart mode rather often, especially when I know I have 3 hours between when I show up for work and I leave for breakfast... that way I come out to a warmed up, probably running truck.

As for leaving it running outside, sometimes. My remote starter kills the engine and reengages the passlock system if any controls ie brake, gas, or transmission lever, are manipulated. I sorta don't like it because sometimes when I swing into the truck I hit the brake then I have to restart it in the morning. Either way, the truck is a hard target. It also automatically locks the doors when it starts itself, so if you had them unlocked, now they're locked. Good little touch, I think.

Here in NJ if I left the keys in the ignition and the truck running while I went into the store. I won't have to worry anymore about MY starter longevity:( .

If I'm out 5 minutes or less - I let it run, unless I just started it and its cold out. Letting an engine idle for excessive periods is not good for it. It never reaches the proper operating temp, the oil pressure is lower at an idle and in the end you just end up with a bunch of fuel dilution in the oil which leads to premature oil degradation. Usually the big rigs that are idleing are doing so to keep the sleeping driver cool/warm, or to cool the turbocharger down. A lot more highway tractors are using esbar or webasto heaters to keep the occupants warm while not driving. Negates the issues discussed earlier and uses alot less fuel.

I don't have keyless entry, so I have a keyring that has a quick coupler. It has an ignition/door key on each half, so I can leave it run and lock the door. I always leave it run at rest areas and other short stops like that.

We have alot of diesels on the farm SO let it RUN!!! :)

In my truck, I tried to lock the truck, while it had the key in the ignition, running. Wanted to use the spare key. As soon as I locked the locks, (power) they would automatically unluck.

Here in NJ if I left the keys in the ignition and the truck running while I went into the store. I won't have to worry anymore about MY starter longevity:( .

Not to mention in MI it is against the law to "leave a vehicle running while unattended"

Here in NJ if I left the keys in the ignition and the truck running while I went into the store. I won't have to worry anymore about MY starter longevity:( .


Also if you leave your truck running while going into the store the DEP will fine you. All the WA-WA's around here have signs posted about the law, but I have never heard of anyone ever getting a ticket.

The problem with long idling periods in cold weather is that the cylinder temp. drops so not all of the fuel is being burned. This can cause cylinder wash (the unburned fuel washes the oil off the cylinder walls and causes excessive wear on the rings and more blow by), and possible injector tip pluging. This info is from a Cummins 505AT manual.

454,

Not sure if it was you that posted about all the big rigs or not and UPS, etc. . But they all shut 'em off now. . . There was another thread about this not too long ago. . . verdict there was to shut it off, unless a very short period (jug-o-milk run).

Dennis

In my truck, I tried to lock the truck, while it had the key in the ignition, running. Wanted to use the spare key. As soon as I locked the locks, (power) they would automatically unluck.On mine just the driver's side unlocks. This feature is to keep you from locking your vehicle with the keys in the ignition. You can overcome this by manually sliding the lock on the door before you close it or by locking it from the outside with your spare key.


Gary

I Shut Of My Truck Even When I'm Getting Gas Or Just Running Into A Store For A Minute. I've Been In Lw Enforcement For 25+ Years And An Auto Theft Detective For 10. I Get Pissed Off When People Leave Their Keys In Their Vehicle, Get It Stolen And Want Us To Find It. It's Not Only A Dumb Idea But Also Against The Law If Florida. That's One Of The Reasons Insurance Is So High. I'd Rather Change A Starter Then Wait To Find My Truck Or Wait For My Insurance Company To Pay Off.

It is not good for them to idle extended periods unless you have a high idle installed.

I didn't post about UPS, but I see them whip into a driveway at about 65mph and shut them down, real good for the turbo.

Grey Ghost; thanx for the info, Gary. I will have to try sometime.