We knew idling was bad, but here is the science

Yup. People have been warming up their vehicles in cold climates forever. Now suddenly it’s killing your engine? LOL. What are you supposed to do if your windows are all covered in ice? Of course you warm it up until it defrosts.

 

It seems the video would have been much more relevant had they compared test results for idling for 10 minutes then driving 10 minutes, vs starting, no idling, then driving 10 minutes..

 

True and created another place to stick an AG1 add.

 

Putting a space heater in your car is the dumbest thing I’ve ever heard of.
Does anyone actually know of someone whose engine failed because they warmed it up in cold weather?

 

Yeah, but I'm referring to when that wiper parking spot heater is off. Blower and temp both set to max. Ice further up the windshield begins to melt very quickly.

 

Only vehicles i have had that went to 300k i used my remote start every day in the winter to warm them up, and frequently in the summer too.

 

Yeah, but if you'd done it just one more time...

 

It’s a made for YouTube the sky is falling problem. An engine doesn’t care if a little bit of fuel gets past the piston rings. It’s completely normal. I’ve had issues with carbureted engines (motorcycle, lawn mower, snow blower) where the float got stuck and filled the whole crankcase to the point that fuel was leaking out of seals. All of those engines are still running.

 

My old Acura TL I would idol when going for coffee with my GF a few times a week for years, and for like 30-40min. Plus I had the remote start for warmups and it went 300k, motor was not the issue ether it was the ECU. Waisted gas, but that was about it.

 

I left the exact comment on the video.. This is an important test that was missed. idling only and shutting car off is not realistic.
idling then driving will definitely have less fuel in oil than idling only...

 

I've heard of it, the problem is it makes replacement windshields 3x more expensive and take longer to get. The LR Defender has it.

 

Do you guys have snow over there in Olympia? I haven't driven over the pass yet this winter, and I've been curious if Seattle has gotten snow.

 

what about all those diesel trucks idling all damn day and night?? up and down the highways.. in the parking lots..

 

We got a little snow. But most snow around the mountains.

 

I used to have a gray market G-Wagen. It had a Webasto heater. A tiny gasoline furnace under the hood with a pump that heats and circulates the coolant. It operated via a timer. When one returned to the vehicle the engine would be warm, and if the climate controls had been properly set, the interior too.

 

This!!
I have slept in my diesel Hilux idling all night for God knows how many nights during my period of ownership. Same with my diesel Skoda and Pajero.
Not a single issue.
Like I say, anyone with an Internet connection is a Costin or a Mezger these days.

 

Idling when engine is hot is a different story. Those truckers idle the trucks after driving for 10 hours on the highway.

 

They lost a great opportunity to have a full test. Not sure if they will do it again.

 

I have idled my 4Runner at rest areas all night in the winter lol. After a long drive though.

 

Sounds like you're referring to the wiper blade heater. I'm referring to something in the dash somewhere that helps warm the air coming out.

 

No it's the one where there is a thin wire embedded in the windshield that defrosts the whole thing

 

Yup. My '22 ORP has the electric quick heat grid. Works a treat. Cuts down on idling time to clear the windshield emmensely. Interior heat before the coolant warms. Not sure if it's just a Canadian thing. Block heater a must in western Canada or you won't even get to the idling part.

https://parts.longotoyota.com/oem-p...uZXImeT0yMDIyJnQ9bGltaXRlZCZlPTQtMGwtdjYtZ2Fz

 

Here's a better link.

 

Well, that’s pretty neat! I had no idea those existed. I suppose I’d know if I had one (assuming it would have be listed as equipment on the window sticker)?

 

It proves, once again, that YOUTUBE IS NOT THE PLACE TO GET YOUR SCIENCE. Joining SAE and paying to get access to technical papers is one great way to access real knowledge from engineers that aren't promoting their YouTube channel and the papers have passed a peer review. Or you can just follow the owner's manual "severe service" guideline which is 5000 mile oil changes.

 

Yeah, I regretted clicking the link almost instantly.

I'm not big on Youtubers, in general. Although, there are a few that I enjoy. Tinkerer and some bass players (Davie504 and Charles Berthoud in case anyone is interested).

 

Running the test again with 10 minutes of idle and 10 minutes of driving vs 20 minutes of driving might be a better comparison. To be fair I do think there’s some merit to his point here but it is an inherently flawed test

 

Never heard of that.

 

This thread is dumb. Just keep doing what you've been doing...

 

We like discussing silly things here.