Letting your vehicle warm up in the winter.

https://www.verifythis.com/article/...heck/536-8bf406d7-194c-4ca0-a06d-d1d56006e5d9

 

I saw this same article over breakfast this morning.

 

I rarely warmed up my '96 Silverado. She has 272,xxx miles now. Doesn't burn any oil at all. Replaced usual components for a high mileage vehicle. Radiator, injectors, water pump, fuel pump, alternator, starter, 4 sets of brakes, 2 clutches. I am sure I am forgetting some other things.

Motor is factory original and runs like a champ. Like the article says, start engine.... scrape windows...go. If it was garaged, start engine, choose tunes, adjust volume, go. Even at -20º. I did keep the speed under 30 mph for a mile or 2.

I'll do the same for the 4R. Start engine, choose tunes, adjust volume, go, keeping the speed <30 mph for a mile 'til I hit the county highway.

 

Unless it's really cold, I generally give it about 10-15 seconds while I buckle up and put my phone in its holder. I usually give it a minute when it's really cold, and then baby it until it's warmed up.

 

The article states that oil starvation happens at idle but not at operating speeds? How?

 

"oil will start to slowly drain away from the engine's key components since the engine is not moving the car" What the hell does this mean? Is the author claiming the engine will lose oil pressure at idle? Sounds like nonsense.

 

I didn't read through it, but that does sound odd. Maybe the oil pump doesn't operate effectively at idle speed.

 

That’s also what I thought. “Key components”. BS.

 

So what happens with hybrids if the initial drive is in electric motor model only?

 

There are several contradictions in this article. Granted there has been a huge change in vehicles ignition, induction and oiling systems over the last 40 years with procedures changing greatly.

If idling is not recommended, one would think it would be advised against from the manufacturer.

The good thing is we can agree to disagree with the author on these types of articles based on how we understand engine component function/operation.

 

I believe they say Toyota agrees.

 

I'm not sure about the 4.0, but if an engine's oil pump is mechanically driven, the lower the RPM, potentially the less oil pressure you have. They could be alluding to that.

I grew up always hearing that idling was one of the hardest operating conditions on an engine. The reason why people would want to stay away from used police or service vehicles that would idle a lot. They may have low mileage on the odometer, but the engines have a ton of idle hours on them. That's why some trucks actually keep track of running hours.

When I was a kid I had a Chevy pickup that was carbureted. I would always let that warm up for a few minutes in the morning if it was really cold out, it ran better that way. If I didn't, it would stumble a bit before I got going. With modern fuel injected cars, I get in, start it up, and however long it takes me to get my seat belt on, get my coffee in the cup holder, and figure out what I'm going to listen to on Spotify. Then I drive off, typically keeping the RPM under 1500 for the first few minutes.

 

Correct, RPM does have an effect on oil pressure.

So glad not to have to deal with a carbureted vehicle anymore.

 

If this article is true I could care less, I want the cabin warmish when I get in. Never had a problem with any other vehicle I’ve had, not going to stop warming up now!

 

Pretty sure the pump can adequately lubricate at idle.

 

I call bullshit. The only way I see idling being an issue is if you don't drive it and run it at operating temperature for a while afterwards.

I recall idling a Crown Vic for hours, hours, on scenes and repeating that day in and day out, and those engines were unstoppable. They developed helluva condensation in the exhaust and when you'd hear it start burbling you'd rev it up a few times and blow water all over the pavement and go back to reading the newspaper... And when you cleared the scene you romped on it pretty good and dried everything out.

As for my 4R if it's too cold or me to touch the steering wheel then it's gonna idle for a while until warmer...

 

I was wishing for a heated steering wheel the other day! I had to keep switching hands to steer.

 

It's technically correct from my understanding, but it's largely not an issue. Lower RPMs, lower speeds, less sloshing around of the oil. However, this is usually not a concern at all. The only engine I've heard of this being an issue on is the current hemi engines, and well, LOL Chrysler. So, while there could/would be less oil getting all over the engine which would be technically more wearing on the engine, it's largely a nonissue unless you're driving a LOL Chrysler.

 

I believe there is a fine line when it comes to excessive idle time and warm up. When I drove over the road semi, the owner of the company once stated "when the temp. gauge starts to move, you will be good to go." He also said, as some here have stated, 'ease' into driving, the temp. will slowly rise to operating temperature and you can operate normally. The police vehicles I have purchased in the past all seemed to have some issues. (due to excessive idle maybe) Main bearings and rod bearings all showed a fair amount of wear, Ford and Chevy both. Idle time is the 'nature of the beast' with fleet vehicles. Also, doesn't a little common sense go a long way?

 

From the article

Chuck's Auto Repair explains "Constantly letting a cold engine idle can actually be counterproductive because it gradually strips oil away from the engine’s pistons and cylinders... Here’s the problem: when the engine is cold, the gas may not evaporate completely as it combines with the air. For more recent cars with an electronic fuel injection, there are sensors that detect this and compensate by adding more gas to the mixture. When there is excess fuel in the chamber, some of it condenses onto the cylinder walls and strips away the lubricating oil. When the lubricating oil is gone, components like the cylinder liners and piston rings will wear prematurely."

With our Prime, just the electric motors are going, not the engine. But that’s a plug in hybrid, so it may be different for others.

 

I drive gently for the first couple of minutes.

 

People idle their 4Runners all night when they sleep in them. Ignore this article

 

Who does this? I certainly don't, and wouldn't recommend it.

 

https://youtu.be/jn5EHzeCNNA?si=d7UDO5aBnIBIMuSL

 

I'm not giving any clicks to some YouTuber if they recommend idling your car all night. Not a good idea in my book. There are safer ways to stay warm.

 

For instance?

 

Proper clothing, a good sleeping bag, extra blankets, electric blanket..

 

And in hot summer?

 

If you can't take the heat, get a hotel.

 

https://youtu.be/PCbYtQu4maA?si=Z3QFjGM24kP_6Qsv