Idling in the winter

Event timers are optional, but well worth adding. Depending on the model you can schedule 3-4 events up to seven days in advance for up to two hours each. More than enough to get a truck that has been sitting unplugged in -40 for a weekend warmed and started.

 

I'm sure the EPA would just love to read how you will leave your truck idling from November to April ...lol

 

I know it can get chilly in Chicago, but even without a block heater or other aids it should start fine down to at least 0*. The cost, wear and tear on the engine, and potential risk of damage should something go wrong of leaving a truck idling unattended for that period of time is more than I could stand.

 

Unless it's -20 mine is plugged in....

If it's that cold or more I'll take the 5th

 

Yeah idle is gonna kill that engine. I used to get into daily arguments about that with some of the operators at a previous company I worked for. I would have to go around the yard every night before going home and bump every truck up to 1200 RPM. One truck got left idling for a week or so and the fuel was diluted so badly it took out the whole engine.

 

The EPA would have to chase us, we never shut off.

 

If you are working it no problem, a lot different than leave it all weekend and going home

 

Not Chicago, but central Iowa, so similar. I go home every weekend. During the winter cold times, the block heater is plugged in, and the Xantrex inverter/charger is also hooked up to shore power and keeps batteries up, connected to that shore power is also an oil pan warmer. The Webasto bunk heater runs all weekend to keep things in sleeper/cab from freezing. There is no way I am going to shove 1-1.5 gallons of fuel up the stack per hour over a weekend by idling. Even on 10 hr breaks during the week, a portable generator that rides on the frame rail in a box gets fired up and does what I need on occasion. A couple of gallons of gasoline for 10 hrs is better than 15 gallons of more expensive diesel and the associated wear on the engine.

 

I used to park in North Liberty, we had apus but still plugged into the building for the block heaters. I hope to never be anywhere below 25* for the remainder of my life.

 

I had a 2006 Century with a 450 Mercedes. I parked it for a week and was able to start it without plugging in or Webasto at -22C (-7F). But I sure did have to crank it for quite a while. I would think if it is anything above zero you shouldn't have to worry about leaving it running and just shut it off.