Why do people needlessly idle ?

Discussion in 'Experienced Truckers' Advice' started by bzinger, Mar 19, 2016.

  1. AModelCat

    AModelCat Road Train Member

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    Not sure who that was directed at but in my case its survival. It can hit -40 or colder here in winter. Summers I've seen it into the 30's (celsius). Gotta have that AC going because its easy to get heat exhaustion when you're busting your ### out in the heat for a couple hours. 90% of the time there is no one nearby and readily available to help.
     
  2. Hurst

    Hurst Registered Member

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    Not trying to add fuel to your fire,.. but I dont shut my truck off until I know I am going to be parking for the night. Then I fire up my generator for heat/AC/power etc. Other wise its running all day.

    My starter showed its age back in December. Cost me $400 to replace it. Batteries are 2 years old now. I recently had an inframe done last summer. The expansion and contraction of different engine components/gaskets from hot to cold and then back to hot cant be good. Takes a while for my truck to reach operating temps from a cold start. Rather just idle if I am only there to fuel/eat/shower. Less wear on those components. Thats my reason.

    Personally, I'd rather listen to a truck idling next to me than those APU's that sound like old lawn tractors on their last legs.Why cant they put some mufflers on those things?



    Hurst
     
  3. PackRatTDI

    PackRatTDI Licensed to Ill

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    My former truck crapped two starters in the time I was assigned to it.
     
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  4. Hurst

    Hurst Registered Member

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    Mine was the original starter,.. almost 1.3 million on it.
    Do you idle your truck? I thought they gave you guys APU's no?

    Toward the end I wasnt sure if it was my batteries or the starter,. another bad ground or what? Had batteries tested. They were all good. Searched all the wires. Replaced that heavy SOB starter when I got home. Viola,.. cranks twice as fast now and starts almost instantly.

    Hopefully this starter goes the same distance.

    Hurst
     
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  5. 25(2)+2

    25(2)+2 Trucker Forum STAFF Staff Member

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    Packrat, you drive a Volvo when it lets you. J/K, although my friend has been having trouble with the one he drives, but he also had trouble with a Columbia glider with a n14. Tri-pac was new but it didn't work right, either.

    We have had a few starters go, but I'm still on the original batteries and starter in a truck built mid 2012.
     
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  6. wore out

    wore out Numbered Classic

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    I idle my truck till it gets to 180 degrees before I move it, I also cool it down to 160 before I kill it. I have bought plenty of chrome and do ##### about fuel prices cause well somebody has to do it. If I'm not comfy layin around in my drawers then it's idling for climate control.
     
  7. Mudguppy

    Mudguppy Degenerate Immoralist

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    What's hysterical is you getting your panties in a wad over something that shouldn't affect your life in any way, shape, or form. Maybe just worry about you and your pristine gem of a ride. You'll avoid spiking your blood pressure.......
    Your sigline says it all.....Unfortunately for you, when it's someone's else's truck, you don't get to have it your way.
     
  8. PackRatTDI

    PackRatTDI Licensed to Ill

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    No APU. I only idle when it's too hot or cold. The other day in Laredo it was not pleasant.

    That truck was a trouble maker. Constant emissions issues, the EGR cooler was constantly needing cleaned, the two starters, lost injectors twice, constant issues with the cruise control.
     
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  9. bzinger

    bzinger Road Train Member

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  10. bzinger

    bzinger Road Train Member

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    My panties arnt in a wad driver ! Just don't understand idleing when nobody in the truck and its 45 out ..not -45 ...if you maintain your charging system and batteries there's no reason to idle at at 45 degrees . .crank it up to a 1200 rpm for what I care and idle till your broke !
     
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