Running Engine when it's cold

[Krazymace]

We hit -23 last night here in Central Oregon. Record cold. My wife's cousin, who is a mechanic, said I should run all my auto and motorhome engines for 30 minutes every day. Never heard of doing that, but guess it wouldn't hurt. Better idea is to take it south, which we intend to do next month.

[Filthy Beast]

Did he give you a reason? I was under the impression that if there is something like a DPF on it you are not supposed to idle for long periods. Of course, I do not know what they consider "long periods".

[Ford Idaho]

My dad would let the car run at a high idle over night when it was that cold here a few years ago.
When it is that cold I would let it run until it got to normal operating temperature for 10-15 minutes

[Blaster 84]

It sound to me that the mechanic is trying to avoid what we use to call a "cold soaked engine." But at those low temperatures I don't know that you could avoid that by letting it set for 23 1/2 hours without running. If your engine is not equipped with a heating device I would suggest getting a hot dip stick to keep the oil warm, or at the very least put a blanket over the engine with a light bulb under it. This might not be current high tech solutions, it's just what we did while I was growing up many years ago

[ramair]

we hit zero last night and I just start the engine and gen every month for approx. 30 just to keep everything working properly. Never heard of letting it run everyday. Individuals and car lots don't run vehicles everyday when its gets cold. Ask him his reasons. Would like to know. Running everyday won't hurt nothing..

[43D18]

I like your solution - drive south.

[Iggy]

Originally Posted by 43D18

I like your solution - drive south.

We don't have that issue in Arizona.

[43D18]

Well, rub it in, Iggy.

Not to hijack the thread, and you can msg if you prefer, but curious how you include the US states map in your sig line. Thx!

-Mike

[alparmer]

I've never heard of that. As long as you have the right amount of antifreeze it will be fine. Now, if you are going to let it sit for a long period of time I would put some fuel stabilizer in it the tank and run both engines so that the fuel stabilizer enters the carb/injectors.

[Ford Idaho]

Originally Posted by Iggy

We don't have that issue in Arizona.

I note where it is 61 in the Sierra Vista AZ area, great T-shirt weather.....

It is a balmy 18F here, low tonight near -4F....

[Iggy]

Originally Posted by 43D18

Well, rub it in, Iggy.

Not to hijack the thread, and you can msg if you prefer, but curious how you include the US states map in your sig line. Thx!

-Mike

Just select the map and select the states and make it.
Then copy to your computer and add it to your signature.


Visited States Map by epgSoft

[sherman12]

I like the idea of the blanket and light bulb with out the light being under the blanket, but hanging or some place safe in the engine compartment so the bulb doesn't melt a hose or start the blanket on fire.

[Falcon35]

I don't think the manufacturers suggest doing that.
We did do that kind of things years ago now they tell us not to idle an engine.
Start it and after a short time drive gently until it warms up then drive it long enough to bring it full temperature.

[Bill m]

Originally Posted by ramair

we hit zero last night and I just start the engine and gen every month for approx. 30 just to keep everything working properly. Never heard of letting it run everyday. Individuals and car lots don't run vehicles everyday when its gets cold. Ask him his reasons. Would like to know. Running everyday won't hurt nothing..

X2, in Northern Massachusetts

[King Yankee]

sorry to laugh guys but here in NH it gets down to -35* in February. All we do is make sure we have a strong battery, nothing extra, no blankets, no light bulb, dont idle for extended periods. Just in the morning give it 10 minutes before hopping in on those hard seats. Southbound we are coming in 15 days.

[alparmer]

I'm guessing that theory is coming from having to deal with older cars. Nowadays, with modern technology (i.e. oils, fuel injection, etc.), there is no need start the engine every so often. All you have to do is make sure your fuel doesn't go stale and maintain the battery.

I restore old bikes here and there and I have a 78 Kawi that struggles to start in less than 60 degree weather. Anything above 75 and starts within two kicks. Oh, and the carbs are so tight that you really have to drain the bowls or a tiny amount of gasoline varnish will make it run bad.

[King Yankee]

For the price we're paying for newer ones guess it must be newer tech. That makes them easier to start.

[fbconsults]

Originally Posted by Krazymace

We hit -23 last night here in Central Oregon. Record cold. My wife's cousin, who is a mechanic, said I should run all my auto and motorhome engines for 30 minutes every day. Never heard of doing that, but guess it wouldn't hurt. Better idea is to take it south, which we intend to do next month.

Just a friendly bit of advice, it is helpful to provide accurate answers when you include the make and model of your rig in your signature block.

Happy Trails, Forrest

[Iggy]

Originally Posted by Krazymace

We hit -23 last night here in Central Oregon. Record cold. My wife's cousin, who is a mechanic, said I should run all my auto and motorhome engines for 30 minutes every day. Never heard of doing that, but guess it wouldn't hurt. Better idea is to take it south, which we intend to do next month.

This question has all types of answers so I might as well add mine.

At -23 degrees things do get hard.
I need to know what is the temperature mid day?
How long of a very cold spell does the weather forecaster predict?

My answer with the limited information.
If your MH cooling systems has proper antifreeze and this cold snap is only a few nights and day warms up to 10 degrees above zero or more, no problem.

If you were to leave your MH for a few weeks in sub zero temps and have weak batteries I can see a problem starting back up.
Oil and antifreeze will get thicker only in prolonged sub -zero weather.
For short term no problem.

But when you are ready to drive off you need to warm it up. I would insure you warm up the transmission by putting in neutral during warm-up. And move it thru the different positions before you drive off. This will insure ATF is warm and flowing well thru the valve body and torque convertor.
Everything should be warmed up within 10-15 minutes.

OK that is all I have to offer.

[dashonthedash]

In Colorado, it's illegal to leave a vehicle running unattended on public streets (called "puffing"), but it is OK to do it on private property (like your driveway). It's part of an attempt to discourage easy (opportunistic) car thefts, as thieves watch for running, unattended vehicles, and can find and drive it away in seconds. I start the motorhome occasionally during the winter, but to start it every day and leave it for half an hour, even in your own driveway, is tempting fate (and thieves) a bit too much.