A local news channel suggested starting a car and letting it idle for 10-15 minutes every 6 hours or so. They suggested this was a good way to warm up the battery throughout the day so the car will start the next time you actually ne ed it. I think this does more harm than good; increases engine wear, fuel dilution, and wastes gas. What do yall say?
Periodically starting a car in cold weather.
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JHZR2
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Assuming the battery isn't frozen to begin with, I think a float charger is a much better idea. There is no reason to go waste fuel and idle for long times when it won't efficiently/effectively heat the car.
Folks that so desire immediate heat would be better served with an oe block heater, which is a $90 or so option, then to waste gas, wear and tear, and but expensive gadgets like remote starters for their cars.
Folks that so desire immediate heat would be better served with an oe block heater, which is a $90 or so option, then to waste gas, wear and tear, and but expensive gadgets like remote starters for their cars.
WGN?
Apparently Time Warner has WGN as a station local to Syracuse NY. I was watching it last night and they were suggesting this.
I would NOT start the car every 5 hours and let it run for 10-15 minutes. Especially if you are going to just idle it.
While it will keep your battery "active" and warm, it's going to drain it. A cold start will take 30 minutes of driving around to recharge. Driving around not meaning at idle; all of the diodes will not be used idling and it will not charge your battery as quick.
It will also dilute your oil and waste a lot of fuel.
Apparently Time Warner has WGN as a station local to Syracuse NY. I was watching it last night and they were suggesting this.
I would NOT start the car every 5 hours and let it run for 10-15 minutes. Especially if you are going to just idle it.
While it will keep your battery "active" and warm, it's going to drain it. A cold start will take 30 minutes of driving around to recharge. Driving around not meaning at idle; all of the diodes will not be used idling and it will not charge your battery as quick.
It will also dilute your oil and waste a lot of fuel.
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Originally Posted By: RamFan
A local news channel suggested starting a car and letting it idle for 10-15 minutes every 6 hours or so. They suggested this was a good way to warm up the battery throughout the day so the car will start the next time you actually ne ed it. I think this does more harm than good; increases engine wear, fuel dilution, and wastes gas. What do yall say?
A dumb idea. As others have suggested a float charger would keep the battery fully charged. best if the float charger was fully temp compensated.
A local news channel suggested starting a car and letting it idle for 10-15 minutes every 6 hours or so. They suggested this was a good way to warm up the battery throughout the day so the car will start the next time you actually ne ed it. I think this does more harm than good; increases engine wear, fuel dilution, and wastes gas. What do yall say?
A dumb idea. As others have suggested a float charger would keep the battery fully charged. best if the float charger was fully temp compensated.
That is a very stupid suggestion, as others have stated, due to fuel dilution and extra wear and tear, every 5-6 hours for no good reason.
If you have a good quality battery with plenty if cranking amps (not the bare minimum required), the coolant is good enough to not freeze over, the oil is thin and strong enough to flow when needed, I don't see why the car wouldn't start after sitting for a whole day without being harassed.
Idling for 10-15 minutes in freezing temps won't create enough in the engine bay to really benefit anything. With such cold temps, what little heat is created in the engine bay will quickly get attacked and freeze over within an hour, resulting in everything freezing again for the remaining 4-5 hours until your next planned engine start. Where's the benefit?
If you have a good quality battery with plenty if cranking amps (not the bare minimum required), the coolant is good enough to not freeze over, the oil is thin and strong enough to flow when needed, I don't see why the car wouldn't start after sitting for a whole day without being harassed.
Idling for 10-15 minutes in freezing temps won't create enough in the engine bay to really benefit anything. With such cold temps, what little heat is created in the engine bay will quickly get attacked and freeze over within an hour, resulting in everything freezing again for the remaining 4-5 hours until your next planned engine start. Where's the benefit?
Worthwhile if your back's against the wall and they're shooting at you.
Few of us are this important or lacking in resourcefulness. Pick up a $5 harbor freight trickle charger; it'll keep the battery slightly warmer when charging.
This is the opposite of the "5w20 in texas summer" threads. Even though you as a human are uncomfortable, chances are good that your machinery can take it.
I'd worry more about house pipes freezing, frankly, in places further South where building codes or practices don't use much insulation.
Few of us are this important or lacking in resourcefulness. Pick up a $5 harbor freight trickle charger; it'll keep the battery slightly warmer when charging.
This is the opposite of the "5w20 in texas summer" threads. Even though you as a human are uncomfortable, chances are good that your machinery can take it.
I'd worry more about house pipes freezing, frankly, in places further South where building codes or practices don't use much insulation.
Didn't we just have this discussion like, yesterday?
https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/threads/give-the-cars-a-quick-run.210091/
https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/threads/give-the-cars-a-quick-run.210091/
Originally Posted By: Pop_Rivit
Originally Posted By: RamFan
A local news channel
There's your first problem.
Truer words were never spoken.
Originally Posted By: RamFan
A local news channel
There's your first problem.
Truer words were never spoken.
Originally Posted By: eljefino
I'd worry more about house pipes freezing.
I agree.
I'd worry more about house pipes freezing.
I agree.
Float charger is the way to go-my F-450 has the block heater, Wolverine pan heater, & charger all tied together with a cube adapter in the grill. Run it for 3 hours & it starts nearly instantly, even below zero, with 15w40 in the sump.
Many people do not have have access to electricity to power float chargers, block heaters, etc. I have noticed in extreme cold weather when my vehicle has been run later in the evening it seems to start and respond better in the morning. My Tacoma with 0w-20 started okay at 14 below zero today, but not like it did yesterday in the when the temp was in the 20s.
Float charger is nice, but I'd think ifyou were were really worried that taking the battery inside would be best. I'd think having the battery at 50F plus would go a long ways to cranking the engine over nice and fast.
But it's more effort than starting the car and running back inside while it's idling.
But it's more effort than starting the car and running back inside while it's idling.
Originally Posted By: Miller88
While it will keep your battery "active" and warm, it's going to drain it. A cold start will take 30 minutes of driving around to recharge. Driving around not meaning at idle; all of the diodes will not be used idling and it will not charge your battery as quick.
So where'd you find this tid bit???
In the real world the battery will be recharged in less than two minutes, idling or driving... This does assume the battery is in good condition and engine started in a couple tries...
Now again assuming the battery is in good condition, it's totally unnecessary to start one at anything above -20F and if you don't have to go out before temps start to moderate, not even then...
While it will keep your battery "active" and warm, it's going to drain it. A cold start will take 30 minutes of driving around to recharge. Driving around not meaning at idle; all of the diodes will not be used idling and it will not charge your battery as quick.
So where'd you find this tid bit???
In the real world the battery will be recharged in less than two minutes, idling or driving... This does assume the battery is in good condition and engine started in a couple tries...
Now again assuming the battery is in good condition, it's totally unnecessary to start one at anything above -20F and if you don't have to go out before temps start to moderate, not even then...
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Fuel dilution. Added wear and tear. What a joke. Some of you are slaves to your vehicle instead of the other way around. I'll let mine idle overnight if that's what I gotta do to get in a warm vehicle and be comfortable.
Starting it just to start isn't my idea of maintaining it. If it starts when it -5F degrees today, it should start at -5F degrees tomorrow. Let it be until it is really needed and then go to town.
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