Lunch time Idle

[22RAMAlazan]

Hello All,

So we all heard that idling to long is bad for the Cummins. At times, on my lunch (work in an office) I go to the truck, turn on the AC and finish some paperwork or take a nap.

Is it bad to keep the truck on idle (normal) for about 1 hour?
Is it true the truck will high idle on its own when needed?
Is it okay keep High Idle feature (manual mode with Cruise Control) the whole time? Or should I switch every so often?

Thoughts on this would be much appreciated.

 

[dslbrnr]

If the engine is at normal operating temp I don't think it's a big deal although you may experience more regens. If the engine is cold I wouldn't idle for prolonged periods due to crankcase fuel oil dilution and more frequent oil changes. As far as using the high idle feature, that feature will automatically function if necessary. I use high idle during warm up for a couple minutes

 

[22RAMAlazan]

Well its literally just for my hour lunch that I hang out in truck and idle with A/C on. Other than it is normal driving. I rarely let it idle for more than a min in normal days. Just during my 1 hour lunch I sit in truck and idle.

 

[dslbrnr]

Probably won't hurt a thing but if it were mine, I'd probably drive it around a few minutes prior to idling an hour

 

[22RAMAlazan]

Probably won't hurt a thing but if it were mine, I'd probably drive it around a few minutes prior to idling an hour

or high idle it for a few mins..... lol? I get an amazing parking spot every day so losing it is critical lol jk

 

[DammitDave]

I've been a heavy equipment mechanic for 25 years and none of the hundred or so engines that I have rebuilt were ever made to JUST IDLE (low). Engines are designed to run and work, the fuel, and oil moving through them helps to lubricate and cool, as well as the air moving to cool, so the more flow the better. This is my opinion and I'm open to others opinions, these are not Nascar's or Indy cars and none of us is going to get a million miles on our engine, so there is no perfect world scenario we can disagree all day on things. If it was my truck from what I've seen in my experiences I would fire it up and let it run 3-5 minutes at regular low idle, then bump up to high idle for your 50 minutes, and then give it about 3-5 slow idle at the end. I guarantee you this will not void your warranty and you will waste fuel but you will have cool A/C in the summer or warm heat in the winter.

 

[I Love Grits]

I find that I’m happiest in life when I’m able to keep things in balance.

Sure, maybe don’t let the kids eat a snack the first day you get a new vehicle but denying them that option forever isn’t the right answer either. And stressing about every little thing is exhausting.

Life is meant to be lived and tools are meant to be used. It’s just a truck. Sounds like this hour does a lot for your personal well being. To me, thats worth the cost (if there even is one).

My two cents: If 20 hrs of idling a month is gonna significantly shorten the lifespan of this engine, we’ve all got bigger problems.

 

[whitexc]

Well said.

Grits....ewww.

Sent from my SM-G996U using Tapatalk

 

[Riddick]

I find that I’m happiest in life when I’m able to keep things in balance.

Sure, maybe don’t let the kids eat a snack the first day you get a new vehicle but denying them that option forever isn’t the right answer either. And stressing about every little thing is exhausting.

Life is meant to be lived and tools are meant to be used. It’s just a truck. Sounds like this hour does a lot for your personal well being. To me, thats worth the cost (if there even is one).

My two cents: If 20 hrs of idling a month is gonna significantly shorten the lifespan of this engine, we’ve all got bigger problems.

The kids will never eat inside of my vehicles, this is never an option. Wifes car is a different story but the kids dont even ask to eat in my vehicles .

 

[I Love Grits]

The kids will never eat inside of my vehicles, this is never an option. Wifes car is a different story but the kids dont even ask to eat in my vehicles .

Just because it’s not what I do doesn’t make your way wrong, its just different.

I’ve struggled a lot in my life with compulsion and things being black or white. If I do it the “right way” then anyone who doesn’t is doing it the wrong way kind of deal. I’ve had to work hard (and still do) to see that much of life is, in fact, very much grey.

I’m very hard on my kids, particularly about personal responsibility. I don’t love the fact that they make messes in the truck sometimes, but if nothing else, it gives me an opportunity to try and teach them the importance of caring for someone’s things.

I used to not let anyone eat in my truck either. But I gotta say, there’s something very freeing about being able to stop and spontaneously surprise the kiddo with an ice cream cone from the gas station when she’s out riding around with the old man.



^That kinda reaction is worth the chance of a few sticky spots somewhere.

Either way you look at it, squeeze those kiddos and make sure they feel loved.

 

[Darmichar]

Hello All,

So we all heard that idling to long is bad for the Cummins. At times, on my lunch (work in an office) I go to the truck, turn on the AC and finish some paperwork or take a nap.

Is it bad to keep the truck on idle (normal) for about 1 hour?
Is it true the truck will high idle on its own when needed?
Is it okay keep High Idle feature (manual mode with Cruise Control) the whole time? Or should I switch every so often?

Thoughts on this would be much appreciated.

When I take my daughter to dance class, it's in a small room and I have to wait outside for her to get done. I sit in my truck for the hour it takes and the truck idles that time. It does automatically idle up if it needs to to maintain temperature and also for the electrical system if it starts to drain faster than the alternators can charge at idle.

I'd be concerned if that's all the truck was exposed to, or if my drive to work was very short <15 minutes.
If the truck regularly gets driven at highway speeds for extended periods or regularly pulls loads to allow the aftertreatment to maintain itself, I say live a little and idle the truck at lunch.

EDIT: At Cat, we recommend customers keep their average engine load above 30% for the health of the aftertreatment and cylinders. If you feel like you're doing that, I don't think it would be an issue.

 

[H3LZSN1P3R]

Run it at high idle it wont kick in to high idle automatically if you are in a place where you need A/C (im super jealous) its cold here so my high idle kicks on but i would run high idle always when i can, transports here high idle all night while they sleep no issue but if its just regular idle it washes down the cylinder walls and the engines last about 1/2 as long as they should and yes these are still million mile engines just not with the emissions garbage

 

[sstoner911]

I don't see any harm other than your MPG will suck. I will probably brun high idle for that time...

 

[Truckman]

I always idle any Diesel in high idle.

 

[Riddick]

Just because it’s not what I do doesn’t make your way wrong, its just different.

I’ve struggled a lot in my life with compulsion and things being black or white. If I do it the “right way” then anyone who doesn’t is doing it the wrong way kind of deal. I’ve had to work hard (and still do) to see that much of life is, in fact, very much grey.

I’m very hard on my kids, particularly about personal responsibility. I don’t love the fact that they make messes in the truck sometimes, but if nothing else, it gives me an opportunity to try and teach them the importance of caring for someone’s things.

I used to not let anyone eat in my truck either. But I gotta say, there’s something very freeing about being able to stop and spontaneously surprise the kiddo with an ice cream cone from the gas station when she’s out riding around with the old man.

View attachment 32900

^That kinda reaction is worth the chance of a few sticky spots somewhere.

Either way you look at it, squeeze those kiddos and make sure they feel loved.

Well said brother and I agree 110%. I talk a big game but I'm a softy. That's an awesome pic you posted, I have done the exact thing a time or two myself. This is old truck, just a matter of time before I cave and let it happen in new truck.

 

[Shadowboxin20]

What the fudge is high idle. My other trucks are so old I don’t think this was an option. How can I put the truck manually into that.

And FWIW my 6.0 has spent an average of 4-5 hours a week at least for 16 years on low with no issues.

 

[Dmacmilitant]

If the engine is at normal operating temp I don't think it's a big deal although you may experience more regens. If the engine is cold I wouldn't idle for prolonged periods due to crankcase fuel oil dilution and more frequent oil changes. As far as using the high idle feature, that feature will automatically function if necessary. I use high idle during warm up for a couple minutes

Wai…whaaaaa? How do you do “high idle” mode???

 

[H3LZSN1P3R]

Turn cruise on, then hit set thats how you high idle