I hear lots about why you shouldnt idle a diesel when its really cold outside. Cylinder washing, and all that stuff. Do you feel it is benefivcial to let it warm for 5 minutes or so before you drive it, or do you think its best to start it, then run it.

 

if your going to idle the CTD in cold weather it is good to high idle it. by the looks at your signature, i believe there is a high idle flash that you can get done at your dealer which makes you able to use the cruise control settings to set your RPM. it is deffinatley a good idea to let the truck warm up before driving it, especially in colder weather, also to help it out more, set your parking lever into the neutral position (dont forget to set the parking brake!) this helps to let tho tranny fluid flow through all the lines.... just my .02

 

I've been using my starter for 160K miles. I use it everyday, nearly every start. It gets the oil moving so all I have to do shift to drive and go. I don't have the high idle option, but I have not noticed any problems at all.

Mine is hooked up to the "Wait to Start" light. So no matter how long it takes to heat up the grid it starts instantly after the light goes out.

 

I have a remote starter and have a 20 second delay built in for the grid heater. But I rarely use it, I had it installed for the other feature of being able to push a button, remove the key and the engine continues to run while I go in the cleaners, 7-ll,rest area etc. I also have the high idle feature which I use in cooler weather.

When I start in the morning I let the oil pressure come up (which is instantaneous) then I drive off easy. I try and take it easy until the temp starts up.

 

Just had a remote started installed about month ago......works great for me!

It uses a 15 sec delay..which I can adjust but I did measure the lenght of time the grid heaters stayed on in -8 C weather....was only 11 secs.

I live north of Toronto and even though we haven't had any real cold weather yet....i still use it every morning.

This combined with plugging the truck in (with a timer) gives me some heat as I get into the cab in the morning. I set the defrost to ON and HIGH fan when I leave it after getting home in the afternoon.

My '03 doesnt have the cruise control high idle option but it still reves up to around 1000 RPM with the built in cold weather start package.

So far so good....


Cheers

 

I agree with the others. I dont see any post`s from the folks who voted no .

I use it every morning. This way the oil is circulated, and the grid heater has stoped cycling. I`m not saying to start it and let it sit for 1/2 hour before you leave. Just start her 5-10 minutes before you leave.


I have a timer on mine as well. Right now it is set for 14 seconds. I was going to fine tune it to 10, but it works fine the way it is.

I dont have the cruise control high idle feature either, but if i was going to use that, why would i use a REMOTE start When its cold enough outside it will kick up to 1000 rpm.

Its also good in the summer months. I work outside, and when it`s in the 90`s, i start her up before i leave to go home with the AC running.

 

When I get the money, one will go on this truck.

Just wish I had the heated seats!

Matt

 

Ultrastart ( www.ultrastarters.com) makes a GREAT remote starter! Diesel comp. turbo timer,celluar interface if you want to go big,door locks, programable start timer,prog. run time,quick stop(corner store),does everything but make your eggs in the morn.

 

I was always told its easier on a diesel to let it sit and idle then to start and stop it.

 

I have the remote start on mine and it's going in to the shop tomorrow am. When it's cold out the system doesn't recognize that the truck started.

So it: starts, shuts down, starts, shuts down, X6 then my remote beeps back at me that the truck did not start. It only happens when it's cold out, worked GREAT in the summer when I left the A/C on and remote started...

Thank goodness it only gets really cold hear about two days a year....

Overall I like to get my vehicle started 5 mins before I take off and the remote start works well for that. (It will kill your milage for the first month)
Tom

 

So is everyone buying the Dodge remote kit or aftermarket? How long to install it??

 

I bought a Crimestopper OEM interface remote starter (RS 901) off Ebay for $55. Installed in about 4 hours. Hit your lock button three times and away you go. Also works as a turbo timer. This is by far the cheapest and easiest way to go about it. No new remote, no screwing around with integrating the door locks. Very easy.

 

Tfeore, make sure they (the installer) are not connecting the remote starter "feed back" wire to the voltage wire. It needs to be connected to a timer or the "wait to start" light like mine. The installer first connected it to the voltage, but when the voltage dropped due to the grid cycles the remote starter thought the motor quit and shut down and tried to restart.

I might not have the terminology right, but you get the idea. When the voltage drops the starter thinks the motor quit. The remote starter need to be connected to a more stable monitoring source for information.

Always try to find an installer that has done diesels before. It saves a lot of "trial and error" time.

 

The Dodge remote start is easier to install but it does not have any other features. My aftermarket one is great. Valet 554r is the brand.

What Geico said is correct except it needs to be set to tachometer sensing instead of voltage sensing. Geico is probably correct in saying that when the grid heaters kick on the remote start thinks the truck died out and recycles the program.

The installer probably saved a half hour time on the install by not using a Tach wire hook up. Shame on them.

 

I like mine it is wired in to the waight to start light