For those of you with automatics and that had the high idle feature TSB done and enabled, I'm just curious how you use it. Of course they give us the feature and no instructions. On a cold morning when you start up, how long do you let it idle normally before you guys kick it up to 1000 with the high idle feature? Just curious how folks are using it.

 

depends on how cold it is. At -20F and below I engage it at about 1250 RPMs and let it run for about 10 to 15 minutes. At current temps of 25 to 30 above 5 minutes seems about right. I think the main object is to get the vehicle to operating temp.

 

I think you missed my question. I'm curious how long you wait before you crank it up to 1250? You know, the premise that when first started, not to rev it too much until there is sufficient oil pressure etc....how long are you letting it idle before you crank it up?

Secondly, good god, you let it idle that long?? I let it idle about 30 seconds to 1 minute and then drive off slowly/gently for the most part. What are other guys doing?

 

I let it idle about 30 seconds to 1 minute and then drive off slowly/gently for the most part. What are other guys doing?


That's what I do.

 

Blue600, what about the high idling?

 

Lightman, on a cold-start, note that the factory standard high idle (ECM controlled) will automatically elevate to 1000rpm in 2 minutes if all cold weather parameters are met. So that could be used as a starting point.

Not that I'm condoning cold weather/cold-start prolonged idling; but when manually high idling with a stick (temps depending), I only wait a minute or so.

The best thing to do is wait until you get oil pressure, then drive her gently under a light load until the temp needle rises off the peg.

On single digit days and cold starting, mine has run up to 1000rpm immediately upon startup. Those were usually the "not plugged in" white smoke in the morning days; and the clatter sounded a little disconcerting.

 

Not a Dodge or a Cummins but the principles are the same: The work truck has a high idle feature. I give it 30 seconds at low idle to make sure everything has good oil pressure/flow, then set it at 1,100 RPM and kick on the warm-up switch on the exhaust brake. When I get back in after my walkaround and strapping in the bottles (about 5 minutes) the temp is up around 125 F. Before the exhaust brake was installed the temp gauge wouldn't have moved off the bottom peg.

 

I don't have the high idle feature.

 

Lightman sorry about the confusion. About 1 to 2 min untill I engage the high idle. At extremely cold temps these things just do not warm up thus the need for a long warm up. If started cold and ran on the road at -20F I would not reach operating temps for about 30 min and its only 10 min to work. Try getting in one of these machines with leather seats at those temps, ouch its painful. Also I have a high idle switch hooked to my auto start. Step one start from inside house. Step two wait 1 to two minutes. Step three engage high idle from inside house. Step four hopefully truck is halfway warm in 10 minutes. Oh and because its a 2004.5 I make sure the fuel tank is full.

 

ok, dumb question..........how do you engage it? all i know is that its controlled through your cruise control

 

Quantril88, while the engine is running in park, no foot on the brake, turn your cruise control on (you will see a light on the dash) then you hit set, this should bump the idle up to about 1200 rpm. The idle speed can be adjusted by pressing the accel or lowered by pressing the coast button. Whenever you want to disengage the high idle just hit the brake or simply turn off the cruise....hope this helps.

 

can i get this feature on my rig? early model 2003

 

Dodgedude361, I believe you can. ALL you need to do is go to the dealer and tell them to perform the TSB/Reflash for customers that 'complain of poor cab heat'. Make sure they ENABLE the feature in addition to flashing the computer. I had to make a separate trip back to get this done because I didn't have time to test it in the parking lot. Make sure it works before you drive away

 

cool, thanks. Whenever I get a chance to take it in Im definately gonna have them do this.

 

It's a real cool feature. I use it here in Chicago since it's been in the 40's (this TX boy is cold). I start it and wait on the oil pressure to get as high as it will. ive it a few more seconds then set the cruise/fast idle. bump it up to 1500 rpm over 10-15 seconds and let her sit. Usually warm in 5 minutes (at 40).

Winter's comming so remote start will be going in.