The Grid and Short Trips
 

Hello all - here in Illinois I make some short trips during cold weather where I have two choices 1) leave truck idling for 5 or 10 minutes, or 2) shut it down and have to wait for the grid to turn off before I drive away. I prefer to shut it down because I know the danger of excessive idling.

Question - Must/should I wait for the grid to come back on if I've only been gone 5 or 10 minutes? It's a pain sitting like a dork waiting for the grid to shut off! Should I just drive off and not worry about the grid when the engine is not "cold".

I have never waited for the grid to shut off when the truck has been running for a while. I only wait for a minute or two when I start it cold. The grid heater comes on based on ambient temp. I have had it come on when the truck is at full operating temp. IMO it's no big deal if you start it and drive away.