Cold Weather-To start daily or not to start that is the question.

Hello Everyone!

we are having some unusual frigid temps here in Oklahoma and I seen a suggestion that said a person should start their truck/car every day for a little while during the single digit temps. Is this accurate and can someone give me some guidance that has experience with this type of situation?
We are looking at single digits for a few days with -5 to -10 degree wind chill. Unfortunately, my crew max won’t fit in my garage.

 

It’s regularly a lot colder here and I don’t start the truck every day. You don’t really need to do anything except maybe get a battery maintainer if it doesn’t hold a charge in the cold. When it’s that cold I do start it and let it run a few min before I drive it to let things warm up.

 

I don’t think it’s necessary to start it unless you’re going to use it.
Maybe connect a battery charger/maintainer if you’re not going to run it for awhile but imo if you have a good battery you should be just fine

 

You don't need to start it every day. I definitely wouldn't if you're not going to drive it long enough to fully charge it. If you have a block heater, that would help it start when you need it to.

Worst case, I'd buy a booster pack or a battery charger if you're really concerned.

 

I’ve never heard such a thing. I usually try to start it less often in single digit temps. It puts too much stress on the starter. What you do want to do is drive it long enough to let the engine heat to the point it burns off internal condensation.

 

Starter doesn't get stressed too much in cold weather, the battery does, especially if you still have the crap ass OEM battery.

 

If you arent going to drive it to get the motor up to operating temp to burn off the condensation, leave it alone.

Been stupid cold up here in MN. I'm not worried. Just make sure you have a good / new battery. Or a jump pack.

 

It’s been my experience that overcranking a starter generally causes it to heat up and reduces its life. Usually because the battery doesn’t have enough juice to turn the engine over.

 

It's been my experience to have a good battery that will crank over the starter asap. Was -8F this morning. My Optima Red Top cranked it over by the 2nd crank....just sayin

 

Starting it up without actually driving it around for a good distance does nothing but draw on the battery and not actually charge it back up. You need to just keep a battery tender on it and start it up when you’re ready to actually drive it around. If you want to start it just to let it get to operating temp, that’s fine. But don’t do it daily without having a charger on it. Otherwise repeated starts and sitting at idle will kill the battery.

 

Alaskan here who’s had Toyota trucks for the last 20 years, with the last 3 all being Tundras that have lived out of the garage (until new house this past October).

Have never had issues with starting in cold weather. Including stretches where have haven’t started trucks in weeks, and then started them in sub -20F. Hell, even stopped plugging the block heaters in since remote start makes it easy and I’m lazy.

Couple days of single digits won’t even phase it.

 

I can't remember how long it's been since I started my truck...

 

I haven't started mine in a few days and the battery is reading 11.6v I'm guessing it will need to be jumped tomorrow. Another time it died from the led lights inside my topper being left on. Doesnt seem right. Hopefully toyota will warranty it. Less than 2 years old

 

If your battery has died before, it will never be the same again.

 

Go outside now and start it.....ha!

 

It's got to be pretty cold there in MN. Get a new battery. Winter ain't over yet

 

Just drive it for 30-45 mins once a week. You’ll be fine..those temps are not going to cause an issue unless you already have one?

These temps..My Tundra often sits for 2-3 days and is fine.