Idling gas mileage

It's been very cold here so using remote start a lot. Why does idling for 10 mins kill my AVG MPG so much? Is that a computer glitch? I wouldn't think it would have that big of an effect.

 

Makes a huge difference. Mine idles every morning in the winter. About 15 minutes while getting my grandson ready. My mpgs average a bit above 10. It is what it is.

 

No, it is not a glitch. Idling will kill he mpg, no doubt.

 

Because your mileage at idle is zero. Average that into you usual mileage and do the math. Brings your average down fast.

 

0mpg for 10 minutes every day will really lower an avg mpg calculator that is already barely seeing double digits. It's really not much to do with your truck as it is to do with math.

 

https://youtu.be/dFImHhNwbJo

Its also not good for the motor for it to be idling for a extended period when it is cold. Its running at a rich condition at that point and that extra fuel can strip the oil off the cylinder walls, at least thats what i have read. Its better to just get in it and drive it, maybe let it run for 30s or a minute. Idling does little to actual warm the engine, and unless it's got a carb the engine does not need to "warm up"

 

even a small amount of idling will reduce MPG for the tank by 2+ MPG.

 

Yep. Luckily, my truck is parked right in front of an exterior power plug outside; so I've got a block heater on order and will install it as soon as it comes in (and warms up enough that I don't freeze my cojones off installing it lol).

 

It's pretty quick and easy. It takes longer to run the power cord than to install the heater. You could probably to that in you bare feet...

 

Great video! The remote start for 10 mins makes the truck nice and warm when I get in, I know that much!

 

LOL - that's what I've heard. But I have to park outside (no carport - at least for now) and I'm one of those 24/7/365 shorts guys if I can get away with it.

Honestly, in about a week or so it'll be up to mid 40's, I believe, and I'll likely do it then - UNLESS I can get in to the service bays on post (they have a DIY mechanic shop where you pay like $5/hour for vehicle lifts, tools, etc.) If I can do that, I can do it this weekend or the like.

 

The DIY on post sounds like the hot (pun intended) tip. You've made it this far without the block heater.