Winter and a 1st gen

With winter approaching, My truck has just over 153000 miles. I hate leaving it outside. Since I'm in a dorm I can't help it. Does anyone else have the problem where there truck just doesn't want to start? It'll start fine but it just seems overly sluggish. Battery was replaced last year. It also has a knock to it (which I believe comes from the power steering pump)when super cold. It also likes to idle around 900 RPM when really cold instead of the normal 1200+ at a cold start. These are also sub freezing temps. It just doesn't want to run.

 

I live in the mtns outside of Denver and drive a 2004 w approx 200k mileage, mine is very sluggish at start up during the winter with temps below 20 degrees F. I assume all of the fluids and mechanical parts are very cold and do not allow for free movement until the oil makes its way into all of the nooks and cranny's. I don't and never have hit the accelerator until it seems to run smoother with less mechanical engine noise, which is much louder when cold.

 

Okay, thanks! Makes me feel better. Ive just been thinking it was my truck and something terrible was wrong.

 

Are you using 0w-20 (or whatever is the lowest 1st number you can run).

 

I'm running the recommended 5w-30 , the manual says for all temperatures use that oil.

 

If the manual gives you a cold weather option, use the thinner oil. It makes a difference on start up.

 

Oh! I'd give my baby an electric blanket if it had to sleep out in the cold all night. Lol.

All kidding aside. Have you considered a block heater? Not sure how that would fly in a dorm facility, but I'm guessing not so good.
Having the engine oil changed is good. I'd do front and rear differentials, too. Maybe even tranny if it's been awhile. Grease the chassis, too.
My manual says 20 seconds on warm up, that's it. I stretch it a little more- maybe 30. As mentioned above, I think it's a good idea to start slow for the first few miles, then you should be ready to rip!! Heck it's a toyota- best truck on the planet.
If it's any consolation to you, started mine in Alaska, at 46 degrees below zero (that's -46), back when it was brand new. It killed me to do it, but I had to go. It sounded like a diesel for a couple seconds (felt like 5 minutes) and slow like turtle for several miles, but it smoothed out and still amazing me. Runs just like the day I bought it, burns no oil. I've kept it garaged ever since we left the frozen north, (2 months after I bought it). I think that's helped.

 

I've thought about it but I don't think there are any outlets in a parking garage for one, it doesn't make me feel better once my truck is warm she runs great she just doesn't like the cold. Wanted to see what others had to say about it also! I also let my truck warm up way longer than 30 seconds when it's real cold. Like 5 min or whenever the idle hits 1000 and I see some sort of heat has built up to cause the gauge to move a little

 

^^^gotcha!! You can at least be thankful there's a carport for it, no?

 

No just a big parking garage unfortunately

 

we should be thankful we aren't warming up a 5.7! A 4.7 warms up pretty quick

 

I'm up in northern Alberta with a 2005 doublecab that has 150,000kms on it. Temps can drop to to -40C (-40F) in winter. I use a block heater below -20C and I'm also running Mobil 1 synthetic oil. The worst problem I've had is the truck will turn over 2 or 3 extra times and then fire up. It warms up pretty quick, usually 5 - 10 minutes.