LandCruiser
New member
I will bet you that the engine will be the LAST thing to fail on my 4Runner, despite me being hard on it like it was a rented mule.
Heat up 2018 4Runner in winter?
- Thread starter 20184runner
- Start date
I will bet you that the engine will be the LAST thing to fail on my 4Runner, despite me being hard on it like it was a rented mule.
pDubs
New member
I bet you're right, but it still doesn't change the process. For example I have a 1995 BMW M3, a Chevy Suburban (wife's) and 2 motorcycles. The other vehicles are nowhere near as reliable as my 4runner so I am not going to change up the process.
Also, it's better for the environment! :thumb3:
IanB
New member
Engines don't run THAT rich when cold unless there is something seriously wrong with them.
The EFI will compensate for conditions to keep things in a safe range, this isn't a carbureted 2-stroke here.
thennen
New member
I wouldn’t over-think it. If you’re using the recommended oil in the recommended viscosity, your engine is designed to get lubrication to the right places quickly. So wear isn’t a concern. And once running, your engine will keep itself properly lubricated throughout warm-up and driving. So my recommendation is to warm up until you’re comfortable and be a happy driver.
2016 4Runner SR5
Senior Member
I've had remote starts on all my vehicles for the last 16-17 years. 10-15 minute warm ups in the winter, few minutes in the summer, never had an issue, don't expect I ever will.
Hello fellow E36 M3 owner! I can say without a doubt that the 4runner's oil never smells like gasoline. The M3 has always had a pretty strong gas smell, even with shorter oil change intervals. Definitely more blow-by in the M3, but that's not too surprising.
You're right on the environmental stuff. Even if the engine is warm already, every second it's running means emissions and for very little reason. I can't imagine how inefficient it actually is to run an engine to heat up a little space.
Eh, you might be surprised how rich they do run, but you're right that not nearly as much fuel is dumped in as a carbureted engine and what I think is rich is probably just relative to my experience. It's probably safe to say that many of us here have never owned a car with a carburetor, so never experienced truly rich cold starts.
when it is cold out below 30F I start the vehicle run for 5-10 min shut it down then 20 mins later start it up and drive it. what I have found is the engine heat spreads out to the other components and then the vehicle runs much better than doing the cold start and let is sit 5 min before driving it.
also I place a plastic sheet that is 1/32 in thick flexible in front of radiator covers 2/3 of the condenser .. I found this helps keep my toes warm and better MPG .. where you live below zero F I am sure you will like this plastic covering ..
this is not something I just have done . I did this over 40 yrs on other vehicles when the cold air from your country comes down here.
my GM truck same thing .. so when I do the start and shutdown then restart and drive it my GM truck does not up shift at higher speeds.. shifts normally .. this is an odd ball GM PCM program .. transmission when cold will be commanded to do a delayed up shift ..heat also comes out quicker .
also I place a plastic sheet that is 1/32 in thick flexible in front of radiator covers 2/3 of the condenser .. I found this helps keep my toes warm and better MPG .. where you live below zero F I am sure you will like this plastic covering ..
this is not something I just have done . I did this over 40 yrs on other vehicles when the cold air from your country comes down here.
my GM truck same thing .. so when I do the start and shutdown then restart and drive it my GM truck does not up shift at higher speeds.. shifts normally .. this is an odd ball GM PCM program .. transmission when cold will be commanded to do a delayed up shift ..heat also comes out quicker .
97BlackAckCL
Elite Member
I used to start my truck and just go before I installed my remote start, now I will warm it up for at least 5 minutes before I leave for work. It's nice to let the engine warm up, as well as the windows and heated seats before I get in when it's this freaking cold outside every day
Jimbo
New member
FWIW, the 3rd gen Tacos have an auxiliary electric heater that will kick in under certain circumstances.
I believe the engine has to be below a certain temp, the external temp needs to be less than a certain value, and the climate control has to be set to max.
Not saying it would be en easy retrofit, but Toyota is thinking about this sort of thing. Funny thing is, though the Taco has aux heat, it doesn't have the wiper deicer. More inconsistencies....
I believe the engine has to be below a certain temp, the external temp needs to be less than a certain value, and the climate control has to be set to max.
Not saying it would be en easy retrofit, but Toyota is thinking about this sort of thing. Funny thing is, though the Taco has aux heat, it doesn't have the wiper deicer. More inconsistencies....
i have the same rig as you do. i use my remote start every damn day its cold outside lol. before i leave it the day before i set heat temp on high. floor and defrost mode. the limited also has a small electric heater built into the heater box that takes the cold edge off right away. run it for 10 mins and away i go. i noticed this morning the seat heaters dont work unless you are sitting on them. did the same with my tacoma. no problems other than use a bit more fuel...worth it i say.. wont hurt it so do what you like.
IanB
New member
Looks like we've already got this from factory as well:
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/248699-psa-those-cold-climates-aux-heater-usage.html
MikeYQM
New member
If you use the 0w20 oil as recommended, you shouldn’t need to idle for more than a few seconds. I usually go for about 30 secs and a few longer in the extreme cold.
From there, I run the engine pretty lightly until I see the temp needle start to rise. Then normal driving.
The idea here is that rapid temperature changes will fatigue metal over time. It’s the same concept that will cause a windshield chip to crack if exposed to drastic and rapid temp changes; however the effect is much much smaller on metal.
We saw a lot of cracked cylinders on our aircraft from frequent drastic and rapid temperature changes, but by developing procedures to slow the temperature change, we haven’t had an issue since.
I think this effect is minimal in modern engines, but all parts are more brittle when cold and subject to some fatigue. A bit of TLC in the first few mins of a cold engine is a harmless bit of prevention.
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From there, I run the engine pretty lightly until I see the temp needle start to rise. Then normal driving.
The idea here is that rapid temperature changes will fatigue metal over time. It’s the same concept that will cause a windshield chip to crack if exposed to drastic and rapid temp changes; however the effect is much much smaller on metal.
We saw a lot of cracked cylinders on our aircraft from frequent drastic and rapid temperature changes, but by developing procedures to slow the temperature change, we haven’t had an issue since.
I think this effect is minimal in modern engines, but all parts are more brittle when cold and subject to some fatigue. A bit of TLC in the first few mins of a cold engine is a harmless bit of prevention.
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MrGainzz
New member
Idling won’t actually help unless you try to defrost your windshield. What you should do instead is driving around with low to moderate speed in a residential area for 1-2 minutes(you can even do 5 mins if you want) ,then you should be good to go.
I’m in Alberta and all the new vehicles come with block heaters and I always plug it in when temperature is below -10.
I have been using the heater lately since the temperature has been around minus 15-20 in my city.
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I’m in Alberta and all the new vehicles come with block heaters and I always plug it in when temperature is below -10.
I have been using the heater lately since the temperature has been around minus 15-20 in my city.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
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IanB
New member
Semi-relevant to this topic, I grabbed a windshield cover from Costco for about $10, has elastic straps that go over the mirrors, this one has flaps to keep the side mirror's view through the side windows clear, and covers the whole cowl area so you don't have to get snow out of the wipers, and you never have to scrape your windshield, I'm a big fan!
I'm daily driving our GX470 these days and it's parked outside, and it's worth the trouble to throw on the truck when I know I won't be using it again that day. The mornings without suck in comparison.
I command start it when I brush my teeth and let the dog out, by the time I get the kid dressed and outside it will have run for 10-15min, it's even shut off a few times, totally unnecessary as far as the driveline is concerned, and burns a ton of fuel, but it's nicer to get into for sure. If it's -10C or colder I'll plug it in, which I've only had to do a few times so far this year.
I'm daily driving our GX470 these days and it's parked outside, and it's worth the trouble to throw on the truck when I know I won't be using it again that day. The mornings without suck in comparison.
I command start it when I brush my teeth and let the dog out, by the time I get the kid dressed and outside it will have run for 10-15min, it's even shut off a few times, totally unnecessary as far as the driveline is concerned, and burns a ton of fuel, but it's nicer to get into for sure. If it's -10C or colder I'll plug it in, which I've only had to do a few times so far this year.
westsideriderz15
New member
I just bought a PTC/Auxiliary heater and plan to retrofit to my 2010 Trail that didnt come with it.
Since i couldnt find the right one, I bought a Prius one on ebay from a 2010 up prius. about 20$. As soon as T4r un-restricts my account (new account), i plan to post a write up.
Since i couldnt find the right one, I bought a Prius one on ebay from a 2010 up prius. about 20$. As soon as T4r un-restricts my account (new account), i plan to post a write up.
