High Idle option/Idleing General

[wrdouglas]

Help Please . . .



OK, I have hit 6K (2005 610/325) and have some ?'s about idle . . from what I have read you should not idle for more than 5 minutes at a time. I think this is due to possible blow by (As I understand blow by it is where the rings are not expanded to the cylinder wall and fuel goes into the oil, hence lowering the lubricating capability of the oil), but not sure if that is caused by low rpm or low temp. I live in SW FL, so during the day once I am at 180 -190 and I stop to grab a snack, I will leave it running . . ? is how long is too long . . and should I consider the high idle option where you use cruise buttons to set rpm to 1500.



I know that the manual says that you should just shut it down if it is longer than 5 minutes, but isn't engine startup the greatest wear time? So if you would imagine . . start up in driveway . . go to fuel stop, fuel up/ice up/eat up, and get on the road . . 5 hours later swing in for a stop . . let engine idle to cool turbo down, go inside for a pit, come out 15 - 30 - 60 minutes later . . 190 on temp gauge . . hop in go another 4 hours let it cool down for 5 minutes and shut it down . .



So what do you'all think? shut it down, leave it at idle, or get the cruise flash?



Thanks in Advance . . .





William

 

[rbattelle]

In my opinion, if you're going to idle for 15 minutes or more while you're in the fuel station eating donuts, just shut it off. As far as idling while fueling, it's probably a good idea to shut down while refueling too.



Your cruise-enabled high idle should already be enabled from the factory. The only folks who need to get it flashed would be 2004. 5 people whose truck didn't have it from the factory.



-Ryan

 

[wrdouglas]

OK, how do I enable the cruise high idle? I turned on the cruise and hit set while in park . .



Thanks,



William

 

[rbattelle]

I'm afraid I can't recall the procedure (I don't have this feature on my truck). Hopefully someone with an 04. 5 will chime in.



I think you turn on the cruise in park with the parking brake on (don't touch the service brakes), hit "SET", then use the ACCEL and COAST buttons to increase/decrease idle speed.



Something like that.



-Ryan

 

[MLimpert]

The dealer has to activate it for you first with their DRB Tool. Then it works just like cruise control. Power up, hit set, and it will go to 1200 RPM. The Accel/Coast buttons adjust speed anywhere you want it between 1200-1500.

 

[rbattelle]

The dealer has to activate it for you first with their DRB Tool. Then it works just like cruise control. Power up, hit set, and it will go to 1200 RPM. The Accel/Coast buttons adjust speed anywhere you want it between 1200-1500.

Hmmm... that stinks. I would've hoped it would already be enabled from the factory.



Do dealers charge for the service to enable the feature?



-Ryan

 

[Pawpaw]

Hmmm... that stinks. I would've hoped it would already be enabled from the factory.



Do dealers charge for the service to enable the feature?



-Ryan

That sort of depends on your dealer. When I found out about the feature, I took the truck in and requested it by the TSB number. The service writer said, "It doesn't get cold enough here to need that. ", since it's for poor cab heat.



I told him that I would certainly be driving the truck to colder climates and would need it. That satisfied him and they did the deed.



If you're out of warranty, I suspect most dealers will want to charge for it.



Bob

 

[wrdouglas]

Do you per chance recall the TSB?



Thanks,



William

 

[scootergmc]

I just drove to my dealer, told them to do mileage reflash and activate the high idle feature at the same time. They kinda looked at me funny and I told them to look it up. 1/2 hour later I was outta there, no charge, nothing. Start truck, turn on cruise, hit set= 1k RPM. accel/coast= +/- 100 RPM. Remember, this is an Auto transmission only deal. Good luck.

 

[JCleary]

There is no need to worry about engine wear when starting a warm engine. There's enough oil on the parts to prevent anything harmful from happening.



If you let the truck sit overnight or for a week, that's when wear really happens.



For an interesting read on oil, go here. It will explain how oil behaves in an engine:



http://www.lincolnsonline.com/article105.html

 

[PRusin]

Other than cold weather cab temp issues, the main purpose of the high idle is for a cool down period after highway and/or towing. It was recommended to me that 1,100 rpm was the magic number with the 8. 3 Cummins in my Monaco Windsor - I assume that is a good rpm for the 5. 9 as well. A 5 minute cool down is pretty normal to help the turbo scrub off the heat. I never let the RV or the Ram idle for extended periods. A waste of fuel.



Phil



(ps. I finally stopped lurking )

 

[CLAYTON]

PRusin... let me be the first to say Welcom to the TDR

 

[Pawpaw]

Do you per chance recall the TSB?



Thanks,



William

As a matter of fact, here is the TSB for my '04: http://dodgeram.info/tsb/2004/18-004-04.htm



That should help your dealer get started.



By the way, this feature is for trucks with automatic transmission's only... 6-shooters need not apply. (I know... it stinks. )



Bob