Short distance driving

[HowardC]

I keep hearing that it is "hard" on my pickup to get in it and drive it 5 miles to town. Why is it okay to do it in a gas burner but not in my Cummins?

 

[goodguys75]

just drive and dont worry about it... . I think sometime people are a get a little carried away with some issues... .....

 

[HBarlow]

Using one of the late model Rams with the Cummins ISB6. 7 engine as a grocery getter ie short trips at low speeds has caused a lot of trucks with soot issues causing CELs, trips to dealers, and damaged turbochargers, EGRs, and DPFs.

It's not the Dodge platform or the Cummins engine that is the problem, it is the crap forced on diesel engine manufacturers by the blow-dried empty suits in Congress and the Environmental Punishment Agency.

In order to reach the unreasonable and arbitrary exhaust emission limits set by the above who know and care nothing about diesel engines truck, diesel engines are burdened with EGRs to recirculate exhaust and DPFs to trap soot particles. Those components work better if the engine is loaded and working hard for long periods rather than subjected to light duty service and short trips.

 

[5.94ever]

While I'm taking advantage of the 'trail membership' I have been a past member and usually stay up on the topics. I have just purchased a new 2011 Laramie (not my first Dodge TCD), what a great truck!

The mighty Cummins is a great engine and even performs with all the government mandated emission requirements. My point is about any new emission requirements. Being a California native, I can recall not being able to see the mountains due to smog in the 1960's. I travel to see my folks (still in Calif), and the smog is certainly not as bad, probably better. Considering the number of cars due to population growth, I view the emission requirements a huge success.

I believe the diesel engine manufactures are going thru growing pains just as the gas engine manufactures did in the 60's and 70's. Time will tell who is farther down the learning curve with DEF and/or DPF's.

BTW I need to change my signature to "6. 74ever"

 

[rscurtis]

There is no doubt that the emission controls have been a huge success. The point that I would like to make, and perhaps Harvey also, is that you could still have your clean air if the new diesel engines were only 95% clean as opposed to 99%. It's that last 4% that causes all the difficulty, not to mention the 20% reduction in FE that our government is supposedly concerned about.

 

[5.94ever]

Yes, the last 4% is a tough one. It is probably going to be pay me now or later as the US Gov. will continue to up the standards.

It is interesting to note that while the US is one of the largest consumers of petroleum, it is also one of the least polluting. Needless to say, developing countries have a long way to go for emission control.

Interesting comment about the mileage; I had a 2003 dually with the auto and 4. 10 rear, I'm seeing about the same mileage with the new truck (2011 dually, 3. 73), but no where near the mileage that my 2006 6 speed SRW would get. Time will tell as the new truck breaks in. Can't wait to install the 5th hitch and start pulling.

Happy New Year.

 

[HBarlow]

There is no doubt that the emission controls have been a huge success. The point that I would like to make, and perhaps Harvey also, is that you could still have your clean air if the new diesel engines were only 95% clean as opposed to 99%. It's that last 4% that causes all the difficulty, not to mention the 20% reduction in FE that our government is supposedly concerned about.

Yes, I agree with you. I think the Cummins ISB5. 9 MY 2006 and 2007 emissions levels were clean enough and reasonable to meet.

 

[Tryingit]

Can't wait to install the 5th hitch and start pulling.



Happy New Year.

I had the 2004. 5 with a Smarty JR, Monster exhaust, and a full cold air intake and that setup pulled my 11K 5th wheel pretty good. My 2010 stock does a much better job of pulling a similar 11K 5th wheel. I'd attibute that to the six speed auto and the new turbo. But you'll see for yourself. Happy New Year.

 

[Bob V]

Short drives are not good for Diesel or gas engines. They both need to get to full temp to "burn off" all the nastys that form in the gear cases and engine. Sense it take a LOT longer for a diesel the get to full temp short drive are worse on them. I remember when I was a full time auto mech I worked on one car that had 30,000 and never driven long enought to worm up. The crankcase was full of sludge!