Do Modern Day Diesels Still Need to Warm Up?

Whether you drive a Ram, Chevy, or Ford diesel pickup, our expert technicians have the know-how you need - from trivia to engine rebuilds, we’ve got you covered.

Today we’ll tackle a (kind of) debatable topic in the realm of diesel engines; should you warm your engine up before taking off? In the old days, we’d say definitely. Old diesels had trouble starting, trouble warming up, and diesel had a tendency to get inside lines and fuel components. Oil was much less adaptive, and lubrication wasn’t as efficient.

Anyone who has driven a decades-old diesel can attest, warming up the engine is a must. However, in today’s world of electronic injectors and computer modules, is warming up your diesel still necessary? In short, no - diesel engines these days start quickly and are ready to go. The only warm-up time you really need is about 30 seconds, just to get the oil circulating. In fact, diesels won’t reach operating temperature unless they’re under load, so warming an engine up prior to driving is actually just prolonging the process. However, if your engine has a turbo, it is a good idea to let it warm up a bit. In this case, only a minute or so is sufficient - anything after that is just burning fuel.

Whether you drive a Cummins, Powerstroke, or Duramax truck, our technicians have your back. For the best diesel pickup service shop in South Heights, PA, call or stop by Zarin Truck & Automotive today, no matter your repair or maintenance needs.

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Thank you for visiting Zarin Truck & Automotive in South Heights, PA. Count on our automotive repair technicians to keep your car, truck, suv, or van on the roads longer and safer.

Schedule your appointment today (724) 375-7500.