Is it safe to run for extended idle times??

[Russ103]

Yes, I have a full Ford extended warranty until 8yrs/125k miles, but I still don't like "abusing" my vehicles. Hence, right after starting my truck, I turn off the auto start/stop crap and I'm paranoid about letting it idle for a long time.

Sounds like, at least, my long idle concerns are unwarranted from the initial responses to this thread.

I’ve let my old 2010 5.4 (270k miles when traded for Raptor) idle for a hour+ 5-6 days a week at times without a thought given, or a problem experienced. Ditto with the Raptor, and my wife’s Mercedes Benz when I drive it.

My point is, idling doesn’t hurt a thing. Don’t be paranoid about it.

 

[SnowyStang]

Is it smoke or steam from all the water in the exhaust? I’ve never had an issue with idling, but have seen a crap ton of water and steam come out of the exhaust after idling.

If it was smoke, what did it smell like? That can often be a hint of what is burning off.


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You know, it bothered me that I could see it but that it didn’t smell like oil, coolant, etc. Being water vapor would make sense there, but it was a warm day. Hmm... Thanks for the thought!


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[Traffic22]

You know, it bothered me that I could see it but that it didn’t smell like oil, coolant, etc. Being water vapor would make sense there, but it was a warm day. Hmm... Thanks for the thought!


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After I wrote that I thought about it a little more...if it was warm, steam would be very unlikely, not sure what I was thinking. I guess in theory water vapor could look like haze or smoke. Interesting though.

By coincidence, I did have to idle my truck for a while today while I was programming my UltraGauge. When I drove it after I watched to see, nothing unusual in the rear view, and no oil or coolant smell, no smoke or steam.


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[GordoJay]

many experts claim that warming up your car by letting it idle actually does more harm than just driving off. They claim the idea of letting the engine idle to warm up is an older concept necessary back in the days of the carburetor, but is no longer relevant.

Thanks for that. Due to my general lack of patience I've always idled out of the neighborhood when my car is cold, maybe a mile and an half, before running the RPM up over about 1500. I always felt a bit guilty about it. Not anymore.

 

[realjones88]

15 or 20 damn minutes
I'd pay to have this culled from the system

This is an old post, but since the thread got bumped anyway you can disable Automatic Engine Idle Shutdown (AEIS) in Forscan (have not tested it myself personally).

720-01-01 x*xx xxxx xxxx AEIS With Override, ABS Config, ACC Menu Config, Adaptive Cruise

You'd probably want to change the * to 7 which is: 7=AEIS disabled, ABS enabled, ACC menu enabled, AC enabled.

Not worried about idle issues myself. Not an issue on modern vehicles. Shoot the Raptor Assault trucks idle all day in the desert and run just fine.