Auto Trans - Truck in gear for warm up?

[romadant]

I know the 3 cyl mode helps warm the engine quicker due to the load put on the engine, so...If I put the truck in gear and keep my foot on the brake am I doing any harm to the trans if I let it idle like that for 5-10 minutes?What about if I do the same thing but bump the idle to 1200 rpm or so? Is that hard on the tranny or any of the parts?Sorry if it's a dump question. I only know the basics when it comes to how auto transmissions work.Thank you!

[Rogan]

Welcome to THE forum!

Please take a moment to go to the http://forum.mopar1973man.com/forums/20-Introductions

section and introduce yourself to the forum!

As for the question(s):

holding the trans in gear, and idling up will create excessive heat/wear on the trans; do not do.

idling in gear, you're not really loading the engine, as it's similar to having the clutch depressed (sorta) on a manual-transmission truck.

not silly or stupid questions at all

It's all about learning, around here.

[romadant]

Got it. Thanks Rogan!I guess I'll have to visit the dealership and let them rip me off (they want $175 to flash it w/ the TSB) afterall. It'll be nice to have the 3 switches though.

[Rogan]

no worries, buddy. Take a moment to fill out your signature with your truck information, so we'll know exactly what you have for future assistance..Also, if you know someone with a Smarty, they can flash your ECU with it, then flash back to stock, and BAM! you've got the high-idle, etc.That's how I got mine ;)

[romadant]

Thanks. I've added a signature but I don't think it's showing up yet. The truck:'02 2500 Sport 5.9L QCSB 4X4 Automatic - 135,000miNow if I could just find someone in SoCal with a Smarty....

[Rogan]

I see it, now :)I'm sure SOMEONE on here is close to you..

[Wild and Free]

Bob Wagner of Smartypower.com will demo the Smarty for a deposit and will refund the deposit once returned, thus free high idle activation.

[romadant]

Bob Wagner of Smartypower.com will demo the Smarty for a deposit and will refund the deposit once returned, thus free high idle activation.

Thanks for the tip! I just shot an email to him.

[pepsi71ocean]

with my built auto i do what you do sometimes, i just leave it in drive, and she puts a hell of a load, i see 450-500F easily at idle, but its best to high idle away for 2-5 mins then take off and drive.

[Rogan]

pepsi - think that may have something to do with the differences in your built auto + billet TC, versus OE style? ;)

[pepsi71ocean]

pepsi - think that may have something to do with the differences in your built auto + billet TC, versus OE style? ;)

the trans is very tight, i think as tight as a manual tranny. The triple disk by its self puts a good shock load, the truck drops from 850rpm to 625 just putting it in gear, before it raises back up to 850:smart: but i have already hauled with it and she is a charm,

[RJC2]

I recently bought a Smarty. (set on 1 for fuel economy) When does the high idle kick in? It hasn't happened yet. Maybe not cold enough.

[Rogan]

hey, RJC!We havent been seeing cold enough temps here, for it to engage. it's like low 20s for high idle, and low teens for the 3cyl. I dont know the exact #s for temps, but that's roughly it.

[dripley]

Does the Smarty auto load the high idle or is there something yo have to do to install it? I guess I will now have to come and visit you RJC. I'll trade the hight idle for something you need done to your truck. Now if only I can get job near you.

[RJC2]

I told you my wife can cook. Come and visit, and get high idle to boot... I think the thing will probably work in the morning it's colder than a witches ninny here tonight.

[pepsi71ocean]

the smarty will auto load it if you load the smarty onto the truck.So load it to level 3 then start and run the truck, then turn it off, and return to stock the only thing that stays is the high idle.

[dripley]

I told you my wife can cook. Come and visit, and get high idle to boot... I think the thing will probably work in the morning it's colder than a witches ninny here tonight.

All I need to do now is get up that way. Sure would be better than going further west. I guess I will take the pay check where ever it takes me.

[RJC2]

Does it have to be set to level 3 to load the idle feature? I have mine set at level 1. The guy I bought it from scratched his head and couldn't understand why I wouldn't run it higher. I just wanted the fuel economy and high idle was an extra. I would also like to keep my transmission in one piece.

[AH64ID]

Something I will do on my manual trans is put the transfer case in N, and the trans in 6th gear and let it warm up that way on fast idle. I only do this when the truck is cold soaked below 0°, and only for a few minutes as I scrape a windshield (otherwise I normally don't idle to warm up, as it's not as good for the motor as people think). It certainly does improve initial shifting and place a little load on the motor. I have no clue if this would work on a auto or not, so try at your own risk. You would have to put it in N and then shift the xcase back to 2hi, or whatever, but I am not sure if the auto trans will stop like a manual trans as there is no clutch to depress.

[pepsi71ocean]

Does it have to be set to level 3 to load the idle feature? I have mine set at level 1. The guy I bought it from scratched his head and couldn't understand why I wouldn't run it higher. I just wanted the fuel economy and high idle was an extra. I would also like to keep my transmission in one piece.

it should load on anything over the stock settings. i used level 3 as an example, but yest until you get a good TC and valve body keep off the pedal with that smarty, she will eat your trans and then ask for seconds.