Maverick XL High Idle At Startup?

[Chops]

It allows the catalytic converters to get to temperature

The question is - Did the Engineers cave to the Ford Environmental Team to the detriment of engine health?

I mean the Engineers caved to Marketing/Sales on the 10,000 mile OCI. Sure, the Engineers negotiated a small print asterisk of “5,000 miles under “severe”(normal) conditions.”

But marketing/sales know most folks don’t read the small print. Heck, the don’t even read the large print “or 12 months whichever comes first”. Marketing smiles when they visit any forum and see all the “the engineers said 10,000 miles” blather.

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[Long Time Ford Guy]

Not sure what kind of engine temp gauge you have, but my 25 high idles & ends with the “needle” moving from blue to red. Takes a minute or so. I heard it is to get the cats warmed up to do their job properly…

Catalytic Converter? CATS?

 

[Long Time Ford Guy]

As mentioned by @Chops on modern cars the fast idle at startup is to light off the catalytic converter(s) faster

Thank you.

 

[Long Time Ford Guy]

Not just modern cars. All internal combustion needs a richer fuel to air ratio at startup. Before electronic fuel injection, there was auto choke on the carburetor. Before that was a manual choke. Before that, the horse needed some extra oats on cold mornings.

Thanks!

 

[Long Time Ford Guy]

The high idle allows the engine to get up to operating temperature as quickly as possible.
Also, when the engine is at high idle the injection timing allows some of the combustion flame to exit the exhaust ports in an effort to get catalytic converter up to operating temperature.
It's all done for the strict emission rules.

I know this sounds stupid (and I've been driving since 1977), but shall I wait for the high idle to normalize before placing it in drive as some precautionary measure with this new technology?

 

[Long Time Ford Guy]

Even tho it’s warmer out for now (and I park in a garage) I still let my Eco ‘warm’ up for a minute or so until the high idle drops, not even a minute before I take off. Winter I do the same but it takes a little longer for idle to drop, of course. Gotta look after my Turbo!

I've been doing the same, however, I did ask.

 

[Long Time Ford Guy]

The best cold start procedure, no matter the ambient temperature, is to let the engine idle for about 15 seconds, which allows the oil to circulate completely and then drive slowly until everything is up to temperature.
This allows the whole drive train to warm up equally.

Thank you.

 

[Long Time Ford Guy]

I agree with you about those easy miles at first, but 15 seconds of idle isn’t nearly enough time for me to finish my pre-drive routine without stress!

I start my Maverick and buckle up my seatbelt. I will clear the happy seatbelt icon then pick the “Mode” I’ll be driving in at first. Sometimes I’ll check my tire pressures even though I did a visual before entering truck - just to calibrate my eyes with what the TPS is showing. Then I’ll connect my iPhone and get my destination set up. If no destination - I’ll hit the button to show me time & date. Am I forgetting any important birthdays today? Maybe a last minute check of texts etc before I’m driving. Also do a mental check to make sure I have everything I need for my drive.

The high idle is typically over by this time - if not I’ll take a deep breath or two & meditate. Never a bad idea I think.

But it is still critical to drive easy for a few miles to let the oil reach the proper temperature - even after the brief high idle.

Although, my easy miles should be a bit shorter than yours. As you are reaching the proper oil temperature you might see me in your rear view mirror catching up to you. Focused, organized, and stress free.

You almost described by startup routine!

 

[Long Time Ford Guy]

The question is - Did the Engineers cave to the Ford Environmental Team to the detriment of engine health?

I mean the Engineers caved to Marketing/Sales on the 10,000 mile OCI. Sure, the Engineers negotiated a small print asterisk of “5,000 miles under “severe”(normal) conditions.”

But marketing/sales know most folks don’t read the small print. Heck, the don’t even read the large print “or 12 months whichever comes first”. Marketing smiles when they visit any forum and see all the “the engineers said 10,000 miles” blather.

I trust NO marketing people. I change oil at 5K. I asked my salesman which oil came factory installed. He answered "Synthetic blend." I asked: "When can I start using full synthetic?" He answered: "After 10,000 miles." Anything to this reasoning?

 

[Gray Goose]

I know this sounds stupid (and I've been driving since 1977), but shall I wait for the high idle to normalize before placing it in drive as some precautionary measure with this new technology?

No need to wait, unless the tires are frozen to the ground. If the tires are frozen to the ground, the windows likely need scraping and that will take longer than the engine needs to warm up.

 

[Chops]

I trust NO marketing people. I change oil at 5K. I asked my salesman which oil came factory installed. He answered "Synthetic blend." I asked: "When can I start using full synthetic?" He answered: "After 10,000 miles." Anything to this reasoning?

No reason to wait 10,000 miles before using full synthetic. I put full synthetic in at 900 miles on the odometer.

 

[Meeka]

No need to wait, unless the tires are frozen to the ground. If the tires are frozen to the ground, the windows likely need scraping and that will take longer than the engine needs to warm up.

So you are saying that if it’s -20F out there you just start’n’go? I think I’ll at least let it idle for 30 seconds or so before driving slow for a bit!

 

[Long Time Ford Guy]

No reason to wait 10,000 miles before using full synthetic. I put full synthetic in at 900 miles on the odometer.

Thank you.

 

[F100Lobo]

These are the guidelines I use for oil and oil change intervals.
Conventional oil, 5000km to 7000km or 3000 to 4500 miles.
Synthetic blend, 7000km to 10,000km. Or 4500 to 6000 miles.
Full synthetic, 10,000km to 15000k. Or 6000 to 10,000 miles.
Under ideal conditions you can use the higher milage numbers.
Ideal conditions are steady highway speeds with ambient temperature around 20°C or 69°F.
If the temperatures are higher than
32°C / 90°F or lower than 0°c / 32°F
The lower mileage numbers are recommended.
Other less than ideal conditions are, towing, dusty roads, hard driving (track days).
Stop and go traffic is a condition that may not add many miles but adds a lot of hours on the engine. The lower mileage numbers are recommended.
If you are using your vehicle as a grocery getter or only doing short commutes (less than 16km / 10 miles)
The oil never gets hot enough to allow condensation to evaporate, which will create sludge.
You should change your oil every 3 to 4 months.

 

[Cancunbadlands]

It's pretty normal

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