WINNIPEG, Man. –A study by FPInnovations-Feric in partnership with Bison Transport has confirmed that it’s not necessary to idle a diesel engine to warm it up.

A series of tests were conducted as part of Project Innovation Transport (PIT), which proved it was more efficient to idle the engine for a short period after a cold start and then to drive the vehicle at moderate load while it warms up to normal operating temperatures. The findings debunk the myth that a diesel engine must first be idled for a lengthy period to bring it up to temperature.

The study also tested a coolant energy recovery system and found that it was effective in maintaining cab warmth with the engine turned off. The cabin remained a comfortable 17 degrees C two hours after engine shutdown, with the system turned on.

The system was found to keep cabin temperature 5-12 degrees C warmer for at least 1.5 hours after the engine was shut down, even though the ambient temperature was 4-9 degrees C colder for the system-on portion of the test. The study found the system is ideal for day cab applications where idle periods rarely exceed one or two hours. The outside temperature ranged from -7 degrees C to 2 degrees C during the test. FPInnovations says it plans to further test the device at colder temperatures.