How do I keep truck on? In my old truck, I’d just set the rpm at 1,200 and it wouldn’t shut off during a delivery. This new truck won’t let me do that, any ideas? And yes, I’ve tried pressing/holding “SHDN OVRD” but to no luck.
Posted by MexicanSt0nr@reddit | Truckers | View on Reddit | 90 comments
CuriosTiger@reddit
Ask your employer. If they say you can't, switch employers.
MacadamiaMinded@reddit
But why? Its not like its freezing cold out or anything, it wastes fuel and is bad for the environment, if you’re at a delivery just shut it off? It takes two extra seconds to turn the key again when you leave
tidyshark12@reddit
Makes me uncomfortable when I get back in and it's hot. Nty.
MacadamiaMinded@reddit
The fan runs off the battery not the engine, the amount of money and fuel that gets burned like this may not seem like much on the small scale but when every employee does it it really adds up. I don’t blame my company for enforcing idle time restrictions, but obviously they make exceptions for extremely cold weather so you don’t freeze to death
Novice_Trucker@reddit
I manage a fleet of 25 trucks. I have no policy on idle time. I want my guys comfortable.
I’m $180k into fuel so far this year compared to $164k last year. I’ve seen idle time policies and know the savings that can be had. It’s not worth the savings to me.
lupsukka@reddit
It's strange to follow these conversation as a finn. I drive a scania and there's a button that keeps the cabin nice and cool and another button that keeps it nice and warm. Neither require the motor to run and they will run overnight (at least) if needed without battery troubles.
During summers I use the cooler everytime if I have to sleep in the truck but in the winter I usually set the warmer to start ~30-50min before I need to wake up so I can dress up in a warm cabin. And the window is usually slightly open for fresh air. And yes it gets quite cold up here, don't you guys have sleeping bags? :)
DanEpiCa@reddit
German who moved to Canada here : the idling culture (and the never ending posts about that...) here is completely insane. When you walk around any given truckstop you'll find that most trucks are idling, doesn't matter which season. I do understand it once it gets below say -25°C, but above that the bunk heater does just fine and for the other end of the scale the current battery driven A/Cs are good enough for one night, with the exemption of maybe having to sleep during the day parked in the sun in California in the summer.
CanuckInATruck@reddit
Canadian born and raised, trucking just over 10 years. When I was long haul, if I didn't have an APU (most of my trucks did), I never turned my truck off. Do you turn off the heat/AC when you leave your house? Well that's my house.
I'm local now. When I'm un/loading, I leave it running. Part of it is to run my PTO for my ramp, part of it is I want to be comfortable, my justification part is I'm usually stopped for like 20 to 30 mins, so it's not a big deal. If I'm stuck waiting for any reason, weather dictates; between 5°C and 15°C I'll shut it down and just use the windows, above or below it stays running.
FWIW, my pickup truck stays running if I'm stopping for less than 10 minutes too. I don't want to cook my starter or add extra stress to the top end.
DanEpiCa@reddit
I appreciate your input, will try to dissect it a little bit.
Nice, we have roughly the same time in trucking, although I'd split mine (over 10 years in Europe, 2 years Canada/USA.
Currently I'm literally living out of the truck while saving to buy a house, so I do completely understand that comparison. But that's not the point, I'm not turning the heat off, I'm just using other means to heat it, bunk heater instead of idling. While both do the job, objectively looking at it, the bunk heater will use less fuel, will pollute less and emit less noise and there will be less wear on the engine. It's by any means the better option, so why idling? And just for clarification, I'm talking about a proper bunk heater that's also heating the engine coolant for easier startup and less wear by avoiding cold starts even in cold weather.
Also small side fact : I have never seen APUs on European trucks.
Fair enough, especially using it for PTO. That's the only scenario where you see trucks having their engines on in Europe, but I wouldn't call that idling as it's actually doing necessary work that wouldn't be possible otherwise.
My temp range here would be like -25°C to +35°C provided I have a bunk heater and A/C. I'm guessing both of which wouldn't be an option on daycabs?
That one I'd classify as "tradition", provided your pickup is not 50 years old there really shouldn't be anything to worry about regarding the starter. It's highly subjective and YMMV since I can just speak for vehicles I've owned or close friends and family owned, but among many other problems, starters were always fine and that's even after prolonged abuse on the German autobahn and with cars 30 years and older and some of them way over 500k km.
lupsukka@reddit
Yeah, I seldom see anyone idle anywhere. Not even the foreigners. Also scania recommends you shut down the truck if you're going to stand still for 30+ seconds. I don't follow that very strictly but there's just no need to idle for comfort. Diesel and maintenance don''t even come from my pocket. If I had to pay for it I don't see why not go all-in just for savings. Then again I have no idea how trucks beyond the puddle operate, it must not be the lack of tech? But can it be only the culture? Inherited from times when trucks were dumb and idling was mandatory for whatever reasonal reason?
DanEpiCa@reddit
Yeah, from my 10 years of driving all over Europe, if someone was idling it was an absolute exemption.
I'm on the road 2 years in Canada and USA now and other than "culture" I don't know why so many people are idling.
Maybe someone here can shed some light on the topic.
xqk13@reddit
As a non trucker but Asian immigrant living in the US I think it’s part of the culture to have literally every environment temperature controlled. In Asia and I think many parts of Europe people dress and act according to the outside temperature, but in the US it seems that many people change the air temperature according to how they want to dress or act.
lupsukka@reddit
Well, my point is that the tech to control the temperature exists even without having the motor running. Is it not installed on US trucks? I wear a hoodie while driving in the winter. Of course I'm prepared for breakdown/working outside in -30c (-22f) if needed, I don't want to freeze to death. (As a driver) I think it's important for the driver to be comfortable but idling can easily be avoided by installing coolers/heaters. Are they not installed because the US is such a big area that some trucks might never (or very seldom) need such abilities? Unlike up here in finland all trucks (and drivers) go through harsh winters and it's a no-brainer to install them?
xqk13@reddit
I don’t think every American truck has them, which is a shame
tidyshark12@reddit
The fan runs off the battery. It's immediately noticeable that the a/c is off (whicb is run by the engine) and within about 5 minutes or so, it's just blowing hot air.
MacadamiaMinded@reddit
Do you leave your car running when you go into the grocery store and it’s hot out also??
tidyshark12@reddit
If I'm going to be back in 10 minutes or less, yes. If I'm going to be in there for an hour, no.
TruckinTuba@reddit
Im paying for the fuel, I idle when I want
-Clem@reddit
The fan that draws air in from across the hot engine?
Kaidenshiba@reddit
Why not turn the truck off? Sometimes, you're getting out for an inspection. You need the engine to keep running in those moments. Sometimes, you're changing the tandems at the dock, blocking 6 other drivers. Sometimes it's raining and you're cold. Sometimes, it is hot outside.
I'm here for the environment, but if a driver wants it changed, it should be their decision. Some corporate person trying to save a couple of bucks doesn't care about the driver and their mental health.
DaSaw@reddit
The autoshutoff is fine if it's calibrated reasonably. Mine stays on at 72 degrees or higher, or 10 degrees or lower. 72 is plenty low to rely on open windows and a fan, and 10 is plenty high to protect the fuel from gelling.
I have heard of trucks that stop idling at 82 or whatever. That's just unreasonable.
Of course, we wouldn't even need this feature if not for those assholes who idle 24/7 just to be dicks.
Kaidenshiba@reddit
We had a mechanic who came to check a starter on a truck one day, and it idled for 5 hours at least. I asked my coworker if the mechanic was still working after a couple of hours when I saw the truck unattended. He said he could hear the truck going. A few hours later, it was still idling, and I just shut it off.
Short story- yes.
Junior-Credit2685@reddit
This is the answer.
GreatWhiteM00se@reddit
On a Cascadia, you'd unplug the temp sensor in the driver's mirror. It'll set a code while it's unplugged, but it'll idle.
htucker1130@reddit
Are people still running around out here with no apu? 😳
phantomacid13@reddit
Yes because my carrier is to cheap to put them in
htucker1130@reddit
Well if they won't put in an apu and they won't let you idle then they definitely don't deserve you as an employee. You shouldn't have to freeze or sweat to death for their profit
phantomacid13@reddit
With my carrier the truck will idle when its above 68⁰ and below 30⁰, thankfully we at least have bunk heaters for those colder nights above 30⁰ but we get nothing but vents and small windows by the top bunk for cooling us off on the warmer nights. And I swear someone purposely designed the hood latch areas to vent engine heat right up to the ambient temp sensor on the mirror so it won't idle when it should. Nothing worse that waking up freezing because the truck shut off despite it being 26⁰ out.
phantomacid13@reddit
If you work for a carrier the mechanics can turn it off but most will only do it if you have a pet in the vehicle or you have some sort of medical need like a Cpap or something for it to not shut off. If it's your personal truck bring it to the dealer and see if they can remove it because you'll have a pet with you. It might work
coperifaldia@reddit
Disgusting what they're doing to the industry with these new trucks... when I get back from vietnam I sure as he'll ain't driving no 2020 freightliner. I like simple. 10sp fld120. Got on sitting in the yard. Just need to get it running again.
Wolsey67@reddit
This is your environmental laws. Gotta buy trucks with an idle shutdown these days.
raddrobb67@reddit
Can't you just set the trailer brake and leave the truck brake engaged?
Feeling-Bowl-9533@reddit
Got around it in a 2022 mega carrier freightliner by leaning a gallon jug of water on accelerator to keep rpms up
hera_the_destroyer@reddit
Have to have the parameters changed in the ecm.
Autumns46@reddit
This and the shut down override button is only used if the engine has a critical failure and is trying to turn off to protect itself. It only stops it for less than a minute so you can get truck out of the middle of the road and onto the shoulder
korben1134@reddit
This was true in my 2020 Cascadia but my 2023 Cascadia will let you stop an idle shut down with the override button.
hera_the_destroyer@reddit
This looks like an M2, and it could have a Detroit or a Cummins. Each engine will have different software to work with.
Nyx_Blackheart@reddit
I'm not recommending this, but if you push in the trailer brakes knob but keep the truck brakes set, it will override the idle shutoff
Again, I'm not recommending you do that, just passing along the info for wisdoms sake
Nyx_Blackheart@reddit
Nevermind, thought you were in a regular rig, didn't even look at the picture. Disregard
Delicious_Peace_2526@reddit
I had an international that would shut off in stop and go traffic if I was stopped for more than 3 minutes in gear with my foot on the brake. There was no way around it with that truck.
ThatOneHelldiver@reddit
Does your truck have a trailer brake lever? I put something heavy on a string and hang it on there. It keeps the truck on.
knotworkin@reddit
If it’s an automatic, you can leave it and drive with the air brake on and it tricks the ECM to not start the idle timer.
MexicanSt0nr@reddit (OP)
Gonna try that if I can’t find override
Insciuspetra@reddit
Pay the $50k a year for fuel and idle ‘till the wheels fall off.
kw10001@reddit
In our trucks, if you set the trailer brake but release the tractor brake it won't shutdown
Agreeable-Raisin6980@reddit
Set cruise control
ChristopherMessmer@reddit
If I heat the temperature sensor in my mirror to 91° my truck will stay running but I've had many that that doesn't work with.
staycita@reddit
If your hooked to a trailer don’t set the truck brake and it should stay on
Crazymatt81@reddit
Get a weight and rest it on the peddle slightly.
FLcbdfarmer@reddit
In my 579, if I leave the driver door slightly open or hood unlatched it stops the idle smart thing from shutting off the truck.
xxenoscionxx@reddit
Can you release the service brake and engage the trailer brake ? I had to do that tell Volvo removed the auto shutdown.
AhabRasputin@reddit
Thats the neat part, you dont. Shits fuckin annoying
SufferedMage936@reddit
Simplest solution is get some wheel chocks and don't set the brake then the computer won't register as idling.
two_tapered_tips@reddit
buy a small jack and wedge it between your seat and throttle. jack it up til it lightly engages the throttle and leave it. or some kind of clamp or maybe one of those Irwin lifters, but you get my point.
siuyu721@reddit
What truck is this? Looks like a cascadia gauge but never seen button layout like this, and that parking brake knob looks weird
MexicanSt0nr@reddit (OP)
2025 Freightliner M2 straight truck
Ok-Ambassador-5456@reddit
It’s a Freightliner
TactualTransAm@reddit
It's a very new box truck. They get the Cascadia instrument cluster now.
Duder115@reddit
It's a box truck. That's why it only has the air supply valve for the power unit, but not the trailer.
unftp-0@reddit
I think the new Volvos have that brake button not sure though
Interesting-Door-695@reddit
I don't think you can get those box trucks to stay on if it has idle cut off.
Specialist-End1040@reddit
Then you have to take it to the dealership and prove your not in California
Top_Roll_6136@reddit
I used to hang a trailer marker light below the temp sensor in the mirror. ac all night. just don't let the sensor get too hot or computer will glitch.
Down2EatPossum@reddit
Likely you can't. There are many ways to program the computer for automatic idle shutdown. In our trucks if you tap the throttle it restarts the timer, and if you keep your tractor brakes released but trailer brakes set then it will bypass the auto shutdown timer for about 20 minutes if you remain in neutral. Our t680's have a fun little set of steps to take that will completely bypass the auto shutdown timer in case the APU dies for some reason. All this to say each company can have their own programmed shutdown and bypasses if any.
gingerou@reddit
Where is your trailer brake
ThanksALotBud@reddit
Not all CMV have trailers.
gingerou@reddit
The one trick i know only applies to those that do which is set trailer brake and dont set truck brake over rides auto off for most trucks
fartspatula@reddit
There’s several tricks, most already discussed, but the issue is every truck is different. I had a KW with a PACCAR engine that would literally try to idle shut off while I was in stopped traffic, in gear with brakes released (foot on the pedal brake obviously). I hated that fuckin truck lol. 5 minutes of not moving, that bitch shut off no matter what.
BigSchmitty@reddit
I can’t override it in my day cab cascadia. However, if I set the trailer brakes and leave the tractor brakes alone, it’ll idle. Of course the horn honks when you open the door because the brakes aren’t set. And calm down, I do have a wheel chock.
CannibalAnus@reddit
I’ve had to do this before, prime inc was the same way and would disable all other means of keeping the truck idling but when they installed the tripac 3 with the DEF system breaking the APU every 2 days, i got tired of it.
karrimycele@reddit
Does it have optimized idle? It took me awhile to figure out how it worked. I’d put it on and the truck would cut off, which made me think it wasn’t working. What it does is restart the engine when the battery gets low. You run heat and a/c off the battery.
ShortCurlies@reddit
You don't. I had a piece of broken pallet skid I whittled down and wedged between the seat and the accelerator to increase the rpms. This also activates the throttle position sensor. Either way the new trucks override everything, even this, when they are in neutral and will shut down anyway to save fuel, environment, etc...
savagewolf666@reddit
Its only -35 you dont need constant heat
Prior-Ad-7329@reddit
You get one of them auto switches to push the override switch every minute.
madbillsfan@reddit
They might have pulled the fuse out for override shutdown. Idk. I’m not a scientist.
KeystoneGuru3@reddit
Get a hotel room for the night
Dudewheresmybeeer@reddit
I don’t think You can, unless it’s like 95 degrees out it has a 90 second shutoff unless u press throttle/gas while in park to reset time
12InchPickle@reddit
Depends if they disabled it.
Actual_Handle_3@reddit
Shutdown override is for when the computer shuts down to prev3nt catastrophic failure of the engine. Shutdown override is so you can get off the highway safely
Zealousideal_Cry6143@reddit
Sometimes releasing the truck brakes with over ride that. Not always, though. A lot of our trucks have apu but if it's down they just set trailer brakes and leave truck brakes released
CammyKooma@reddit
Steal wheel chocks from the next warehouse you deliver too and use those to hold you with the brakes released
-Mikey2Toes@reddit
You can actually buy them pretty cheap… you don’t have to be a crook…
https://a.co/d/bYylw1T
HankHaloperidol@reddit
Got mine at harbor freight.
Pristine-Today4611@reddit
In a few trucks I could rev it alittle and set the cruise control. Not sure if that’s what you mean by you set the rpm to 1200
Hot_Entrepreneur_294@reddit
Not that it helps you but I’m wondering why u want the truck on still?
patheos79@reddit
Sounds like your company changed the programming on the idle. Some of of them you can get around. Example at ats you have to hit the clutch or fuel pedal at a certain point to keep idling
KnownAdvantage5366@reddit
Pump accelerator while in neutral?
Tasty_Explorer_6910@reddit
Set trailer break leave truck break off
feralftw@reddit
Unless you have pto/work mode you likely cant
GoBBleRoFDaCoK69@reddit
Have you tried holding the cruise control increase button?