Running truck idle all night....

treeviper

New member
Not sure it's this is the right place to ask this but..... I'm moving into a 2025 tundra from a 4runner. I've had Tacomas in the past. When I go "camping" on the beach and desert, I tend to sleep in my vehicle and run it all night to sleep in the air conditioning. It was never an issue in the past in any Tacoma or my 4runner, Does anyone see a problem doing this in the new Tundra with the dual turbos and no external transmission cooler?
 

Dave in AZ

Well-known member
Not sure it's this is the right place to ask this but..... I'm moving into a 2025 tundra from a 4runner. I've had Tacomas in the past. When I go "camping" on the beach and desert, I tend to sleep in my vehicle and run it all night to sleep in the air conditioning. It was never an issue in the past in any Tacoma or my 4runner, Does anyone see a problem doing this in the new Tundra with the dual turbos and no external transmission cooler?
I'm sure this won't be a factor to you, but might educate someone else reading: never let engine run if parked while snowing. The snow can pile up above exhaust, which causes CO to enter car. A friend of mine died in college with his GF, sleeping in car while stuck in road in snowstorm.

None of us in college had ever even considered such a thing, we had a big safety briefing later. Now I mention it when pertinent, could easily have been me.

Otherwise, on a warm beach, no issues.
 

treeviper

New member
Probably not. On this forum we like the old ones better...

Google indicates that it might be bad for the turbos. Maybe see what the guys at Tundras.com think.
I like the older ones too, but for various reasons, I'm going for the newest generation. Guys at Tundras.com thought Expedition guys might have more knowledge on the subject. I was hoping to hear from someone that has a new gen and has used it for that purpose.
 

nickw

Adventurer
It's never a good idea - more relevant for older rigs for sure, but I don't think it's good practice to sleep in running rig if (and it's a big if) there was any sort of exhaust leak. Very common on older rigs, not common in newer ones, but I'd say generally speaking it's not a wise choice all things considered.
 

ThundahBeagle

Well-known member
I like the older ones too, but for various reasons, I'm going for the newest generation. Guys at Tundras.com thought Expedition guys might have more knowledge on the subject. I was hoping to hear from someone that has a new gen and has used it for that purpose.

That tells you they dont do it.
 

ThundahBeagle

Well-known member
It's never a good idea - more relevant for older rigs for sure, but I don't think it's good practice to sleep in running rig if (and it's a big if) there was any sort of exhaust leak. Very common on older rigs, not common in newer ones, but I'd say generally speaking it's not a wise choice all things considered.

Crack open a window
 

vintageracer

To Infinity and Beyond!
Many new vehicles will automatically shutoff after 30 minutes of continuous idle.

Not sure about new Toyota's however something you may want to look into!
 

PJorgen

Desert Dweller
I think OP was concerned about damaging the engine from long idling. Safety issues aside, Modern, computer controlled, fuel injected engines can idle indefinitely without damage. That assumes that the engine is well maintained and all systems are functioning correctly.

That being said, I do think its kinda weird to run the engine all night, but that’s just me.
 

tacollie

Glamper
It should be fine a couple nights a year. Sound like a fleet vehicle that's idling for 6 to 8 hours every day. Just keep in mind that idle time is run time. You should change your oil more often.
 

NOPEC

Well-known member
Defeats the purpose the OP stated
In another life, I worked as a death investigator and came across many individuals whose deaths were as a result of hypoxia caused by exposure to carbon monoxide (CO). The problem with CO and the much misunderstood realities of being exposed to it, is simply that it is not just a fresh air issue. If you are exposed to CO for an extended period and breathing the air(fresh or otherwise) that it is in, it will ultimately kill you. Unless the "fresh" air is being blasted past your nose and mouth and thus blowing the CO away, having passive non-moving fresh air around you doesn't help you one little bit if there is CO in it.

Very simply, it is a human physiology problem with regards to the takeup of Oxygen (O2) by the hemoglobin in the blood from the air in the lungs. Again very simply, the O2 molecule is more "complicated" than the CO molecule. So, if the hemoglobin in the blood is offered both O2 and CO in the same air, it will automatically take up more of the CO. After a while with CO saturation in the blood, the hemoglobin is unable to take up any oxygen and the exposed individual will succumb due to a lack of oxygen (hypoxia). "Carbon Monoxide Poisoning" is a misnomer. CO is known as the "silent killer"(for good reason) and is both odorless and insidious.

There is nothing worst than a nagging Nellie, but my advice is that if there is anyway of avoiding sleeping in a vehicle that has an under body exhaust system and has the motor running, take any other option.
 
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