If your coach has a diesel engine, a bit of engine warm-up is recommended when starting cold in the morning. However, diesel engines don’t warm up at “normal” idle speed—they must be run at a “fast idle” to generate heat. Check with your dealer or the manual for this fast idle speed.

Many coaches use the following technique: As soon as you start the cold engine, gently and slowly increase the engine speed by depressing the accelerator pedal until you have reached the fast idle rpm setting. Then engage your cruise control (press the button) and gently… slowly… let your foot off the pedal.

Your engine should remain at the fast idle rpm. (Some rigs may have a switch under the dash marked “IDLE INC/DEC” to activate high idle.)

This is an excellent time to bring in slides, put the jacks up, and finalize the last-minute details just before pulling out of the campsite.

Weekly RV tips provided by Ronald Jones and Robert Lowe from their book, "All the Stuff You Need to Know About RVing." Ron and Sandy Jones write RV articles and books and present RV-related seminars.

USA: RVStuff.org 800-262-3060

Canada: RV-PartsPlus.com 877-266-5398