After I haven't driven for a couple of hours, the RPM's idle at around 1200 RPM for a couple of seconds, after which they reduce to below 1000. If I put it in gear, they lower immediately. Is it bad to put it in gear as soon as I start? I always wait, as it's only a couple of seconds, but I recently bought a new ecoboost mustang and it takes quite a while for the RPM's to go down. So now I've been wondering if my practice of waiting on the truck should be kept on the mustang, or if I can just start them both up and go without waiting.

 

Start and go.

 

Cool. I forgot to mention that where I live, it's never under 70 degrees (except in rare occasions during winter where it might dip to 60). Safe to just go during winter? Sometimes we get cold fronts and it might even get to low 30's. I don't want to sound like a n00b, but I don't want to damage my beautiful truck and stang.

 

Start and go, if it's really cold, wait 30 seconds and then take off and drive like a white man.

Direct injection engines don't like to be idled, and it's just not necessary this day and age.

 

That's what I was hoping to hear as my f150 is quick, but the stang was getting on my nerves. Thanks for the responses everyone.

 

Guess I'm old school. I always allow all my rigs a few moments before putting into gear. Not excessive but yes, a few moments.

I can not stand when a rig is idling high because of the fuel injection at initial startup and some one stuffs it into drive!

My wife used to complain the 96 ranger clanked when putting it in gear.
Took a while to figure out she was literally starting the truck and immediately dropping it into reverse! YIKES! Let the truck idle down first THEN put it into gear! Funny no more clanking!

Regardless of all the new technologies I let things sit a moment or 3 after startup.

Just my opinion and methods.
Scott