Idle on a cold day

[JoelB]

I was curious if people generally let their car idle on a cold day (lets say 5 degrees) or if they just get in and go. All the automotive articles say new cars don't need to be idled but I'm not sure they're as oil crazy as we all are here.

I personally will let my car idle at least till it idles down to 1250 rpm's which is about 30 seconds. But usually i wait another minute before i get going because it makes me feel warm and fuzzy.

 

[demarpaint]

I run mile until it dips below 1000 rpms and go. Here's a recent discussion on it.

https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/ubbthreads.php/topics/4280028/1

 

[Lubener]

I start it and drive off after a minute or so. The engine will warm up faster by working it instead of un-necessary idling.

 

[Triple_Se7en]

If it's that cold at 5 degrees, I give it a two minute warmup, then drive softly for the first mile at-least.

If the front windshield is iced-over, I driveway-idle for 10 minutes.

 

[aquariuscsm]

I always let mine idle until the temp gauge begins to move.

 

[edyvw]

Originally Posted By: JoelB
I was curious if people generally let their car idle on a cold day (lets say 5 degrees) or if they just get in and go. All the automotive articles say new cars don't need to be idled but I'm not sure they're as oil crazy as we all are here.

I personally will let my car idle at least till it idles down to 1250 rpm's which is about 30 seconds. But usually i wait another minute before i get going because it makes me feel warm and fuzzy.

No, no and no!
Just go, but keep rpm's low. Oil needs sometimes 6-7 times longer if not even more to warm up.
My BMW at 5 degrees needs 10 miles to warm up oil, while coolant will hit its operating temperature in 2-3 miles.

 

[edyvw]

Originally Posted By: aquariuscsm
I always let mine idle until the temp gauge begins to move.

And reason for that is?

 

[bioburner]

Originally Posted By: edyvw
Originally Posted By: aquariuscsm
I always let mine idle until the temp gauge begins to move.

And reason for that is?

Wants to wait for the smoke from the joint to clear

Refering to the post from the Mile high state

 

[Matagonka]

If it's really cold, I let it warm up as I like the cabin warm.

When it's not too cold, I get in and go in about 30 seconds. Yes, the engine does warm up quicker when you drive your car while keeping the RPMs low.

 

[roadrunner1]

Originally Posted By: aquariuscsm
I always let mine idle until the temp gauge begins to move.


In S Texas, really?

 

[bioburner]

Originally Posted By: roadrunner1
Originally Posted By: aquariuscsm
I always let mine idle until the temp gauge begins to move.


In S Texas, really?

It was moving on its own with the temps there yesterday of 88

 

[Ihatetochangeoil]

At this moment, it is 18 degrees outside and my car is warming up while I have a cup of coffee. I WANT to do whatever is necessary to maintain the car, but the car was designed, engineered and purchased for MY convenience, not the other way around.

I don't particularly care if I'm wasting 15 cents or whatever small amount of gasoline. I don't live in a cold house and don't like getting in a cold car.

 

[bioburner]

Originally Posted By: Ihatetochangeoil
At this moment, it is 18 degrees outside and my car is warming up while I have a cup of coffee. I WANT to do whatever is necessary to maintain the car, but the car was designed, engineered and purchased for MY convenience, not the other way around.

I don't particularly care if I'm wasting 15 cents or whatever small amount of gasoline. I don't live in a cold house and don't like getting in a cold car.

Wish it was close to that warm here. -14 before AM dip. Will see if the change to full synthetic helps the crank time. Will start the Transit and brush off the 6 inches of snow. Could be a bit worse as Fargo got a foot of the white stuff.

 

[BalticBob]

Originally Posted By: roadrunner1
Originally Posted By: aquariuscsm
I always let mine idle until the temp gauge begins to move.


In S Texas, really?


Here in South Texas, it is so hot we park our vehicles in our refrigerated garages, makes them last longer.
Sometimes I have to use my block heater the next morning.

 

[BalticBob]

Originally Posted By: Ihatetochangeoil
At this moment, it is 18 degrees outside and my car is warming up while I have a cup of coffee. I WANT to do whatever is necessary to maintain the car, but the car was designed, engineered and purchased for MY convenience, not the other way around.

I don't particularly care if I'm wasting 15 cents or whatever small amount of gasoline. I don't live in a cold house and don't like getting in a cold car.


+ 1

 

[cmhj]

headin' out for a beer

 

[FCD]

Engines warm up much faster driving than idling, i keep the rpms low until the engine starts warming up, i'm from Northern Finland though so i understand that some people start their cars 5 minutes before jumping so it's warm inside, i really don't care if i freeze my [censored] for a few minutes

 

[JoelB]

Is there a temperature point where all of you "I drive away right away" people change to idling for a bit? It's -7F out right now for example, 2 weeks ago we hit a low of -26F during the day.

 

[FCD]

In my daily driver Peugeot i just drive right away no matter the temperature really, In the winter the lowest temperatures we see would be 0-5c ( 32-40F roughly ), i dodn't think that is cold enough to warrant any idling.
In my Capri being a bit of an old gal and running 20W-50 i am a bit more careful, i usually let the engine run about 10 seconds and i go, no matter the temperature, and also until i notice the temp gauge starts moving i keep the revs under 3000.

 

[crazyoildude]

I warm up all my engines before driving them.. I don't want my engine, transmission, Transfer case and power steering to be ice cold..