Perpetuating the cold idle myths

[TFB1]

So no one has seen the Buick commercial that shows a guy starting his car from the airplane as he is landing??? Instead of having to scrape ice & snow he and the family get into a fully warmed vehicle... Considering baggage claim and catching the shuttle out to the parking lot, probably runs at least 20 min, likely more...

It's not often below 20*F here, still I'm not setting my [censored] in a cold car, unless there's a emergency it's gonna idle 4-5 minutes while I finish getting ready to go... Warmed the wife's car for at least that yesterday & it was 46*...

 

[Bamaro]

Its foolish to let a car warm up 2 or 3 minutes before driving.
Also, please tell me how letting a car warm up will help this:
Quote:
Most cars are equipped with all-season tires, but even those can become stiff and less pliable when they are extremely cold, providing less traction, said Joe Henmueller,

 

[grampi]

Originally Posted By: turtlevette
I like to run out start it and let it idle for 30 minutes before going. Not for the car, but because I don't like being cold.



30 mins is overkill...I start my car in the winter and let it warm up for about 10 mins just because I like a warm car and clear windows...

 

[metalboy]

Originally Posted By: Donald

The hydraulic fluid in a Bobcat needs to warm up before you do any serious work. That could take 15 minutes of moving the machine slowly.



My forklift moans like a dying animal when it's cold. It still works fine but you can hear the pump whining.

 

[spackard]

Originally Posted By: Shannow
Start car, put on seatbelt and drive off sensibly.

Biggest thing I have problems is people starting with their foot on the clutch...I hate the idea of stationary thrust bearings starting loaded (millions of Jeeps don't seem to have a problem with the oil film left on them)


In the U.S. your manual transmission car won't start unless you fully depress the clutch (or have gone down there and unplugged the interlock).

 

[metalboy]

Originally Posted By: spackard
Originally Posted By: Shannow
Start car, put on seatbelt and drive off sensibly.

Biggest thing I have problems is people starting with their foot on the clutch...I hate the idea of stationary thrust bearings starting loaded (millions of Jeeps don't seem to have a problem with the oil film left on them)


In the U.S. your manual transmission car won't start unless you fully depress the clutch (or have gone down there and unplugged the interlock).


Which is how it should be. The throwout bearing has rollers, it will be fine, but the main bearings really shouldn't have to deal with the extra drag during startup. I'm firmly convinced that clutch interlocks have saved a lot of garage doors and starters since they became common.

 

[Jarlaxle]

Originally Posted By: Shannow
Start car, put on seatbelt and drive off sensibly.

Biggest thing I have problems is people starting with their foot on the clutch...I hate the idea of stationary thrust bearings starting loaded (millions of Jeeps don't seem to have a problem with the oil film left on them)


Most cars WON'T start if you don't push in the clutch anymore.

 

[Jarlaxle]

Originally Posted By: metalboy
Originally Posted By: spackard
Originally Posted By: Shannow
Start car, put on seatbelt and drive off sensibly.

Biggest thing I have problems is people starting with their foot on the clutch...I hate the idea of stationary thrust bearings starting loaded (millions of Jeeps don't seem to have a problem with the oil film left on them)


In the U.S. your manual transmission car won't start unless you fully depress the clutch (or have gone down there and unplugged the interlock).


Which is how it should be. The throwout bearing has rollers, it will be fine, but the main bearings really shouldn't have to deal with the extra drag during startup. I'm firmly convinced that clutch interlocks have saved a lot of garage doors and starters since they became common.


I jumped the interlock on my F-350. No, I do NOT want my 3000+lb pressure plate pushing on the thrust bearing at 15 degrees and zero oil pressure!

 

[SHOZ]

How is letting the car warm up going to do anything for the tires?

My cars I drive off after 20 seconds or so but after a mile are around 150F. If I stop at a sign or let it idle the temps starts to drop again.

 

[SevenBizzos]

I remember the "Reading is fundamental" campaign. Some of you don't.

The tires and the fluids are covered in two different paragraphs.

 

[IndyIan]

I think 2-3 minutes is reasonable for very cold starts. -29C this morning had the power steering pump audibley complaining for at least one minute. -10C and up though, I don't think about any special warm up time, faster I get some reasonable load into the motor, the faster the oil and me get warm.

 

[doitmyself]

It is no wonder that I read remarks on other forums about the "wacky guys at BITOG". This thread is a perfect example of the BITOG sheeple that jump on the bandwagon, passing holier than BITOG judgement on others without a clue about what they are whining about.

You guys sure look like a bunch of yahoos with one foot in their mouth. DID ANYONE EVEN OPEN THE LINK TO READ IT IN ORDER JUDGE THE CONTEXT OF THE OP'S QUOTES??????????

Waiting.......Waiting........Waiting...........

The article is about upcoming sub 0F temperatures in the Chicago land area. And, smart things to do to cope with it safely.

- "“Our concern is more for people and the things people do without thinking through hazards"........freezing pipes, home fires.......

- "Experts also cautioned motorists to take special precautions to prevent breakdowns or accidents.

- "Drivers should make sure the tires are properly inflated, he said.".......To counter the effects of bitter cold on tire flexibility,etc. WHERE DID YOU GUYS INTERPRET THAT IDLING WOULD WARM THE TIRES?.......OH, in your "pass judgement without reading" moment.

- "Motorists should let their cars idle for two or three minutes before driving them, and should drive slowly for 10 or 15 minutes to allow the fluids to reach the correct operating temperatures."

REALLY GUYS, THIS IS PERPETUATING BAD PRACTICES?????????? TWO OR THREE MINUTES IN SUB ZERO F TEMPS???????

How is this interpreted as sitting idling in a garage for long periods, as one poster suggested??????

At -12F (my temps this a.m.), how is it good to drive off immediately when the entire drivetrain (transmission, steering pump, belts, etc.) are whining from overly thick fluid?????
AGAIN, EVERYONE IGNORED THE CONTEXT OF THE ARTICLE.....SUB ZERO TEMPS!

And, how does one drive slow in the Chicagoland area for 15 minutes???????? Maybe drive around the neighborhood in circles before getting on the main streets???????

Here is the link to the original article. Read if FIRST, then maybe you all will see how silly you look. http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/chi-lateweekend-cold-front-may-push-temps-below-zero-for-2-days-20140102,0,7075120.story?page=2

Rant over.

 

[SevenBizzos]

Originally Posted By: doitmyself
Rant over.


Kind of what I was saying.

I was waiting for someone to blame the 40 "slip and fall" injuries on the 2-3 minute idling suggestion too.

 

[SHOZ]

Synthetic PS fluid will help with the whine, pump whine that is....

 

[doitmyself]

Originally Posted By: SHOZ
Synthetic PS fluid will help with the whine, pump whine that is....


I'm glad that you clarified your statement, because I initially assumed you meant that two tablespoons in the morning would alleviate BITOG whine.

Hey, it's all in good fun. I'm "off" today (still have to move snow) and am enjoying my coffee and BITOG this morning.

 

[SHOZ]

Originally Posted By: doitmyself
Originally Posted By: SHOZ
Synthetic PS fluid will help with the whine, pump whine that is....


I'm glad that you clarified your statement, because I initially assumed you meant that two tablespoons in the morning would alleviate BITOG whine.

Hey, it's all in good fun. I'm "off" today (still have to move snow) and am enjoying my coffee and BITOG this morning.


Yes I've been "victimized" by some whine fest threads in the last month. I just keep plugging along though. Got rid of the snow yesterday. Too cold out today to do much more than go to the mail box.

 

[hattaresguy]

I only let vehicles idle to warm up when I'm clearing snow off them. I need the HVAC heat to melt what it can so I can see!

A lot of big diesels won't ever warm up just idling, you need to put them under a light load.

 

[itguy08]

Originally Posted By: Jarlaxle

I jumped the interlock on my F-350. No, I do NOT want my 3000+lb pressure plate pushing on the thrust bearing at 15 degrees and zero oil pressure!


Since when are throwout bearings lubed by engine oil? Aren't they all sealed units?

 

[itguy08]

Originally Posted By: doitmyself

At -12F (my temps this a.m.), how is it good to drive off immediately when the entire drivetrain (transmission, steering pump, belts, etc.) are whining from overly thick fluid?????
AGAIN, EVERYONE IGNORED THE CONTEXT OF THE ARTICLE.....SUB ZERO TEMPS!


How is it bad? How does it measurably affect the life of the automobile? Chances are it won't at all. My previous car would whine all the time when it got cold. Usually went away in the 1/4 mile to the highway. Or shortly after getting on the highway. 98k and no issues.

 

[metalboy]

Originally Posted By: itguy08
Originally Posted By: Jarlaxle

I jumped the interlock on my F-350. No, I do NOT want my 3000+lb pressure plate pushing on the thrust bearing at 15 degrees and zero oil pressure!


Since when are throwout bearings lubed by engine oil? Aren't they all sealed units?


Throwout bearings in the transmission are (or at least should be!) sealed roller units. He's worried about the crankshaft thrust bearing.