I was thinking about this. When starting up in cold weather (like down to 15F), it probably doesn't take more than a second or two before oil is moving under pressure inside the engine (assuming a proper weight and maybe even synth). I know wear happens more at that time, but is there any difference between starting driving within a few seconds or waiting 30 seconds as many suggest?
startup in cold weather...how long to warm up?
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Probably not much. I think, in most engine designs, the rod/crank bearings are the first things lubed. Probably have pressure there as soon as your oil light shuts off after startup.
I usually wait about 10 seconds before I drive off during really cold weather. But honestly, I usually have to let it run for a few minutes to defrost the windshield..
I usually wait about 10 seconds before I drive off during really cold weather. But honestly, I usually have to let it run for a few minutes to defrost the windshield..
No, probably no difference, really. In fact, the longer the engine sits at idle in your drive way, the longer it says cold with cold oil. Most people have to spend a minute or two driving out of a subdivision or apartment complex, that's probably all the time it really needs. That's your warm up time, IMO. I thought for ages that my poor cars engine was slow and angry on cold mornings (this was when I was much younger ... like 5 years ago... haha
) It would start off so slowly, i could barely get the poor thing moving. Then i changed the transmission fluid and all was right in the world again. *shrug*
gathermewool
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Originally Posted By: Virtuoso
Probably not much. I think, in most engine designs, the rod/crank bearings are the first things lubed. Probably have pressure there as soon as your oil light shuts off after startup.
I usually wait about 10 seconds before I drive off during really cold weather. But honestly, I usually have to let it run for a few minutes to defrost the windshield..
+1
Probably not much. I think, in most engine designs, the rod/crank bearings are the first things lubed. Probably have pressure there as soon as your oil light shuts off after startup.
I usually wait about 10 seconds before I drive off during really cold weather. But honestly, I usually have to let it run for a few minutes to defrost the windshield..
+1
In most cases I scrape the windows before I turn the truck on. After I'm done I'll get in, start the truck put my seat belt on and back the truck out of the driveway. I don't rev it or use higher rpms until the truck is warm. It warms up pretty quickly driving versus idling in the driveway and it saves gas.
Whimsey
Whimsey
All of the above. The wear is because the parts are cold.
Keep in mind that as you motivate through the gears out of your subdivision or whatever, the tach is likely indicating about 2000 rpm...the equivalent of about 60 mph on the freeway. So, just take it easy for a few minutes after a cold start.
Also, it's not only the engine that needs some lubrication. The transmission etc. needs to come up to operating temps.
Also, it's not only the engine that needs some lubrication. The transmission etc. needs to come up to operating temps.
If its sub zero, I like to give it a couple of minutes, my Subie has piston slap and under load it sounds like the motor is coming apart, lol. Once its warmed up, it purrs like a kitten.
I let the tach tell me when to take off. I start the engine and when the tach dips under 1000 rpms I take off. This way the auto transmission doesn't slam into gear, and I don't burn up the clutch in my van taking off. Then I drive nice and easy.
I let all my engines warm up for at least 4 minutes on very cold days
It's "how long do you warm the engine up?" thread season! Here's to the dozens of times it will be revisited over the next few months.
I run syn in the winter, so I pretty much start up and go, UNLESS its so cold I can't even stand to sit in the car.. Then I let it warm up for the sake of my cold arse.
Depends on the vehicle.
I know for myself,I will start the Explorer,and I will not budge until the idle drops to around 1000rpm.There's no way I'm moving or dropping the transmission into gear,when the idle is @ 2000rpm or above.
I know for myself,I will start the Explorer,and I will not budge until the idle drops to around 1000rpm.There's no way I'm moving or dropping the transmission into gear,when the idle is @ 2000rpm or above.
Originally Posted By: DragRace
Depends on the vehicle.
I know for myself,I will start the Explorer,and I will not budge until the idle drops to around 1000rpm.There's no way I'm moving or dropping the transmission into gear,when the idle is @ 2000rpm or above.
EXACTLY! Which is why I let the tach tell me when to take off.
Depends on the vehicle.
I know for myself,I will start the Explorer,and I will not budge until the idle drops to around 1000rpm.There's no way I'm moving or dropping the transmission into gear,when the idle is @ 2000rpm or above.
EXACTLY! Which is why I let the tach tell me when to take off.
I made a good formula for warm-ups...
One second at idle for every degree below freezing F.
So, at +12f, that's 20 seconds idle.
Above freezing, no idle.
One second at idle for every degree below freezing F.
So, at +12f, that's 20 seconds idle.
Above freezing, no idle.
Originally Posted By: demarpaint
Originally Posted By: DragRace
Depends on the vehicle.
I know for myself,I will start the Explorer,and I will not budge until the idle drops to around 1000rpm.There's no way I'm moving or dropping the transmission into gear,when the idle is @ 2000rpm or above.
EXACTLY! Which is why I let the tach tell me when to take off.
I've watched for many years working late nights(2am)just how many people just get in their vehicles and go,no matter how cold it may be outside.One guy last year found out it wasn't so smart,as he found out the hard way of replacing a motor in his durango. Another lady found out how dangerous it can be,she left her windows completely froze over with just a slight scrape with the ice scraper,she almost had an accident later that night,because she couldnt see through the windshield!
Originally Posted By: DragRace
Depends on the vehicle.
I know for myself,I will start the Explorer,and I will not budge until the idle drops to around 1000rpm.There's no way I'm moving or dropping the transmission into gear,when the idle is @ 2000rpm or above.
EXACTLY! Which is why I let the tach tell me when to take off.
I've watched for many years working late nights(2am)just how many people just get in their vehicles and go,no matter how cold it may be outside.One guy last year found out it wasn't so smart,as he found out the hard way of replacing a motor in his durango. Another lady found out how dangerous it can be,she left her windows completely froze over with just a slight scrape with the ice scraper,she almost had an accident later that night,because she couldnt see through the windshield!
i get in my car, turn the key, and put it in reverse, all in less then 5 seconds....
about 2-3 minutes before that tho i use a remote starter to start it. my car, even tho its barely 10 years old, makes some pretty nasty noises if i drive it right away on extremely cold mornings
my fairmont sits until im able to kick the idle down, which is 1-3 minutes depending on the temperature
about 2-3 minutes before that tho i use a remote starter to start it. my car, even tho its barely 10 years old, makes some pretty nasty noises if i drive it right away on extremely cold mornings
my fairmont sits until im able to kick the idle down, which is 1-3 minutes depending on the temperature
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