startup in cold weather...how long to warm up?

[demarpaint]

Originally Posted By: Craig in Canada
Originally Posted By: demarpaint
I'm sure a stone cold transmission and rear aren't benefitting from taking off after flipping the key in the cold weather. I think the rear is probably the least effected though.


The rear end also doesn't see any benefit from a 15 minute warmup. ONLY driving will warm it up. An automatic, particularly those with coolant/t-fluid heat exchanger, will warm up from idling but a manual doesn't see a lot of benefit.

Those warming their engines until they're toasty and then driving off like "it's all covered" are potentially doing far more harm to their vehicles than those who know that everything is cold and drive appropriately gentle. Then all systems warm up together.



I agree 100%. My warm up is until the engine speed drops to ~1000 rpms. Then I feel putting my automatic transmission into drive or reverse is not jolting it, and my clutch isn't burning up engaging a high engine speed. My "typical" warm up is usually under 2 minutes depending on temps. Then it's an easy 1 mile ride to the parkway, and a long acceleration ramp. It is very rare that I have to mash it to get onto the parkway.

 

[lexus114]

Originally Posted By: demarpaint
Originally Posted By: Craig in Canada
Originally Posted By: demarpaint
I'm sure a stone cold transmission and rear aren't benefitting from taking off after flipping the key in the cold weather. I think the rear is probably the least effected though.


The rear end also doesn't see any benefit from a 15 minute warmup. ONLY driving will warm it up. An automatic, particularly those with coolant/t-fluid heat exchanger, will warm up from idling but a manual doesn't see a lot of benefit.

Those warming their engines until they're toasty and then driving off like "it's all covered" are potentially doing far more harm to their vehicles than those who know that everything is cold and drive appropriately gentle. Then all systems warm up together.



I agree 100%. My warm up is until the engine speed drops to ~1000 rpms. Then I feel putting my automatic transmission into drive or reverse is not jolting it, and my clutch isn't burning up engaging a high engine speed. My "typical" warm up is usually under 2 minutes depending on temps. Then it's an easy 1 mile ride to the parkway, and a long acceleration ramp. It is very rare that I have to mash it to get onto the parkway.



You would here.

 

[cp3]

Originally Posted By: Craig in Canada
The rear end also doesn't see any benefit from a 15 minute warmup. ONLY driving will warm it up. An automatic, particularly those with coolant/t-fluid heat exchanger, will warm up from idling but a manual doesn't see a lot of benefit.

Those warming their engines until they're toasty and then driving off like "it's all covered" are potentially doing far more harm to their vehicles than those who know that everything is cold and drive appropriately gentle. Then all systems warm up together.



+1

 

[webfors]

Originally Posted By: Audi Junkie

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.


I like that formula!

The key in sub zero is *not* to start and hammer the gas. Treat her nice and gentlemanly like until she warms up.

 

[lexus114]

Definitely Plus 1 ^^^^^^

 

[lexrx3]

Just like a woman. You just can't jump on it go full speed. They don't like that. You need to ease into it.

 

[Capa]

I wonder what the record is on a production car for the tach to reach 1000 rpm irrespective of outside temp. On my cars and our coldest winters I'd say 2 minutes max. They both have syn.

 

[Craig in Canada]

Originally Posted By: Capa
I wonder what the record is on a production car for the tach to reach 1000 rpm irrespective of outside temp. On my cars and our coldest winters I'd say 2 minutes max. They both have syn.


I don't understand. All of the cars I've had in almost 10 years (not a huge selection, granted) don't have any real fast idle behaviour. I guess the record is "0"? I suppose my idle may jump from 650 to perhaps 750 for the first 15 seconds or so...

 

[demarpaint]

Originally Posted By: Capa
I wonder what the record is on a production car for the tach to reach 1000 rpm irrespective of outside temp. On my cars and our coldest winters I'd say 2 minutes max. They both have syn.


It's about 2 minutes maybe a little less for my vehicles as well, even in the coldest weather I've experienced. Well worth the wait IMO.

 

[rclint]

Hammer down if your in a hurry, cold or hot... wait wait wait... we talking about women or engine ?

Ok restart (pun intended) I don't baby my engine in the least when cold start comes around, I don't put the hammer down mind you unless I need to, but I accelerate to the desired speed in a quick normal fashion manor, no babying it because it's cold in the sense that I just barely accelerate etc.

 

[Jaymus]

SD computer 5.0 EFI engines in the 80's F150's start up and rev at 1500RPM irregardless of outside temperature (on a cold start) and comes down to normal idle after 15-30 seconds.

 

[Errtt]

Originally Posted By: lexrx3
Just like a woman. You just can't jump on it go full speed. They don't like that. You need to ease into it.


Oh yes you can on those times when I'm in a hurry - lol

In the cold mornings when going to work, I let it run till the high idle drops down some 1-2 minutes. But when I leave from work, I drop it into gear at about half that - got to get out of there.
Until the temp gauge is up to normal (1/2-way), I just take it easy on the gas driving it under load.
Now if the windshield is ice or fogged up,I let it run until it clear mostly.