Warming it up in the morning

[NO2]

Warming up the engine doesn't warm up the transmission, steering, brakes, etc. Driving the car does all of them. Idling is just a waste of gas. Most modern cars warm within a few miles anyway.

To prevent excessive wear accelerate gradually and don't drive too fast(< 65) when your car is cold.

The only reason to warm up your car is if you need your defroster working properly as soon as you leave. A block heater is great for sub zero (F) temps.

 

[Nick1994]

So just don't start it up on a cold morning and instantly try to get my best 0-60 time? Haha! Sounds good. Thanks.

 

[AHC]

~30 seconds

 

[nitehawk55]

That is why I use a 0W* grade of oil so it flows fast and my engine is DOHC . I start and head right onto a highway at 100kph 200 feet after leaving my driveway in the tiny hamlet I live in . I try and accelerate to bring it up to speed while keeping the revs around 2500 .
It won't hurt it !

In AZ with a GM small block ? damage?....LOL !

 

[Cristobal]

In good weather I always let it run for about thirty seconds to get the oil up.

In winter around here, I let it run for slightly longer, then off I go.

If it is brutally cold, zero F. or less, I will let it warm up for about five minutes.

 

[Garak]

Originally Posted By: Nick1994
What's a good rule of thumb you guys do for warming up your car to get the oil flowing? In the summer I generally let it run for about 15-20 seconds and take off, but in the winter I wait about a minute or a little longer.

Nissan/Infiniti recommends a minimum of 30 seconds all the time. Obviously, that may have to be a bit longer under certain conditions (in -40 in Saskatchewan, you're not driving anywhere after 30 seconds unless you have a scraper in one hand and the wheel in the other).

It's good practice to never flog an engine until the oil is at operating temperatures, but that's really a different issue. In your climate, the 15 or 20 seconds you're doing is just fine. Carry on gently and reasonably until things are up to temperatures, that's all.

 

[Clevy]

Originally Posted By: chad8
Has been proven forever. No warmup is necessary . Probably bad for an engine . Oil flows better at higher rpm's. Not at idle. All this cold start nonsense is pure fantasy.


Huh? When the oil is cold and you elevate the rpms like merging onto the expressway,you may at some point force a by-pass event which means unfiltered oil pumping through the oil galleys. It's your car.


Originally Posted By: NO2
Warming up the engine doesn't warm up the transmission, steering, brakes, etc. Driving the car does all of them. Idling is just a waste of gas. Most modern cars warm within a few miles anyway.

To prevent excessive wear accelerate gradually and don't drive too fast(< 65) when your car is cold.

The only reason to warm up your car is if you need your defroster working properly as soon as you leave. A block heater is great for sub zero (F) temps.


Don't most(all) vehicles have tranny fluid pumping through the radiator. Most I've ever seen and owned do anyways,which mean the tranny fluid is warming up as it idles.
Try -40 sometime. Tires are frozen flat and take a couple miles to got rounded again,the engine making sounds that cause you to cringe.
You'd be giving it enough time to warm up then I'm pretty sure. If not your breath will frost up the inside of the windshield.

 

[Garak]

Originally Posted By: Nick1994
So just don't start it up on a cold morning and instantly try to get my best 0-60 time? Haha! Sounds good.

Yes, that's the gist of it very simply stated. From now on, that should be the first and only answer to such questions.

 

[CharBaby]

Although, I have never had any engine problems related to quick startups and taking off, my wife starts the engine and the tranny is in "D" before the idle has dropped from the stratup itself.

Yes, I grit my teeth everytime but, I've had some cars for 15-18 years and never a problem...I just hate that

It's like everytime she slams the car doors(alot), I squint my eyes and shrugg my shoulders/cover my ears. But, nothing has ever happened to the windows/motors/switches...Nothing!...maybe a little rattling. It's just her way of closing a door...SLAAAAM!!!

Otherwise, she is a very loving, lovely, gentle & happy lady(36 yrs)

_______________________________________________________________________________

GOOD COOK TOO!

 

[05LGTLtd]

With the turbo Legacy, I warm up a minimum of 1 min in 60*+ temps. Below that its an unscientific inverse scale of up to 5mins for very cold, for here at least, starts in the 10-15*F range. Then drive easy for first 5-8 mins.

 

[tig1]

I just start and drive. Maybe in the coldest mornings in winter I might let it run for 15 secs.

 

[rshaw125]

I had an old Intrepid that you had to let run (cold weather) for at least a minute for the pressure to build up in the trans. Otherwise it would not go into reverse.
So out of habit I still start the car and then put on seatbelt etc.

 

[lovcom]

In the mornings in Chicago winter, I start the car up, place a brick on the gas pedal, which holds the RPM's to 6,000, then go inside and have a nice 15 minute breakfast. By the time I drive off, the car is 210F and it's all toasty and nice.

 

[Brent_G]

Spring/Summer/Fall - long enough to get situated and ready to go - 15 seconds or so.

Winter - Long enough to scrape the windows and away I go - 1 Minute or so.

Once it starts getting -15 or colder I will hit the auto start about 2 minutes before I leave.

 

[gogozy]

I start to park car in garage in winter, and the temperature reading is about 12-15c, which is the outside temperature in the summer morning. I like to warm up the car, but i also hate the open-loop exhaust smell in the garage, so it's a tough choice, usually 5-10 sec in the garage. i recall a discussion here many years ago, it's not just oil need warm up, transmission, power steering, differentials also need this part too, and some say only want to warm them is to drive, so i always drive slowly for the first few min. my wife, it's a different story.

 

[bigt61]

30 seconds in summer, 1 minute in winter. Below 0F I would warm up 2-5 minutes, but that doesn't happen in Virginia. Drive gently until the thermostat opens.

 

[Durango]

Originally Posted By: Nick1994
What's a good rule of thumb you guys do for warming up your car to get the oil flowing? In the summer I generally let it run for about 15-20 seconds and take off, but in the winter I wait about a minute or a little longer. Note I am in Phoenix so these temperatures aren't very cold, until January or so where it gets into the 30s on a cold morning.

I've gotten up to leave and it's 30-35 degrees a d really cold and seen neighbors fire their car up and drive away nearly giving it enough time for the engine to start, and they put it in gear and take off. What kind of damage does this do?


Nick1994,

Your region get super cold around this time in the mornings so your method of warming it up for for a minute or so is prudent. I myself will take off when my temperature gauge begins to move on the dial so that may be about a couple minutes.

Personally driving away right away in the kind of cold that you get in Phoenix is a no no when it comes to my cars. Any damages occured at that time I can't say but driving away at a higher RPM can't be good in my thoughts.

Durango

 

[Quattro Pete]

Originally Posted By: Durango
Your region get super cold around this time

You guys are cracking me up.

 

[Brent_G]

Originally Posted By: Quattro Pete
Originally Posted By: Durango
Your region get super cold around this time

You guys are cracking me up.

They need to come north for the winter!

 

[Nick1994]

I can't tell if he's joking or not. Phoenix? Ha! It was like 55 this morning, just cold enough for me to be a wuss and turn on the heater.