Is it really necessary sitting engine on a cold winter day?
Registered User
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 1,080
Likes: 15
From: Where the Sopranos and Saguaros are
I read it and I agree that unnecessary idling wastes gas. However, all of us have our own definition of unnecessary. Stated another way, I only let my car idle the necessary amount of time in which I believe I can drive safely while at the same time imo, the drive train can handle normal driving situations based on the outside temperature.
i find the time it takes to belt up, adjust radio, adjust heat, set info screen, turn on lights, etc, takes a good 30sec or so. at this point the revs have dropped (if not freezing cold) so driving off is fine. then it's an easy drive for the first few mins. "waiting" ~30-60sec is not a nuisance, nor do i think it is excessive. allows for engine oil to flow which is important for wear & tear.
if it's sub-zero temps then a bit longer is reasonable, but not much. usually scraping windows takes longer - for those unlucky enough to park outside.
if it's sub-zero temps then a bit longer is reasonable, but not much. usually scraping windows takes longer - for those unlucky enough to park outside.
Thread Starter
Registered User
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 468
Likes: 8
I did a test yesterday after work around 6:00PM , temperature about 60F, Southern Cali
when the needle actual drops it doesnt pass below 1 but stay at 1, (while started the car it's about up rev above 1, so what about you guys?
when the needle actual drops it doesnt pass below 1 but stay at 1, (while started the car it's about up rev above 1, so what about you guys?
Thread Starter
Registered User
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 468
Likes: 8
common sense tells me that an extended warmup (5-10 min) is overkill and unnecessary, however if it's frosty out a brief warmup (~1-2 min) to allow proper lubrication circulation is wise. then, once starting out driving, take it easy until all other driveline fluids are up to operating temps.
i park in an unheated garage and usually go with a 30sec "warmup" before pulling the car out, but it doesn't get very cold here. and my first few kms are primarily downhill which allows a good warmup period.
i park in an unheated garage and usually go with a 30sec "warmup" before pulling the car out, but it doesn't get very cold here. and my first few kms are primarily downhill which allows a good warmup period.
I recall read an article a few month ago, saying it's unnecessary for car to warm up because our cars are relevant modern, it's kind of like some articles claiming eating eggs' yolk are bad for you, but it's actually contains protein which is good for memory build. sort of off the topic but common sense stays true.
Registered Member
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 145
Likes: 9
I always wait until the temperature gauge stabilizes to drive it hard but I usually start it, wait 10 seconds and go. The exception is when it is very cold here in Chicago (close to zero or below zero). When I start the engine it makes a distinctly different noise - almost like a moan. In those cases I will let it warm up for a minute or so until noise goes away. Modern multi viscosity oils flow well at lower temperatures so oil flow isn't a huge problem.
Ever try to turn over an engine at very cold temperature with single viscosity oil grade 30 oil (i.e. a lawn tractor)? If it's too cold, it wont happen!
brian
Ever try to turn over an engine at very cold temperature with single viscosity oil grade 30 oil (i.e. a lawn tractor)? If it's too cold, it wont happen!
brian
Every car mechanic I have ever talked to, every car magazine that I have ever read, have all said that you should at a minimum warm your car up from 30 secs to a minute. With respect to our particular car you want to warm it up until the RPMs drop from 1500 to right above 1000. Also like canucklehead said, even after you warmed it up for a minute, you want to take it easy on the car until the rest of the drivetrain components warm up as well. I generally wait until the RPMs drop to 1100ish then drive real easy for about a mile or two. I also get the same transmission jump that CRV_33 gets if I try to start driving too soon before the engine warms up, just lets me know to go back into neutral and wait another 30 seconds.
TL;DR - Waste 30 seconds every day for 10 yrs or waste 2 weeks plus hundreds if not thousands of dollars 10 years from now when your car is in the shop. Your choice.
TL;DR - Waste 30 seconds every day for 10 yrs or waste 2 weeks plus hundreds if not thousands of dollars 10 years from now when your car is in the shop. Your choice.
Registered User
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 420
Likes: 8
From: Wichita, Kansas
I always wait until the temperature gauge stabilizes to drive it hard but I usually start it, wait 10 seconds and go. The exception is when it is very cold here in Chicago (close to zero or below zero). When I start the engine it makes a distinctly different noise - almost like a moan. In those cases I will let it warm up for a minute or so until noise goes away. Modern multi viscosity oils flow well at lower temperatures so oil flow isn't a huge problem.
Ever try to turn over an engine at very cold temperature with single viscosity oil grade 30 oil (i.e. a lawn tractor)? If it's too cold, it wont happen!
brian
Ever try to turn over an engine at very cold temperature with single viscosity oil grade 30 oil (i.e. a lawn tractor)? If it's too cold, it wont happen!
brian
Registered User
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
I always wait until the temperature gauge stabilizes to drive it hard but I usually start it, wait 10 seconds and go. The exception is when it is very cold here in Chicago (close to zero or below zero). When I start the engine it makes a distinctly different noise - almost like a moan. In those cases I will let it warm up for a minute or so until noise goes away. Modern multi viscosity oils flow well at lower temperatures so oil flow isn't a huge problem.
Ever try to turn over an engine at very cold temperature with single viscosity oil grade 30 oil (i.e. a lawn tractor)? If it's too cold, it wont happen!
brian
Ever try to turn over an engine at very cold temperature with single viscosity oil grade 30 oil (i.e. a lawn tractor)? If it's too cold, it wont happen!
brian
Registered User
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 286
Likes: 1
From: Cary, NC
Every car mechanic I have ever talked to, every car magazine that I have ever read, have all said that you should at a minimum warm your car up from 30 secs to a minute. With respect to our particular car you want to warm it up until the RPMs drop from 1500 to right above 1000. Also like canucklehead said, even after you warmed it up for a minute, you want to take it easy on the car until the rest of the drivetrain components warm up as well. I generally wait until the RPMs drop to 1100ish then drive real easy for about a mile or two. I also get the same transmission jump that CRV_33 gets if I try to start driving too soon before the engine warms up, just lets me know to go back into neutral and wait another 30 seconds.
TL;DR - Waste 30 seconds every day for 10 yrs or waste 2 weeks plus hundreds if not thousands of dollars 10 years from now when your car is in the shop. Your choice.
TL;DR - Waste 30 seconds every day for 10 yrs or waste 2 weeks plus hundreds if not thousands of dollars 10 years from now when your car is in the shop. Your choice.
Registered User
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 71
Likes: 0
From: Denver, CO
I have a 20 mile drive one-way to work. I usually start my car and wait till the rpm needle drops down to 1000. Then I start driving and take it easy till I hit the freeway (about 1 mile) and by that time the engine temp needle usually has reached its stable position that it stays at till I get to work.
check out this article.. i get in my car and go..never wait for it to warm up
Should I Let My Car Warm Up Each Morning?
Should I Let My Car Warm Up Each Morning?
makes sense to me
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Tunerz_Store
Brakes/Suspension
117
Jul 16, 2018 02:04 PM
b2autodesigns
Brakes/Suspension
128
Mar 24, 2018 07:44 PM
