Do you warm up your car!?

C_Breeze · 03-09-2007 10:21am #1

Do you warm your car up in the morning or even just when starting it from cold?

(i.e. Warming the engine up as opposed to blasting the heat!)

Every morning before I go to work , I will turn on my car and let it idle for 2 or 3 mins before I open the gates and drive off.. Just to give it a chance to "open its eyes", warm itself up a bit and for the oil to move around & lubricate the engine.

The reason I ask is because every morning, when i see my my neigbour go to work , he just starts the car, throws it into gear and is gone in a flash!! (literally 1 second after he starts the car)

... Every time i see that i think that cant be good for the car can it!

Any one else do this , any one any thoughts!?

Mitch Connor · 03-09-2007 10:31am

I might be your neighbour....

I'm not really, but that is what i do.

Stark · 03-09-2007 10:36am

If I had 2-3 mins to sit around every morning, I'd probably spend it having a cup of tea instead. I'm definitely in the "hop into the car and go" category. That said, the car does feel rough for the first few minutes after I take it out.

Avns1s · 03-09-2007 10:39am

I think the general consensus on this issue has changed and it's now accepted that leaving the car for a few minutes to warm up does as much or more damage ot the engine as driving straight off. More damage to the environment and your pocket also.

For my part, I have never warmed up a car in the morning unless I'm waiting for the heater to clear the frost of the windscreen for some reason.

crosstownk · 03-09-2007 10:40am

Stark wrote:

If I had 2-3 mins to sit around every morning, I'd probably spend it having a cup of tea instead. I'm definitely in the "hop into the car and go" category. That said, the car does feel rough for the first few minutes after I take it out.

Exactly! I don't have spare minutes in the morning!

I just drive away - but I don't rev the engine too high for the first few minutes.

JohnCleary · 03-09-2007 10:41am

I let it idle for 1 min, then don't let her over 2k RPM until the temp needle is where it should be.

With the boat engine (diesel too) I let her idle for 2-3 min, and don't drive it above 1500RPM until temp has reached where it should be.

Anan1 · 03-09-2007 10:42am

Never, unless it's necessary to demist/de-ice the windows. I do drive gently until the car has warmed through, though. Not that it's any great hardship, in normal driving my car never goes above 2,000rpm.

seamus · 03-09-2007 10:44am

As others have said, I'd let it idle if I need to de-mist (though I don't take it out in the mornings much), but largely I'm in the car, engine on, CD in and I'm gone. I keep the revs sensible though until the engine's at a normal temp.

Naturally, driving the thing will heat up the engine quicker than letting it idle, so if it's cold I'm eager to get going so the heater works quicker.

Wishbone Ash · 03-09-2007 10:44am

C_Breeze wrote:

i see my my neigbour go to work , he just starts the car, throws it into gear and is gone in a flash!! ....
... Every time i see that i think that cant be good for the car can it!

Your neighbour cares for his car. What he does is correct. An idling car will take a lot longer to heat up as it is not under any pressure and therefore the engine wear is prolonged.

You should always move off after starting a cold engine.

(Obviously not if the windscreen is frosted/snowed over or if it is a large vehicle such as a truck or bus).

RobAMerc · 03-09-2007 10:45am

I give it a couple of seconds while I fix my hair

- ok look for my hair, and I never give it the beans until the needle hits norm temps.

C_Breeze · 03-09-2007 10:46am

Well even if i dont have time in the morning , I would leave it for at least 30 seconds .. while i put on my seat belt and a Cd or somethin.

I just think it looks really rough to just start it and hockey it out of the driveway in 1 second.

Avens1s ...where did you get that info from . I doubt what im doin would actually be worse that just going straight away

_Kaiser_ · 03-09-2007 10:49am

Avns1s wrote:

I think the general consensus on this issue has changed and it's now accepted that leaving the car for a few minutes to warm up does as much or more damage ot the engine as driving straight off. More damage to the environment and your pocket also.

I think the owners manual for my Passat says something about letting it idle like that can do more damage alright

C_Breeze · 03-09-2007 10:53am

Kaiser2000 wrote:

I think the owners manual for my Passat says something about letting it idle like that can do more damage alright

Bingo , thats why also why i created this thread .... becuase i read that in my friends Passat manual ... I was told however , thats only beacuse its a german car .. and they have strict emiision and noise regulation over there ... it doesnt actually state that its bad for the engine!

biko · 03-09-2007 10:54am

http://autorepair.about.com/library/a/1h/bl151h.htm

Mayshine · 03-09-2007 11:00am

Idling doesn't warm your gearbox or differential oil. Hence when you pull off with a warm engine you would be more inclined to drive it harder and put undue stress on these parts.

Also it pollutes more than necessary. Just start the engine give it 10-15 seconds for oil pressure to build and oil to be squirted everywhere and drive away nice and easy.

Also your oil will reach its operating temperature and max effectiveness well after the coolant has, therefore best to wait a little longer after the coolent needle has hit its operating temperature before ragging it.

fletch · 03-09-2007 11:01am

Yes I drive mine off the second it's going. I would never let it idle. As has been mentioned above, an engine doesn't warm up very quickly when it's not under load so I would rather get moving and get it heated up. My car(a diesel) can often take nearly 6 miles before the temperature gauge even moves! I also wouldn't rev it over 2.5k until it's fully heated up.

Rovi · 03-09-2007 11:04am

I start the engine immediately on embarkation and let it idle for the 30 or so seconds it takes me to don seatbelt and sunglasses (if required), switch on lights, fiddle with radio, and connect phone to hands free system.
I'll then drive off, but keep it under 3k revs and no big throttle openings until it's up to temperature.

Steve · 03-09-2007 11:05am

Depends on the oil that is in the engine and also the outside temp.

JohnCleary wrote:

I let it idle for 1 min, then don't let her over 2k RPM until the temp needle is where it should be.

The water temp gauge in most cars is a poor indicator of engine temp. Usually it will take 10mins of "normal" driving for the oil to reach working temp of around 80deg and achieve optimum viscosity. The water temp will display warm after 2-3mins and the oil can still be sub 40deg.

I don't know about idling damaging your engine - sounds like German emmissions control tosh - I've never seen that in a car manual.
Best practice is to take it easy (revs wise) on the engine for the first 10 mins.

barryfitz · 03-09-2007 11:11am

Nope, I usually get in and move off straight away. The way I drive it then depends on how late i am for the train.:D 174K miles later and she still runs like clock-work!

nialler · 03-09-2007 11:28am

I move off straight away but will not accelerate harshly or floor it until she's up to temp (88 degrees).

JohnCleary · 03-09-2007 11:31am

I have an oil and coolant sensor in my boat and car (Look's a bit naff in a 3 series but I like to know what's going on in my engine - Would like to fit a boost gauge but a bit too chav I think - but have one installed on the marine engine)

stevec wrote:

Depends on the oil that is in the engine and also the outside temp.

The water temp gauge in most cars is a poor indicator of engine temp. Usually it will take 10mins of "normal" driving for the oil to reach working temp of around 80deg and achieve optimum viscosity. The water temp will display warm after 2-3mins and the oil can still be sub 40deg.

I don't know about idling damaging your engine - sounds like German emmissions control tosh - I've never seen that in a car manual.
Best practice is to take it easy (revs wise) on the engine for the first 10 mins.

Steve · 03-09-2007 11:57am

JohnCleary wrote:

I have an oil and coolant sensor in my boat and car (Look's a bit naff in a 3 series but I like to know what's going on in my engine - Would like to fit a boost gauge but a bit too chav I think - but have one installed on the marine engine)

Sorry - I wasn't criticising you in any way. You obviously know more than most about engines.
I was just pointing out the fact that most people incorrectly believe that an engine is up to temperature when the water temp gauge says so.

Nothing naff about a proper oil temp gauge in the car - I have one.

Marine diesels are a different story - they most certainly should be allowed to reach working temp before going above 1k revs - they don't suffer as much wear as auto diesels though because 90% of their life is at a constant RPM.

C_Breeze · 03-09-2007 12:06pm

Ok well 2 - 3 min was a bit of an exagerration .. usually up to 1 minute.

Anywho , i checked my manual and it says - in c old weather or when the car has been sittin idle to let it warm up a bit and wait at least 10 seconds before driving off

JohnCleary · 03-09-2007 12:18pm

stevec wrote:

Sorry - I wasn't criticising you in any way. You obviously know more than most about engines.
I was just pointing out the fact that most people incorrectly believe that an engine is up to temperature when the water temp gauge says so.

Nothing naff about a proper oil temp gauge in the car - I have one.

Marine diesels are a different story - they most certainly should be allowed to reach working temp before going above 1k revs - they don't suffer as much wear as auto diesels though because 90% of their life is at a constant RPM.

No offence taken etc etc

Marine engine's are a different story yeah - Spending most of their life at about 3/4 of WideOpenThrottle RPM ... They need to vary.

I understand where you're coming from thought re. coolant VS. oil temp. People presume their engine is ready to rock'n'roll just because their coolant temp is saying the engine is warm. Pitty most people forget about engine/gearbox/diff oil

daedalus2097 · 03-09-2007 12:49pm

My Golf manual says to drive off straight away but not to push it hard until the oil reaches temp (there's an oil temp display available on the dash). Doesn't mention being more damaging, but I've never seen a car manual say to idle it until warmed up.

Ronan H · 03-09-2007 12:56pm

I usually just head off straight away too, but i would have 30 seconds or so of seat belt, iPod etc... stuff before bailing.

On a similar note, when you turn the key and the dashboard lights come on is it necessary to always wait until they go out before gunning the engine? I always wait but im not sure why i do it, i just remember always doing it since i started driving. Is there any benefit or wha?

Gunning Head

JohnCleary · 03-09-2007 1:00pm

Head wrote:

I usually just head off straight away too, but i would have 30 seconds or so of seat belt, iPod etc... stuff before bailing.

On a similar note, when you turn the key and the dashboard lights come on is it necessary to always wait until they go out before gunning the engine? I always wait but im not sure why i do it, i just remember always doing it since i started driving. Is there any benefit or wha?

Gunning Head

There's a light on the 320d and the manual (And people on forums) state that you shouldnt start the car until the light goes out. Something like 'DDE' it says, something about engine management.

Out of habit I always wait until the light's go out (because of the DDE light) before starting the engine

Steve · 03-09-2007 1:03pm

If it's cold, you should wait for the pre-heat (diesel only) to go out, besides that it doesn't matter (ABS Airbag etc..)

Max_Damage · 03-09-2007 2:31pm

I leave mine to warm up for about 5-10 minutes. Since my car has a carburettor, it can be very sluggish when cold, plus when the gearbox is cold, it has a tendency of not going into 2nd gear.

commited · 03-09-2007 2:48pm

It's widely accepted that it is better to drive your car gentley until it warms up, rather than leave it sitting idling - so that's what I do. The only idling I do on purpose is to let my turbo cool down after driving for about 30seconds to a minute.

cpoh1 · 03-09-2007 2:50pm

I love these comments coming from people who say that warming a car up does more damage to the car than driving it and have nothing more than a passat owners manual to back it up. How exactly can an engine running at 1400rpm do more damage to a car than an engine running at 2500rpm under load? Why do rally and race cars let their oil temp reach a decent temperature before driving their cars?

I personally never let my skyline out of the driveway until the oil temp gauge reads 80 degrees, usually takes about 10 minutes idleing. My daily driver I drive straight from the driveway cold.

Anan1 · 03-09-2007 3:06pm

cpoh1 wrote:

I love these comments coming from people who say that warming a car up does more damage to the car than driving it and have nothing more than a passat owners manual to back it up. How exactly can an engine running at 1400rpm do more damage to a car than an engine running at 2500rpm under load?

I'm no engineer, but it has been suggested that 'warming the car up' makes the engine run colder for longer, thus increasing wear?

cpoh1 wrote:

Why do rally and race cars let their oil temp reach a decent temperature before driving their cars?.

Because they're racing?

commited · 03-09-2007 3:26pm

cpoh1 wrote:

Why do rally and race cars let their oil temp reach a decent temperature before driving their cars?

Because they're never driven slowly, always at full whack.

There is very little load on a car when maintaining low speeds and the car will warm up quicker. I'm basing my opinion not on a "passat owners manual" - never owned one, never will - but on several articles I've read. I'll see if I can dig them up.

You're probably right to warm your skyline up, I think they only have an on/off throttle

colm_mcm · 03-09-2007 5:24pm

I remote start mine about 5 minutes before I leave the house, gets the car nice and cool on warm mornings (!) and nice and toasty on colder mornings. I have an oil temp gauge in the car, but it's not been working for a while now, takes a lot longer for oil to reach normal temp than the water does, and it's not fair to keep a MIVEC under 7,000 revs on the way to work!

Guy:Incognito · 03-09-2007 5:32pm

Kaiser2000 wrote:

I think the owners manual for my Passat says something about letting it idle like that can do more damage alright

Yeah I remember coming across a section in my Safrane manual that says not to do it as all it does is waste petrol.

E92 · 03-09-2007 6:35pm

Mayshine wrote:

Also it pollutes more than necessary. Just start the engine give it 10-15 seconds for oil pressure to build and oil to be squirted everywhere and drive away nice and easy.

Also your oil will reach its operating temperature and max effectiveness well after the coolant has, therefore best to wait a little longer after the coolent needle has hit its operating temperature before ragging it.

I've been told by many people that its very bad for the engine to just leave it sitting there waiting for it to warm up, for reasons already mentioned.
The correct thing to do, which is what I do, is to drive off straight away, drive it gently till the engine temperature guage gets out of the blue/cold section, and then gradually build up the performance(as the engine is not properly warmed up until the oil temperature has gone up to its normal temperature). The oil takes normally 2-3 times as long to warm up as the water(in a petrol anyway, not sure about diesels), when the oil has warmed up thats when an engine has fully warmed up.

mike65 · 03-09-2007 7:10pm

I don't normally but if its bleedin' cold I might just succum to giving it 5 before I get in.

Mike.

Volvoboy · 03-09-2007 7:14pm

In and go, but not over 3000 RPM's

-VB-

Esel · 03-09-2007 7:29pm

Belt up, radio/CD on, start engine and drive away immediately. I too read, a number of times, that 'warming up' at idle is bad for the engine.

Especially with a choke, and probably the same with injection, as the fuel/air mix is enriched, and the extra petrol in the mix can wash lubrication away.

Stay under 2,000 revs til warmed up.

colm_mcm · 03-09-2007 7:32pm

Volvoboy wrote:

In and go, but not over 3000 RPM's
-VB-

yeah, but to be fair, you never go past 3000 RPM's at the best of times!

Volvoboy · 03-09-2007 7:39pm

colm_mcm wrote:

yeah, but to be fair, you never go past 3000 RPM's at the best of times!

FUNNY 5 MINS ON BOARDS, AYE?

Now that i've weened myself of carbs, i'm back in favor with the fuel injection engine!:D

-VB-

C_Breeze · 03-09-2007 10:32pm

esel wrote:

Belt up, radio/CD on, start engine and drive away immediately. I too read, a number of times, that 'warming up' at idle is bad for the engine.

Especially with a choke, and probably the same with injection, as the fuel/air mix is enriched, and the extra petrol in the mix can wash lubrication away.

Stay under 2,000 revs til warmed up.

Why would you switch the cd player on before the engine

cpoh1 · 03-09-2007 10:48pm

Anybody with a performance car would be insane not to let their car warm up to operating temperature before driving them.

Any car engine built to high spec will need to be looked after, rally and race car engines are warmed up at idle because engine idle conditions offer the least stress on the engine. People have mentioned that it takes longer to warm up increasing wear time, using that arguement would you keep her at 4000rpm hence cutting the warm up time further? 1000rpm is more than enough to have a high tolerance engine running from cold at.

Theres a reason every tuner and top performance car mechanic here and in the uk recommends warming a car up by idleing it before driving it. the amount of skyline and evo owners ive seen first hand blow pistons, cranks etc. and pissing oil out their backsides from not warming their car before taking it out on the road defies belief.

On a normal car i really wouldnt bother, it wont cause damage to you car by doing it but an everyday car like a mondeo or corolal wont see the benefit of warming it up. I always drive my baleno out the drive after 1min warmup at most, and its still flying after 165k miles now.

Do you warm up your car!?

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