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Warming the car up in cold weather before driving off

  • 02-02-2012 09:22PM
    #1
    Our man in Havana
    Closed Accounts Posts: 29,466 ✭✭✭✭


    Question: Is it best to warm up a car in cold weather or is it better to just jump in a drive off? I ask this in the context of very cold weather (-20°C).


«134

Comments

  • #2
    Voodoomelon
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 9,653 ✭✭✭Voodoomelon


    Quickest way of warming any modern car is to drive it. Start the car, seatbelt on and pull off is much better than letting the car trying to get to temperature for 20 minutes sitting idle.


  • #3
    El Guapo!
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 12,449 ✭✭✭✭El Guapo!


    Yeah in temperatures that low it would be a good idea to let the car idle for a couple of minutes before heading off. And even then I'd be careful not to race the engine at all until it's properly up to temp.


  • #4
    johnos1984
    Closed Accounts Posts: 6,093 ✭✭✭johnos1984


    Dean09 wrote: »
    Yeah in temperatures that low it would be a good idea to let the car idle for a couple of minutes before heading off.
    No it isn't.

    Drive it once it is started. Otherwise the engine is running with cold oil which will increase engine wear


  • #5
    Voodoomelon
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 9,653 ✭✭✭Voodoomelon


    Dean09 wrote: »
    Yeah in temperatures that low it would be a good idea to let the car idle for a couple of minutes before heading off.

    Why?


  • #6
    L-M
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 23,536 ✭✭✭✭L-M


    All these Honda fools that start their cars an hour before the drive them :rolleyes:


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  • #7
    CiniO
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 16,041 ✭✭✭✭CiniO


    Most car manufacturers advice to drive straight away, and not warm up the car.

    However in extreme cold temperatures (like -30) you might not be able to drive off straight away, as you might not be even able to put the gear on (oil in gearbox might be too thick). Your windows will be totally frozen, and you won't be able to clear them without warming the car.

    Generally speaking I alway drive off straight away if it's possible.
    If not, I just wait, and usually spend the time to clear windows off the ice and frosts.


  • #8
    El Guapo!
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 12,449 ✭✭✭✭El Guapo!


    johnos1984 wrote: »
    No it isn't.

    Drive it once it is started. Otherwise the engine is running with cold oil which will increase engine wear
    Voodoomelon wrote: »
    Why?

    I didn't mean sit there and let it idle until the engine is warm. You'd be there all day.
    What I meant is don't just fire it up and go hell for leather straight away with a stone cold engine.


  • #9
    johnos1984
    Closed Accounts Posts: 6,093 ✭✭✭johnos1984


    Dean09 wrote: »
    What I meant is don't just fire it up and go hell for leather straight away with a stone cold engine.
    That's what your meant to do even if it's warm


  • #10
    ShadowHearth
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 22,911 ✭✭✭✭ShadowHearth


    Isn't it unhealthy to rev engine on cold oil? Obviously you will rev engine higher when driving, then sitting idle.

    I always gave some time to warm up and cool down on idle for skyline, but that is more for turbo.

    I always give few seconds to warm up for Mazda too. When I am going to work ( 4:30 in the morning ) I always warm up Mazda for few minutes. Hate sitting in to cold car...


  • #11
    Voodoomelon
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 9,653 ✭✭✭Voodoomelon


    Dean09 wrote: »
    What I meant is don't just fire it up and go hell for leather straight away with a stone cold engine.

    That wasn't the question that was asked, but I get your point. :)
    I hate the idea of the car sitting idle trying to turn over in sub zero temperatures, I let the rev counter settle then off I go, car is warm in about 6 minutes.


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  • #12
    MugMugs
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 17,871 ✭✭✭✭MugMugs


    Dean09 wrote: »

    I didn't mean sit there and let it idle until the engine is warm. You'd be there all day.
    What I meant is don't just fire it up and go hell for leather straight away with a stone cold engine.
    Dean09 wrote: »
    Yeah in temperatures that low it would be a good idea to let the car idle for a couple of minutes before heading off.


    Really ? :)


  • #13
    El Guapo!
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 12,449 ✭✭✭✭El Guapo!


    johnos1984 wrote: »
    That's what your meant to do even if it's warm

    Yeah I know that but I was just stressing even more so in weather that cold.


  • #14
    El Guapo!
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 12,449 ✭✭✭✭El Guapo!


    MugMugs wrote: »
    Really ? :)

    Yeah.
    I said to let it idle for a short time and not to race the engine in freezing conditions. I didn't mean to sit there all day until the engine is up to temp! :D


  • #15
    JJJJNR
    Closed Accounts Posts: 4,786 ✭✭✭JJJJNR


    Once the windows are clear just drive off, personally i dont rev the car over 1500rpm until the engine is warm, can be painful at times owning a diesel.


  • #16
    -Corkie-
    Closed Accounts Posts: 10,021 ✭✭✭✭-Corkie-


    I remember Midnight Pg saying he left his car idling for ages before driving off in normal weather..:pac:


  • #17
    El Guapo!
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 12,449 ✭✭✭✭El Guapo!


    -Corkie- wrote: »
    I remember Midnight Pg saying he left his car idling for ages before driving off in normal weather..:pac:

    Now that does my head in.
    I used to work with a guy who did this all the time and one morning before work he went out and started the car in his garden, went inside the house for a few mins, and when he came out the car was gone!! Idiot.


  • #18
    dgt
    Closed Accounts Posts: 12,978 ✭✭✭✭dgt


    -Corkie- wrote: »
    I remember Midnight Pg saying he left his car idling for ages before driving off in normal weather..:pac:

    Isn't that how a lot of cars get stolen off the drveways....?


  • #19
    [Deleted User]
    Posts: 23,497 ✭✭✭✭ [Deleted User]


    -Corkie- wrote: »
    I remember Midnight Pg saying he left his car idling for ages before driving off in normal weather..:pac:

    But his one was different than other cars :pac:


  • #20
    GTDolanator
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 772 ✭✭✭GTDolanator


    start up leave for a couple of seconds to let the oil circulate then set off and just dont rev then nuts of it till the engine is up to temp


  • #21
    Matt Simis
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,574 ✭✭✭Matt Simis


    I combine the two approaches and leave them sitting for maybe 2min (with me in it, playing with radios and seats) before setting off.


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  • #22
    corkcomp
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,114 ✭✭✭corkcomp


    GTDolanator wrote: »
    start up leave for a couple of seconds to let the oil circulate then set off and just dont rev then nuts of it till the engine is up to temp

    +1 about 30 - 40 seconds of idling and don't rev too hard for a minute or two.. the idea is to let the oil pressure build up, not to let the car sit idling for 10 minutes wasting fuel.


  • #23
    Carstuck
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 439 ✭✭Carstuck


    Ideally it be best to drive off, but with windows etc I just leave it a few minutes started before I go. Don't think a few minutes idle will destroy the engine, as I rather let the frost thaw with the heater than lukewarm water.


  • #24
    Green Hornet
    Closed Accounts Posts: 3,304 ✭✭✭Green Hornet


    Voodoomelon wrote: »
    Dean09 wrote: »
    What I meant is don't just fire it up and go hell for leather straight away with a stone cold engine.

    That wasn't the question that was asked, but I get your point. :)
    I hate the idea of the car sitting idle trying to turn over in sub zero temperatures, I let the rev counter settle then off I go, car is warm in about 6 minutes.

    My fecking thing takes about 15 mins. It has a heater assist to heat the inside while the engine is warming up and it's stinking!


  • #25
    keithclancy
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 9,157 ✭✭✭keithclancy


    F*ck sake .. you'd swear ye were in Finland :D

    If your that concerned about it then go for one of these:
    http://www.parkingheater.com/?id=2602

    The Neighbour has one ... while I'm out scraping the Ice and cursing (It was -9 this morning) his car had steam rising off it, walked out, jumped into a toasty warm car (ba*terd) :o


  • #26
    af_thefragile
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,161 ✭✭✭af_thefragile


    Don't usually have the time to warm up the car before I drive off.
    So i just keep the revs below around 2500rpm before the engine reaches full operating temperature and then I give it full beans!... as i'm usually running late!!!


  • #27
    damo86
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,091 ✭✭✭damo86


    When i had the diesel i used to let it run idle till the windows demisted then go.

    My turbo would kick in at around 2000rpm so i wouldnt let it get passed that till engine temp is at least passed 1/4 mark (50/60degrees..cant remember!!)

    Then drive it normally then.


  • #28
    Mikko Mallikas
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 170 ✭✭Mikko Mallikas


    Exactly keithclancy :) in Finland all cars either have webasto, or this http://www.defa.com/en/html/automotive/warmup/products/warmup/warmup_1350_1850/warmup_1350_1850/ or thishttp://www.calix.se/consumer/index.asp?lang=UK

    Here is the weather btw, if you guys think it is cold there :)http://www.foreca.com/Finland/Tampere?details=20120202


  • #29
    The Quadratic Equation
    Closed Accounts Posts: 1,132 ✭✭✭The Quadratic Equation


    Voodoomelon wrote: »
    That wasn't the question that was asked, but I get your point. :)
    I hate the idea of the car sitting idle trying to turn over in sub zero temperatures, I let the rev counter settle then off I go, car is warm in about 6 minutes.

    Bummer.

    My car is warm and cosy in 4 minutes and stays that way.


  • #30
    johnos1984
    Closed Accounts Posts: 6,093 ✭✭✭johnos1984


    My TDI takes a bloody age to warm up in this weather. I just bought a hat and scarf to over come this small niggle


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  • #31
    MugMugs
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 17,871 ✭✭✭✭MugMugs


    johnos1984 wrote: »
    My TDI takes a bloody age to warm up in this weather. I just bought a hat and scarf to over come this small niggle

    I used to hit 90 just before the motorway on my commute in my TDI. D-4D takes a LOT longer. :/


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