There are many misconceptions about warming up an engine and many do it the wrong way. Studies by automotive engineers have shown that up to 80% of engine wear occurs during the first couple minutes that a cold engine is started. (S.A.E. Technical Papers # 780370, 3790729, #790751, #821204, #821206 and #821247). Basically, your vehicle is designed to run best at operating temperature (usually in the middle of the temp gauge). When your car sits for a couple hours, the oil cools down and drips towards the bottom of the engine. When oil is cold , it is much thicker and syrupy than warm (just like pancake syrup in your fridge vs. in a cupboard or warmed in the microwave.) Inside an engine, you have passageways to various parts in the engine for oil to flow. When the oil is cold and at the bottom of your oilpan, it cant get through the passage ways as easily until it gets to a certain temp and all the oil is circulating. Another issue is that parts inside an engine expand and contract with temperature changes. This causes innevetable wear over time.
So whats the best way to warm up a modern fuel injected engine? Here is my opinion:
1. Start the car in neutral and immediately let off the clutch and turn off any accessories such as AC.
2. Let it idle for 15 to 60 seconds depending on the ambient temperature. Dont rev up the engine or put it in drive yet because the oil is still trying to circulate.
3. The last step is where many people screw up. I see folks start there car and let it run cold for 20 minutes while they eat breakfast inside the house. Contrary to popular belief, this is bad for the engine because the oil dosent heat up fast enough and the transmission wont get warmed up at all.
4. Once you get that initial 15-60 second circulation, drive of WITH LIGHT THROTTLE. Again, I see folks get in there vehicles with cold engines and immediately FLOOR it off to work on a cold winter morning. This causes an intense amount of wear on an engine over time.
5. Again, use very little throttle and try not to gun it until it gets to operating temperature. Otherwise, the metal parts inside your engine will heat up far too quickly because there isnt sufficient oil protection. The more throttle you give the car, the harder an engine works.
Please people, be smart and save on car repairs by giving your vehicle a proper warm up. The next owner will also thank you.
You wouldn't want to jump out of bed and immediately run a mile sprint full blast right? Your car is the same way
So whats the best way to warm up a modern fuel injected engine? Here is my opinion:
1. Start the car in neutral and immediately let off the clutch and turn off any accessories such as AC.
2. Let it idle for 15 to 60 seconds depending on the ambient temperature. Dont rev up the engine or put it in drive yet because the oil is still trying to circulate.
3. The last step is where many people screw up. I see folks start there car and let it run cold for 20 minutes while they eat breakfast inside the house. Contrary to popular belief, this is bad for the engine because the oil dosent heat up fast enough and the transmission wont get warmed up at all.
4. Once you get that initial 15-60 second circulation, drive of WITH LIGHT THROTTLE. Again, I see folks get in there vehicles with cold engines and immediately FLOOR it off to work on a cold winter morning. This causes an intense amount of wear on an engine over time.
5. Again, use very little throttle and try not to gun it until it gets to operating temperature. Otherwise, the metal parts inside your engine will heat up far too quickly because there isnt sufficient oil protection. The more throttle you give the car, the harder an engine works.
Please people, be smart and save on car repairs by giving your vehicle a proper warm up. The next owner will also thank you.
You wouldn't want to jump out of bed and immediately run a mile sprint full blast right? Your car is the same way
