[EYEdROP]

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

 

[ford2]

Engine warm up procedures vary greatly depending on the ambient temperature where you live.

Where I am it is a nice 23°C at 7.40 am.

 

[fordgtlover]

Here's a somewhat similar view

Warm up the car by idling › Dr Karl's Great Moments In Science (ABC Science)

 

[DaveBSC]

I have twin turbos so I have to be more careful about proper warm up and cool down than most. After turning on the engine I let it idle for at least half a minute, and I try to keep the revs under 3500 until the oil temp gauge is off the peg. If I drive for more than half an hour, I give the engine at least a good minute of idling time after parking before turning the engine off.

Most modern naturally aspirated engines can take a lot of abuse, but mistreated turbos will fail, and quick.

 

[Drag0n]

Maybe one of those heated dipsticks to warm the engine?

 

[ford2]

I have to let the engine get warm before I can hit it,nothing worse than bogging down when the secondaries crack open.

 

[skyline889]

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaveBSC /img/forum/go_quote.gif I have twin turbos so I have to be more careful about proper warm up and cool down than most. After turning on the engine I let it idle for at least half a minute, and I try to keep the revs under 3500 until the oil temp gauge is off the peg. If I drive for more than half an hour, I give the engine at least a good minute of idling time after parking before turning the engine off. Most modern naturally aspirated engines can take a lot of abuse, but mistreated turbos will fail, and quick.

For modern turbo cars a full minute plus isn't necessary. If you keep the revs down for the last fifteen minutes of your journey, a thirty second cool down is all that's really needed.

 

[DaveBSC]

Quote:

Originally Posted by skyline889 /img/forum/go_quote.gif For modern turbo cars a full minute plus isn't necessary. If you keep the revs down for the last fifteen minutes of your journey, a thirty second cool down is all that's really needed.

Probably true, but I figure it doesn't hurt to play it safe. I usually have a bunch of stuff to put away after a long drive anyway, so I just idle while I'm doing that, and by the time I'm done, a minute has gone by.

 

[Uncle Erik]

How cold does "cold" have to be? If it's 70 out when I start the car, is that any different from when it's 25 out? How about when I'm in Arizona and it hits 115?

 

[Get_Zwole]

depends on what im driving if my 350z its in a warm garage so im good. If my Diesel its plugged in when parked in the winter so both are pretty good for me lol.

 

[Get_Zwole]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Uncle Erik /img/forum/go_quote.gif How cold does "cold" have to be? If it's 70 out when I start the car, is that any different from when it's 25 out? How about when I'm in Arizona and it hits 115?

i still practice this or something similar even in the summer. Let it sit for at least 30 seconds just to get the oil dispersed in the engine before putting any strain on it at all. After that it will warm up pretty quick in the summer. Still isnt good to go out and go wide open throttle first thing but not nearly as bad as when its cold out.

 

[Mambosenior]

If my Corvette feels cold and ain't in the mood to run up the driveway right away, I get some warm chocolate, put a Sinatra CD on, and leave the lights off. Eventually she's purring and ready for the throttle.

 

[roadcykler]

All the information I've read in the last few years is, if you have a newer car with fuel injection there is no need to warm it up for mechanical reasons as long as you drive calmly for the first few miles. Then again, I used to live across from a woman who had a 1980's Dodge car of some variety and when she started it, no matter the weather, her foot went to the floor for a few seconds. I kept waiting to hear valves or push rods come though the hood but they never did.

If you're warming it up so it will be warm when you get in it that will obviously vary by climate. In WA that is illegal to do for environmental and vehicle theft reasons.

 

[HeyItsBattleKid]

So what's best if its been sitting for many, many hours in -10F temps? 10 minutes is a minimum for my car before I can drive it, and that's just for legal safety reasons. Is there a-whole-nother approach to that situation? I'd love to keep my car for as long as possible

 

[appophylite]

Quote:

Originally Posted by HeyItsBattleKid /img/forum/go_quote.gif So what's best if its been sitting for many, many hours in -10F temps? 10 minutes is a minimum for my car before I can drive it, and that's just for legal safety reasons. Is there a-whole-nother approach to that situation? I'd love to keep my car for as long as possible

AutoStart! In all honesty, the majority of Alaskans have one installed in their car specifically so that you don't have to go outside in the cold to start your car and this way you can start it 15-20 minutes before you leave so it is not only warm, but has been idling for a while and circulating its fluids well.