Warming up the car

[theprodigy79]

Around 30 seconds to let fluids begin circulating and then drive slow and consistant (no high revs or hard acceleration) 'till the car is warmed up. I don't know why there is so much debate, THIS IS IN YOUR MANUAL GUYS.

You should NEVER let your car sit and idle for sustained amounts of time; it is actually damaging to your exhaust and emissions components, along with adding extra wear to your engine and wasting gas...

Also, if you use the "sit and idle" method to "warm up", you are NOT warming up the car, just the engine... The suspension components and other crucial parts of the vehicle require proper warm up before they can function properly as well. So if you let your car sit 'till the temp gauge is centered, then drive normally you are actually potentially causing harm to other main components that had still been at rest until you started driving.

It is actually recommended that you turn your vehicle OFF while waiting at long stop lights, railroad crossings (while waiting for a train to cross), open draw bridges, and other instances of moderate to long period sitting to prevent excess idling.

There was another thread on this a while back, but I can't seem to find it... It had some pretty informative links, so I'll keep an eye open for it.

-James

[WTF??]

Just wait for the RPMs to drop closer to 1,000 rpms

Autos shift too damm crazy for me when engine is cold... feel like Im abusing my ride lol

[Jai_Jai_Binks]

It is actually recommended that you turn your vehicle OFF while waiting at long stop lights, railroad crossings (while waiting for a train to cross), open draw bridges, and other instances of moderate to long period sitting to prevent excess idling.

In India, the rickshaw's and taxi's pretty much turn off their engines at every stop light, I always think this is going to abuse your engine more...an engine never dies when its running normally (unless you ignored the other signs), an engine usually damages more at start up than any other time.

[funboy102]

30 seconds, then drive off smoothly, until temp get in center, than i can drive hard.

[Solorange]

I just start up and drive. I dont get on the accelerator hard at all until the engine is at is normal operating temperture.

I cant believe how many of you wait a certain amount of time before leaving. I dont think I know or ever seen anybody wait to drive after they start up their car. Interesting

[indiglosolara]

Warm up?? Whats a warm up... We have that here in So. Cal..

hahahaha j/k..

I normally start the car and load or unload anything i need or dont need.. get in and drive keeping the rpms down until normal operating temp is reached.

[deus85]

Hmm, whenever I warm up my car I basically just let it idle until the RPM drops to number 1 (which takes about 3 minutes). That's when the shifting feels better. If its not to number 1, and I put the car in reverse it jerks more. I actually never really pay attention to the temp gauge.

I think I'll start letting it idle for 30 seconds, and just go on driving nicely like how some people on here are saying.

[Yanks0114]

It is actually recommended that you turn your vehicle OFF while waiting at long stop lights, railroad crossings (while waiting for a train to cross), open draw bridges, and other instances of moderate to long period sitting to prevent excess idling.

James - unless you can provide credible information, I would say absolutely do NOT do this. Beyond the obvious safety considers of not being able to get out of the way, you are forcing your transmission to shift from drive to park and park to drive (as opposed to staying in 1st gear). Also, you're much more likely to prematurely wear out components such as the starter.

[woa_its_j3ff]

It is actually recommended that you turn your vehicle OFF while waiting at long stop lights, railroad crossings (while waiting for a train to cross), open draw bridges, and other instances of moderate to long period sitting to prevent excess idling.

James - unless you can provide credible information, I would say absolutely do NOT do this. Beyond the obvious safety considers of not being able to get out of the way, you are forcing your transmission to shift from drive to park and park to drive (as opposed to staying in 1st gear). Also, you're much more likely to prematurely wear out components such as the starter.

also sidenote.. would this drain the battery a lot from restarting the engine all the time?

[geminiz]

I've driven after warming up for about 1 minute during the winter when it was about 15 degrees, and the engine would make loud growling cranking sounds. This sound would get worst and louder even when I gently accelerate. This only happens during cold temperature, the sound disappears around 30 degrees.

Has this happened to anyone else? What do you think is making this noise?

[theprodigy79]

It is actually recommended that you turn your vehicle OFF while waiting at long stop lights, railroad crossings (while waiting for a train to cross), open draw bridges, and other instances of moderate to long period sitting to prevent excess idling.

James - unless you can provide credible information, I would say absolutely do NOT do this. Beyond the obvious safety considers of not being able to get out of the way, you are forcing your transmission to shift from drive to park and park to drive (as opposed to staying in 1st gear). Also, you're much more likely to prematurely wear out components such as the starter.

I'm NOT saying turn it off at standard stops or in stop and go traffic... I'm saying at railroad crossings or any stops that will be several minutes. I'll find your info...

[Yanks0114]

[quote="theprodigy79]
I'm NOT saying turn it off at standard stops or in stop and go traffic... I'm saying at railroad crossings or any stops that will be several minutes. I'll find your info...[/quote]

My fault - thanks for clarifying. I'm very curious to find out about this.

[sahuddleston]

i usually turn mine on for about 1 minute, this gives the flux capacitor enough time to warm up. by the time im out of the driveway my brake fluid is at optimal temperature as well.

[Dawgz]

It is actually recommended that you turn your vehicle OFF while waiting at long stop lights, railroad crossings (while waiting for a train to cross), open draw bridges, and other instances of moderate to long period sitting to prevent excess idling.

In India, the rickshaw's and taxi's pretty much turn off their engines at every stop light, I always think this is going to abuse your engine more...an engine never dies when its running normally (unless you ignored the other signs), an engine usually damages more at start up than any other time.

ive never actually experienced any taxi doing that when i was there.

[campfire9]

I live in California on the central coast where the temp is always mild and also garage both of our cars. I start my Solara and immediately put the auto transmission inot reverse to keep the rpm's down and then will back out and stay at 25mph or below until I reach the freeway which is a mile from my house. There are 3 stop signs and one light to the freeway and the car is always at least half way to normal temp. The temp is actually hotter than the needle indication as it warms up.