Warming Up Your Car - Right Or Wrong?

[83CKS]

Hey All,

Well I’ve heard a few mixed stories...

I've been told that I should be warming up my car for around 5 mins or so when my car is cold..

I've also been told that warming up a car is bad, And can fowl plugs and eventually damage rings etc..

Can someone please give me a straight answer?? As I want to do the right thing by my car.. But all these stories are confusing me..

Thanks

Beck

[Bakes]

Just turn it on and start driving, however drive it at low revs below where your turbo boost starts to develop until the water/coolant and the engine oil has warmed up.

Once they are warm, boost away!

[83CKS]

Just turn it on and start driving, however drive it at low revs below where your turbo boost starts to develop until the water/coolant and the engine oil has warmed up.

Once they are warm, boost away!

Cool! Thanks heaps hey,

So is it true you can hurt your car (fowl plugs etc) by letting it sit running for a while?

[krzysiu]

Just turn it on and start driving, however drive it at low revs below where your turbo boost starts to develop until the water/coolant and the engine oil has warmed up.

Once they are warm, boost away!

What he said

[Samon]

Cool! Thanks heaps hey,

So is it true you can hurt your car (fowl plugs etc) by letting it sit running for a while?

I can't confirm the fouling plugs, etc... but when you warm up by just idling, different parts of the car warm up at different rates (i.e. the engine itself may warm up, but the gearbox, diff, etc will not as they're not doing anything). Gentle driving until everything is up to temp is much better as all of the parts warm up together.

[(OO)SKYLINE(OO)]

On a cold morning I just let it idle for about 2-3mins, just to get the fluids circulating.

Then start driving it keeping off boost. Till about 5 mins of driving, it should be fine to hit boost.

[83CKS]

Thanks so much for your help guys..

It's good to get everyone's thoughts on the situation..

[webng]

I don't see how starting your car and letting it idle at any time could possibly be detrimental to your engine. A waste of fuel maybe. but yeah, what they all said re running off boost for a few minutes. I usually wait till engine temp gauge hits mid point.

[Johnny]

Its true that modern cars can be started and driven straight away; i start my car and let the fluids circulate for about 1minute then drive without too much load until all the drivetrain, coolant and oil has reached operating temperature.

think about it; you warm your car up for 5 minutes so the coolant and oil is at operating temp but gearbox and diff are still cold so you may be actually hurting them if you drive it hard straight away.

[(B1) MR_fanny]

I don't see how starting your car and letting it idle at any time could possibly be detrimental to your engine. A waste of fuel maybe. but yeah, what they all said re running off boost for a few minutes. I usually wait till engine temp gauge hits mid point.

ive heard somethings about glazing that my occur if you just let it idle for prolonged periods.

i do as everyone else, used to let it warm up, not any more.

[FATAZZ]

OK. now is there a difference between auto's and manual's?

auto g'boxs fluid runs through the bottom of the radiator to warm it up,but how long

till it's warm? from start up to not causing damage whilst driving difference between auto and manual?

[Munkyb0y]

yeah glazing. thats what ive been told too.

i just start it, wait 30 secs, and drive off nice and easy till the oil pressure settles. then i absolutely smash it !!! sometimes.

Edited October 17, 2008 by Munkyb0y

[(OO)SKYLINE(OO)]

What if were all stuck in a traffic jam and the car has to sit an idle?

[Munkyb0y]

hahah, well so be it. but why create your own self inflicted traffic jam every morning?

[(OO)SKYLINE(OO)]

^^ Lol, Im just saying...

I don't really get into traffic jams, but at times where your driving to say the city and there is part were there can be a jam.

Not saying deliberatly drive to one.

[OzCarImports]

Just turn it on and start driving, however drive it at low revs below where your turbo boost starts to develop until the water/coolant and the engine oil has warmed up.

Once they are warm, boost away!

Spot on couldnt have put it better my self

[webng]

Surely our cars are "hi tech" enough that when left idling (eg. waiting for the missus at shops with air conditioning running!) to not fall apart if left just idling! Just doesn't make sense if it's true.

Mine is auto and won't change up to 4th until gear box is nice and warm.

[NI55ANLUV]

http://www.abc.net.au/science/articles/200...omentsinscience

Dr. Karl's on it.

[Munkyb0y]

http://www.abc.net.au/science/articles/200...omentsinscience

Dr. Karl's on it.

summed it up nicely

[83CKS]

http://www.abc.net.au/science/articles/200...omentsinscience

Dr. Karl's on it.

Thats awesome!!

Thanks so much everyone!!!