I am wondering how long people let their cars "warm up" for, or what people use as a warmup sequence.

I usually let the car warm up (sit at idle) for 1-2 minutes from a cold start if the ambient temperature (weather) is relatively warm or 3-5 minutes if it is colder or extremely cold out.

After I get going I try not to run the car above 3000RPM for at least 10 minutes of driving to make sure all the fluids and other parts are warmed up and moving around properly, and if it is cold out I follow the vintage car practice of not using second gear for the first 10-15 minutes of driving.

I have heard some debate about how good it is to leave a car at idle warming up for too long, and get some questionable feedback from people who hear about my practice of not using second gear for a certian period, etc. (saying it is overkill). As someone who spends a lot of time around older (more finnicky) cars, I have come to appreciate the practice of letting everything warm up and even out properly to extend the life of engine and transmission components.

Any feelings about this? Other methods?

 

I just wait til it hits 1k(varies in hot and cold), then I drive slowly until normal operating temps.

 

you always hear different things

I think you should let the car sit for at least 15 seconds to let the oil circulate.

Then drive, but don't push the car hard until the oil temp gauge gets up to temp

I've actually heard it can be bad to let the car go on and idle for 2-3 minutes. Don't remember why though

my 2 cents....

 

so what are the consequences of not letting the car warm up?

 

i let it warm up 2-5 minutes every morning before driving my car.. I eat my bfast while my car is warming up in the garage. remote start helps for a lazy man like me

 

if you go WOT while the car is still cold it's bad

it's like running as fast as you can without stretching your legs

you'll wear out parts faster

at least let the oil circulate. Never go and start the car and just take off driving fast. People do this sorta thing all the time when they're late.

Someone who knows more about opterating temps, cooling systems and oil can explain the details as what exactly happens and why it's bad.

But just know, it's bad to drive hard without the car properly warmed up.

 

I also wait until the revs come under 1k and drive it easy-like until the temp gets to about normal. What is the logic behind skipping 2nd gear?

 

Preserves the transmission -- less stress to shift to 3rd, and less shifting overall means less wear. I often drive around town using only 1, 3, and 5. The car makes enough torque that this is feasible.

As for the second gear thing, it's used a lot with the other cars I drive, especially vintage cars where parts are hard to come by and extreme caution is excercised to prevent unecessary wear. I do it with the Nissan not because it is required (the Z is more reliable than a vintage car), but as an extra measure to preserve the car and put less wear on it overall. It's my belief that little things like this make a considerable difference in the long run.

 

Makes sense. I think i'd have to get used to that, but it can't hurt to try it. What types of vintage cars do you drive if I can ask? My dad used to have this old MG and would also use all sorts of tricks to keep the car running as long as possible. Too bad he sold it.

 

mostly italians and germans, a few americans and a brit every now and again...

 

Just read in the San Jose Mercury News today in the car column about warming up an engine. Found out some things that might be interesting.

1. Modern fuel-injected engines built in the last 10-15 years only require about 30 seconds to be in operating range in mild climates.

2. Idling the engine for more than 2 minutes is just a waste of gas and just increases wear on the engine.

3. If you have FI on your engine, the cool-down is more important than the warm-up. You should let your engine run for about 30 seconds before shutting down.

4. Idling a car unattended just to warm it up is a calling card to thieves and in some places it is illegal.


Found these tidbits on the internet.

1. In cold climates, in you have a manual transmission or a standard automatic transmission, as long as you don't drive it hard in the first few miles you don't have to idle the engine to warm it up. Easy driving is enough to get it to operating temps.

2. In cold climates, if you have one of the newer sequential type automatics like SMG or Tiptronic, you can pretty much just start driving like you stole it right away because in auto-mode most of these have programs that allow the tranny to heat up the engine and the cats right away in cold weather.

 

Thanks Al, nice to hear you can drive it like you stole it pretty much whenever you want too, lol. I feel better now, haha.

 

i remote start my car when i open the door, lock the door, walk out. Around 1 to 2 mins max.