Should I warm my car up before I drive?
#16
#17
I also warm up the car before really getting on the gas...I'll drive it right after starting the ignition but will keep the revs below 3k. I think this also helps with keeping my after market catalytic converters ok.
Look at the E46 BMW M3...the car has a "redline" at a relatively low RPM that will increase as the car is warmed up.
Look at the E46 BMW M3...the car has a "redline" at a relatively low RPM that will increase as the car is warmed up.
#19
the most wear occurs at startup,
the oil should leave a thin film on most components to protect them through the first few strokes, within a few revolutions fresh oil should be flowing.
the real issues with warming up the engine is tolerances, gaps, clearances, metal (and most other things) expand as they warm up. bearings will be running with larger clearances, there will be more slack between the pistons and sleeves, less compression, more noise from the valve train, etc etc.
drive easily, at least untill you can feel warmer air coming out of the vents (have some saturation of the block).
you won't wear the engine out though lack of oil, but through slack.
the oil should leave a thin film on most components to protect them through the first few strokes, within a few revolutions fresh oil should be flowing.
the real issues with warming up the engine is tolerances, gaps, clearances, metal (and most other things) expand as they warm up. bearings will be running with larger clearances, there will be more slack between the pistons and sleeves, less compression, more noise from the valve train, etc etc.
drive easily, at least untill you can feel warmer air coming out of the vents (have some saturation of the block).
you won't wear the engine out though lack of oil, but through slack.
#22
The factory service manual refers to warming up the car when doing thermostat diagnostics. It says to rev the engine between 2 and 3 K RPM for ten minutes to ensure the engine is hot. If you use that as a guide, that would mean you could drive at 30 MPH to warm the car up without damaging anything. I just use my gauges... I keep oil pressure below 100 and when the pressure at idle is below 50, I'm ready to start pushing a bit. If you don't have gauges, about 5 minutes of "old lady" driving should get you there.
#23
#24
Registered User
iTrader: (10)
#29
#30
Red Card Crew
iTrader: (24)
Actually that might hurt the engine more that it helps. If you just let it sit there and idle vs driving away gently, it will prolong the time it takes the ecu to go into close loop mode. The ecu's start up open loop mode runs the engine richer to help start the car and warm it up faster. But richer is worse for the oil, gas mpg and cats.
Originally Posted by Beebo
i dont drive til the temp gauge reaches halfway...