Should I warm my car up before I drive?

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Nov 20, 2007 | 01:28 PM
  #16  
Quote: I usually warm it up by farting when i get inside
That's as good as most of the other advice above....
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Nov 20, 2007 | 01:58 PM
  #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.
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Nov 20, 2007 | 02:13 PM
  #18  
with winter here i let it warm up for 5 minutes before i drive. the difference is very noticeable. my car thanks me.
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Nov 20, 2007 | 02:30 PM
  #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.
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Nov 20, 2007 | 02:51 PM
  #20  
Quote: with winter here i let it warm up for 5 minutes before i drive. the difference is very noticeable. my car thanks me.
Like wise, I felt the difference when car is warm up compare to just start and go.
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Nov 20, 2007 | 03:28 PM
  #21  
Quote: I usually warm it up by farting when i get inside
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Nov 20, 2007 | 04:59 PM
  #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.
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Nov 20, 2007 | 05:36 PM
  #23  
Quote: I usually warm it up by farting when i get inside
LMAO Dude, U just made me spit out my dinner!!! noodles mixed up with OJ on my keyboard LOL!!!
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Nov 20, 2007 | 05:45 PM
  #24  
Warm Up your.........
I've always have warmed up my cars, very important especially with our cold
winter weather. I let it idle while I dust it off, normally 3 to 5 minutes. Then
I don't take it over 1500 RPM until it comes up to temp.....that's my respect
for the car!
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Nov 20, 2007 | 05:47 PM
  #25  
I Let It Warm Up For About 1/4 Tank Before I Drive.
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Nov 20, 2007 | 06:29 PM
  #26  
I think we all agree: Just let it warm it for about a minute or so and drive until your oil temp (or is it radiator temp?) reads the halfway mark. For me, I get in the car, turn it on, clean my windshield due to water/rain/mist and then hope back in and it's ready to go.
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Nov 20, 2007 | 06:30 PM
  #27  
i also smoke in my car so i can feel warm
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Nov 20, 2007 | 07:26 PM
  #28  
i dont drive til the temp gauge reaches halfway...
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Nov 20, 2007 | 07:30 PM
  #29  
Quote: i dont drive til the temp gauge reaches halfway...
my temp gauge never goes above halfway...

has anyone ever gone WOT with a cold engine???? not the right thing to do, but SOUNDS SO GOOD!!!
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Nov 20, 2007 | 07:38 PM
  #30  
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.
Quote: i dont drive til the temp gauge reaches halfway...
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