i always let the idle drop below 1 before i start moving.. and when i start moving i shift at 2.5K and keep it there for a good while.

it seems that most of you seem to think that the engine is up to operating temps once the temp needle reaches it's usual spot in the middle. For those of you who know cars and how an engine works will confirm this, but that temp needle (coolant temps) will get to it's usual spot in the middle long before the oil/engine gets up to full operating temps.

 

Good point. My friend has a C5 Corvette which displays oil temp as well as coolant temp, and the oil temp typically lags behind the coolant by 2-3 min.

 

I just listen to the engine....whenever the engine idles down, it's ready to drive...

 

Crank her, back her out of the garage, let her idle till the needle moves up and idle drops, then on the way. By the time I'm through the neighborhood and on the road the temp needle is in the zone - I'm OFF!

 

You can get the rpm to idle at 0.5k (500rpm)?
Mine idles at 600rpm the lowest (2 notches down from 1k), doesn't go to 500rpm.
Does everyone idles at 500rpm when warmed up too?
If so, either my gauge is off or more friction in my engine for some reason to be worried about compared to the norm....

 

just because that needle is there it does NOT mean your car is up to operating temps.

 

no. i think 600 is about right.

 

whats the point, maybe 30 secs but thats just for personal pleasure, the majority of people wont keep this car past 100,000 i guess thats when the warming up plays a role

 

how do you figure?

in 100K or less miles if i want to sell my car and i warmed it up every time before i drive it, i'm pretty sure my engine will sound better, idle better, and have better compression accross the board than yours. unless of course it's sold in maybe the first 30K miles.

it's like what's the point of changing your oil every X number of miles. I might as well just change it once every 20K miles. Big deal i'll sell it by 50K anyway. What's the point of changing your spark plugs, wires, air filter, fluids.

I think the point is general car care and maintenance. I don't think about when i'll sell the car, all i think about is how i can keep it in the best possible shape, either for myself, or for the event that i do sell it one day.

 

for me.. i just turn on my car w/ my remote starter a few min b4 i leave so when i do get in the car, its good to go!

 

Yeah, wait til the idle drops before moving. Take it easy for a few miles.

I'm pretty sure the VQ runs open loop for like 8 mins. If you punch it, you'll be dumping alot of raw gas in your cats. Good way to kill them.

 

I just get in and drive. I don't really get on it that much so I don't really worry about warming it up. I never really go past 3k rpm when I'm driving around town... I only open it up on highway entrances and such, and my car is fully warmed up by that time anyway.

Don't really worry about warming it up. Like everyone said, today's technologies allow it. You're just wasting time if you're sitting still for 10 min. If the weather was really cold like below 20F, I would let it warm up for ~5 min and then start driving.

 

Lately it's been about 78 degrees in the morning, so I just let the oil start circulating. I give it between 30 seconds and a minute. I don't go WOT until the engine is halfway between C and H.

 

here is some info that i have found on some mechanic websites:

-Idling can be hard on your engine because fuel doesn't undergo complete combustion, and some fuel residues condense on cylinder walls.
-Leaving your car idling for more than short periods causes incomplete combustion which can damage engine components.

therefore it seems that leaving your car idling actually damages your engine. therefore, in theory the other guy is going to have a better sounding/performing engine then yours.
i usually just start my car, wait 10 sec's or so then just pull away. i don't leave it idling i just keep the rev's low initially when driving.