warming up the car ?
#1
05-18-2005, 03:48 PM
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#2
05-18-2005, 03:58 PM
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Naw, just pull her out and floor it up to the top of 3rd gear.
Kidding. Don't. No.
I let mine warm up until the RPMs are around 800 or so...usually I'm inpatient and run late as it, lol. I've heard its not good to let the car sit and warm up for that long [someone correct me if I'm wrong]. Just start it up, get situated, turn on your favorite tunes, put on your glasses, put it in reverse [eeek! or drive!] and be on your way...just be sure to keep the RPMs low, I wouldn't say go over 2.5 or 3K until everything is at opporating temps [since you have an auto it is even easier to stay below 2K]. One reason letting the car sit and idle might be a bad thing is because even though the engine is ready and warm the rest of the drivetrain may not be so you might pull out of your driveway thinking the car is reering to go when everything except the engine is still cold. I live in Texas though, so I go to bed hot, wake up hot, and the humidity is already at 100% by 6AM
Kidding. Don't. No.
I let mine warm up until the RPMs are around 800 or so...usually I'm inpatient and run late as it, lol. I've heard its not good to let the car sit and warm up for that long [someone correct me if I'm wrong]. Just start it up, get situated, turn on your favorite tunes, put on your glasses, put it in reverse [eeek! or drive!] and be on your way...just be sure to keep the RPMs low, I wouldn't say go over 2.5 or 3K until everything is at opporating temps [since you have an auto it is even easier to stay below 2K]. One reason letting the car sit and idle might be a bad thing is because even though the engine is ready and warm the rest of the drivetrain may not be so you might pull out of your driveway thinking the car is reering to go when everything except the engine is still cold. I live in Texas though, so I go to bed hot, wake up hot, and the humidity is already at 100% by 6AM
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05-18-2005, 03:58 PM
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#4
05-18-2005, 04:05 PM
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#5
05-18-2005, 04:08 PM
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Nope. I just start it up and drive, but take it easy until the temperature needle is up to normal. I've read that by idling to warm up, all you're doing is wasting fuel and time -- you won't harm you engine and it'll get up to temp faster being driven gently. I've also heard that some the ECU for some engines (the Northstar for one, I think) actually lowers the shift points and rev limiter until the oil reaches proper temperature, but I have no idea if ours does that.
All that being said, here's what the manual says (page 5-9):
All that being said, here's what the manual says (page 5-9):
4. Warm-up
Allow the engine to idle for at least 30 seconds after starting. Do not race the engine while warming it up. Drive at moderate speed for a short distance first, especially in cold weather. In cold weather, keep the engine running for a minimum of 2 - 3 minutes before shutting it off. Starting and stopping the engine over a short period of time may make the vehicle more difficult to start.
Allow the engine to idle for at least 30 seconds after starting. Do not race the engine while warming it up. Drive at moderate speed for a short distance first, especially in cold weather. In cold weather, keep the engine running for a minimum of 2 - 3 minutes before shutting it off. Starting and stopping the engine over a short period of time may make the vehicle more difficult to start.
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05-18-2005, 04:13 PM
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#7
05-18-2005, 04:33 PM
Most mechanics will tell you that today's engines (computer-controlled start-up maps, etc.) don't need to warm up.
With that said, I can only find beneficial things resulting from a short warm up period to allow some circulation of fluids and lubricants. The Manual's suggestion sounds hard to argue with.
With that said, I can only find beneficial things resulting from a short warm up period to allow some circulation of fluids and lubricants. The Manual's suggestion sounds hard to argue with.
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#8
05-18-2005, 04:40 PM
#10
05-18-2005, 04:50 PM
I normally give the car a little gas 1500 or 1800 rpms untill the Temp meter hits the actual line of C, then I have a 1/2 mile 30mile zone to get out of my neighborhood, then i drive niicely for a nice mile in a 45mph zone, then I drove her i like stole her.
I warm it up and give it time, to make sure the electical stuff, lube and everything is nice and sweet...incase i have to take down anymore stock Mustangs who think they're hot with those damn flomasters
I warm it up and give it time, to make sure the electical stuff, lube and everything is nice and sweet...incase i have to take down anymore stock Mustangs who think they're hot with those damn flomasters
#11
05-18-2005, 05:17 PM
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Originally Posted by Jtrain
I normally give the car a little gas 1500 or 1800 rpms untill the Temp meter hits the actual line of C, then I have a 1/2 mile 30mile zone to get out of my neighborhood, then i drive niicely for a nice mile in a 45mph zone, then I drove her i like stole her.
I warm it up and give it time, to make sure the electical stuff, lube and everything is nice and sweet...incase i have to take down anymore stock Mustangs who think they're hot with those damn flomasters
I warm it up and give it time, to make sure the electical stuff, lube and everything is nice and sweet...incase i have to take down anymore stock Mustangs who think they're hot with those damn flomasters
#12
05-18-2005, 06:21 PM
#15
05-18-2005, 07:59 PM
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Some of you guys are way too conservative.
Unless its very cold out, there is no real reason to let it warm up for more than a minute or so, or even 30 seconds for that matter.. and if it is very cold out, no more than a few minutes. Even that is being conservative. As long as you drive slowly, and wait for the temperature gauge to reach operating temperatures before stepping on it, you are fine. In the mornings before I leave, I routinely go out, start the car, run in and brush my teeth and then be on my way.
Only problem I see is when people start their cars, and slam right on the gas without letting it warm up for even a second. Even when its 30° out. I'd say atleast let it warm up for 30 seconds before pulling away.
Unless its very cold out, there is no real reason to let it warm up for more than a minute or so, or even 30 seconds for that matter.. and if it is very cold out, no more than a few minutes. Even that is being conservative. As long as you drive slowly, and wait for the temperature gauge to reach operating temperatures before stepping on it, you are fine. In the mornings before I leave, I routinely go out, start the car, run in and brush my teeth and then be on my way.
Only problem I see is when people start their cars, and slam right on the gas without letting it warm up for even a second. Even when its 30° out. I'd say atleast let it warm up for 30 seconds before pulling away.
Last edited by heeb; 05-18-2005 at 08:01 PM.