Heating up Engine to NOT..Idle or Drive it..?

[chris kelvin]

When it's cold, like under 35 degrees now...should you let the car sit and idle for a while, like 10 minutes to reach normal operating temperature or just start it, idle for like 2 mins then drive slowly to get it to temp..?

The 4.6 in my thunderbird takes along time to heat up, this is normal for thunderbirds..but i'm just wondering if it's better to sit there and waste gas for ten minutes or just drive it easy until it heats up.

PS i read somewhere that just idling doesn't heat up the oil like driving it slowly...is this true..?

 

[Kilgore Trout]

Idle for a couple minutes then drive gently till it warms up fully. Its all about getting the oil circulating.

 

[chris kelvin]

Thanks alot...

Lol i wish i had one of them engine heaters that alot of these newer cars come with...would make the heat come on faster...

 

[sgarlic]

You can buy aftermarket engine block heaters.. there's the kind where it's a sticky plate you attach to the oil pan, etc.

I lived in WI for years, and never used the engine block heater.. even when it was extremely cold outside.. probably out of ignorance. I just started it up and let it run for 2 or 3 minutes, then started driving.