I was wondering how long people wait for there car to warm up before they take off? I usually let it warm up for 10 min give or take. It has a rough idle usually towards the low side when I start it. If i try to drive it right away low rpm bucking is a lot worse than normal. I live in Phoenix,Az so cold temps. are not a worry. On the plus side I can drive around in 110 degree + heat all day and not have to worry about over heating even if i am driving it hard. Not bad for a car with 220,000+ miles.
How long to wait till car is warmed up.
- Thread starter AZNEAL311
- Start date
sirr0bin
New Member
I usually give it 30 seconds or so and keep it under 2500rpm until the temp guage is reading normal
In general, it's best to let it idle for 10-30 seconds and then drive it easy till everything is up to temp. This gets things warm quicker than just idling (where the trans, rear end, etc dont necessarily get warmed up).
But given your idle issue, it's probably safest to let it warm up till the glitch is not affecting performance anymore.
But given your idle issue, it's probably safest to let it warm up till the glitch is not affecting performance anymore.
JChalfan
Member
HISSIN50 said:
My thoughts too. I've always heard it's best to let a car warm up for about 30 sec to get oil everywhere it needs to be. I've also heard it's not good to let a car warm up fully while it's idling, but rather drive it to warm it up. I don't remember the exact explaination, but it made sense at the time.
Jeff
Letting the car idle till it's up to temp takes forever - driving it expedites the process. That and fuel economy/emissions are the normal reasons that I've come across.
The same it true for motorcycles (the question comes up there more often than for cars) and normally my advice is the same. I've had a couple sport bikes that were finicky at partial-choke - in traffic it was easier to let the thing idle for a few till I could de-choke and go.
The same it true for motorcycles (the question comes up there more often than for cars) and normally my advice is the same. I've had a couple sport bikes that were finicky at partial-choke - in traffic it was easier to let the thing idle for a few till I could de-choke and go.
sirr0bin
New Member
JChalfan said:
I heard it's because the oil has a harder time getting to the top end while idling and cold
trbkrb
Founding Member
fiveoho said:
LOL! Guilty! I've been daily driving mine for almost 20 years and have never let it sit for more than a few seconds or so before going, unless I'm waiting for my wife or daughter! But then again I'm in Houston, TX not way up north. I don't want any exhaust fumes in my garage. I guess driving it that way has really affected it's longevity? I only have 273,000 miles on the stock motor and it has just this year started burning oil through the valve seals.
I don't really drive it hard until it does warm up, but it is usually up to temp within a mile or two.iwashmycar
20+ Year Stangneter 
i just sit for like 20 seconds and tinker with the radio
but is it good to give a few little revs right after that?...like to get the defroster goin?
but is it good to give a few little revs right after that?...like to get the defroster goin?
1slowfiveoh
New Member
I let mine warm up for about 5 seconds, back out of my garage and drive easy.
10 minutes to warm up your car? I am glad you don't live near me.
10 minutes to warm up your car? I am glad you don't live near me.
68torinogt
Hey guys, guess what--I have a bi-pass!!!
i jump in and away i go 90 to nothin!!!!! J/k i just let the idle go till its down depending on the temp outside
Dean85GT
New Member
with a carb on mine I cant even move it unless its been running for like 5 minutes or it will just die. Its pretty annoying and even after I let the car sit for 20 minutes I have to warm it up again.
68torinogt
Hey guys, guess what--I have a bi-pass!!!
im in agreence with you. thats about what i give it. i give it more in the winter so i can get the frost off the windows.GTOReturns said:
I think its rite. 
F%$C the Neighbors
Yea im a night owl to so im in and out at all hours of the night. Sometimes i dont leave the house till 3am. Im sure my neighbors just love me. LOL but there all yuppy pricks anyway so who cares. when i do take off i leave it in first and run it like 3000rpms till i get off my street.
1slowfiveoh said:
Yea im a night owl to so im in and out at all hours of the night. Sometimes i dont leave the house till 3am. Im sure my neighbors just love me. LOL but there all yuppy pricks anyway so who cares. when i do take off i leave it in first and run it like 3000rpms till i get off my street.
what would be a problem with getting in and going? I start her up cold every morning and just drive away 
Boggs alittle at first but once i get down the road shes fine.
Boggs alittle at first but once i get down the road shes fine.
Roland69
Sergeant Tangnet
I like to see the temp gauge move befor I move...Mine idles for about 2-3 minutes in the morning and even every time after that I let it run for a bit first.
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