How long to wait till car is warmed up.

AZNEAL311 · Oct 2, 2006

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.

sirr0bin · Oct 2, 2006

I usually give it 30 seconds or so and keep it under 2500rpm until the temp guage is reading normal

HISSIN50 · Oct 2, 2006

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.

JChalfan · Oct 2, 2006

HISSIN50 said:
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.

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

HISSIN50 · Oct 2, 2006

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.

TomCat · Oct 2, 2006

10 seconds after oil pressure builds up, then I drive it easy till the coolant heats up.

fiveoho · Oct 2, 2006

on a cold start, i let mine sit for 10 min. which is probably overkill but its piece of mind.

what makes me want to poke my own eyeballs out is when i see someone start it and no sooner than they get it started, they throw it in gear. AHHHHH

sirr0bin · Oct 2, 2006

JChalfan 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

I heard it's because the oil has a harder time getting to the top end while idling and cold

trbkrb · Oct 2, 2006

fiveoho said:
what makes me want to poke my own eyeballs out is when i see someone start it and no sooner than they get it started, they throw it in gear. AHHHHH

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 · Oct 2, 2006

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?

1slowfiveoh · Oct 2, 2006

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.

68torinogt · Oct 2, 2006

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 · Oct 2, 2006

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.

GTOreturns · Oct 2, 2006

In the summer I give it a solid minute.In the winter 2-4 minutes.

68torinogt · Oct 2, 2006

GTOReturns said:
In the summer I give it a solid minute.In the winter 2-4 minutes.

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 · Oct 2, 2006

68torinogt said:
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.

agreence I think its rite.

AZNEAL311 · Oct 2, 2006

F%$C the Neighbors

1slowfiveoh said:
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.

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.

mob · Oct 2, 2006

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.

Roland69 · Oct 2, 2006

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.

Mustang5L5 · Oct 2, 2006

Start car, put on seatbelt, pull out of driveway.

Modern Fuel Injection is great

How long to wait till car is warmed up.

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