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Vane520 Rookie Author Ontario Posts:8 Points:3,050 Joined:Mar 2011	Message Posted: Mar 22, 2011 7:48:05 AM Ignore Vane520 Report Abuse I've often wondered if this is actually necessary--or at least for how long. I've read conflicting opinions on this and was wondering if --as Dad has always told me-- it's important to warm up your car in the winter for a minute or two before driving.

Vane520

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Ontario

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Message Posted: Mar 22, 2011 7:48:05 AM

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I've often wondered if this is actually necessary--or at least for how long. I've read conflicting opinions on this and was wondering if --as Dad has always told me-- it's important to warm up your car in the winter for a minute or two before driving.

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forestghost07 All-Star Author Miami Posts:604 Points:7,565 Joined:Apr 2013	Message Posted: Jun 4, 2013 6:07:21 PM Ignore forestghost07 Report Abuse "people.. there is NO mechanical reason to "warm" your engine. that is a holdover from the days of cast iron engines, craburettors, and less sophisticated oils. even at well below zero, start, and move off at a moderate pace...Zero degrees F is common here,, never ever a problem with start and go...no waiting, no unnecessary pollution, no unnecessary waste of fuel" Agreed - my '99 suv doesn't even know it's "cold" after a few sec of running. My old car needs 1 min of idle w/ manual choke to stabilize.
MertieMan Champion Author Lexington Posts:14,928 Points:2,923,310 Joined:May 2005	Message Posted: Jun 4, 2013 7:58:34 AM Ignore MertieMan Report Abuse With todays high tech vehicles this is absolutely NOT necessary. They warm up better if you drive them at a moderate speed for just a bit.
PassmyGas Veteran Author North Carolina Posts:375 Points:677,730 Joined:Jul 2010	Message Posted: Jun 4, 2013 7:21:16 AM Ignore PassmyGas Report Abuse not needed
TheRealDeal78 Sophomore Author Bakersfield Posts:127 Points:360,080 Joined:Mar 2012	Message Posted: Jun 4, 2013 4:31:57 AM Ignore TheRealDeal78 Report Abuse Nowadays it is not necessary. The only time I ever let my car warm up, is when I turn it on to let the AC cool off the car in the summer.
ricebike Champion Author New Jersey Posts:10,106 Points:1,870,850 Joined:Oct 2005	Message Posted: Apr 2, 2013 11:03:37 PM Ignore ricebike Report Abuse only for passenger comfort
ricebike Champion Author New Jersey Posts:10,106 Points:1,870,850 Joined:Oct 2005	Message Posted: Apr 2, 2013 11:03:37 PM Ignore ricebike Report Abuse only for passenger comfort
aalix Champion Author Orange County Posts:23,320 Points:4,149,075 Joined:Aug 2001	Message Posted: Apr 2, 2013 5:01:10 PM Ignore aalix Report Abuse Start vehicle, drive slowly for few minutes and then go.
chuckl95453 Veteran Author California Posts:457 Points:70,350 Joined:Mar 2013	Message Posted: Apr 2, 2013 11:15:31 AM Ignore chuckl95453 Report Abuse neighbor used to warm it up about 15 minutes.
lloyd10977 Rookie Author Trenton Posts:11 Points:20,645 Joined:Oct 2012	Message Posted: Mar 31, 2013 8:58:26 PM Ignore lloyd10977 Report Abuse Engine designers have indicated that there is no reason to "warm up" late model engines beyond allowing the engine to idle until the engine rhythm stabilizes, then drive at a moderate rate for a few minutes. Idling longer is only a waste of fuel while driving actually warms the car and heating system faster.
gougedQC Champion Author Montreal Posts:5,140 Points:69,985 Joined:Apr 2008	Message Posted: Mar 31, 2013 8:52:19 PM Ignore gougedQC Report Abuse people.. there is NO mechanical reason to "warm" your engine. that is a holdover from the days of cast iron engines, craburettors, and less sophisticated oils. even at well below zero, start, and move off at a moderate pace...Zero degrees F is common here,, never ever a problem with start and go...no waiting, no unnecessary pollution, no unnecessary waste of fuel
skh150 Rookie Author Denver Posts:91 Points:178,170 Joined:Jan 2007	Message Posted: Mar 31, 2013 2:46:38 PM Ignore skh150 Report Abuse yea
Ryan456789 Champion Author Milwaukee Posts:9,260 Points:1,398,135 Joined:Mar 2003	Message Posted: Mar 31, 2013 1:22:51 PM Ignore Ryan456789 Report Abuse In colder temps, yes, but generally not for long.
dontuknowOH Champion Author Ohio Posts:2,123 Points:37,065 Joined:Aug 2009	Message Posted: Mar 30, 2013 12:58:00 AM Ignore dontuknowOH Report Abuse The important thing I always try to remember is; When any engine fires up at anytime from a cold start > meaning, referring to a completely cooled down non running ICE power source. Winter V/S Summer temps, especially very cold temps = .... Remember > the area above each piston is being subjected to explosive extremely hot pressures similar to dynamite explosions coming close to temperatures of a cutting torch. At that same time the oil condition temps on the lower side (inner area) of each firing cylinder under the piston and touching each one , those temps are or could be anywhere from -10 F >>>> commonly 50 F degrees or higher oil temps. Temps upward to 180+ F after normal operation occurs. Saying each start-up from cold those extreme temperature differences exist at the fast moving piston areas from top to bottom of every piston while in high motion. Also at the inner cylinder walls/P..rings area. More extreme temps then, >>> but similar to a block of ice with a propane torch burning under it only doing start/stop motion which is(hard to comprehend) for my thoughts. Motion like an electric sewing machine needle running on high pedal speed, Girls know about this I think anyway.... Done!
sagnat Champion Author Riverside Posts:1,293 Points:336,065 Joined:Jun 2012	Message Posted: Mar 22, 2013 5:19:31 AM Ignore sagnat Report Abuse Warm it up while driving it easy until at operating temp. No need to let it sit and idle.
bikergirlss Champion Author Kansas Posts:2,783 Points:178,850 Joined:Jun 2004	Message Posted: Mar 17, 2013 3:16:27 PM Ignore bikergirlss Report Abuse I usually "warm up" less than 1 minute, even with remote start
panj Champion Author Pennsylvania Posts:13,296 Points:1,137,775 Joined:Nov 2007	Message Posted: Mar 17, 2013 2:59:02 PM Ignore panj Report Abuse i warm up the pontiac year round! remote start makes it easy.
speedy700 All-Star Author New Jersey Posts:542 Points:153,800 Joined:Jan 2013	Message Posted: Mar 9, 2013 12:22:25 AM Ignore speedy700 Report Abuse Nope...car actually warms up faster if you drive it since the engine is under load. Just don't accelerate too fast for the first couple of miles. My car has over 120k miles and runs great w/o burning any oil in between oil changes (every 5k miles) and has never sat there warming up. Well maybe on a few occasions when there was heavy frost on the windshield.
djtigger Rookie Author San Antonio Posts:2 Points:12,770 Joined:Mar 2013	Message Posted: Mar 8, 2013 10:57:27 AM Ignore djtigger Report Abuse It's Always Important to Warm Up Your Vehicle, Whether It's Cold or Hot. Just Like A Hi Tech Printer, It's Got To Warm Up The Ink, Well In This Case Vehicle Talk, Got To Warm Up The Oil, In My Opinion.
wintersucks Champion Author Minnesota Posts:1,008 Points:15,060 Joined:Feb 2008	Message Posted: Mar 8, 2013 9:01:30 AM Ignore wintersucks Report Abuse Summer here in MN I just wait till the engine idles down and drive easy till temps increase. In winter it gets a few minutes, in the deep of winter with -10--30+ temps it sometimes gets more than 15 min and still isn't very warm. Temps where at stop lights it actually cools down and can't maintain temp. You can't just hop in and take off that cold. The fogged windows can be dangerous. Maybe we should hold our breath untill the engine warms up???
rick_evans Champion Author Boston Posts:3,862 Points:1,058,800 Joined:Aug 2005	Message Posted: Mar 1, 2013 6:48:16 AM Ignore rick_evans Report Abuse Warming the sitting car dates from the choke and carburetor days. We now have fuel injection and computers. Driving conservatively for a few minutes while giving the radiator fluid time to move into the normal range has the same warming benefits. As an aside I have a neighbor who warms his car 10 to 15 minutes whether its 19 or 91 degrees. Maybe he owns refinery stocks.
OilerFan Champion Author Tulsa Posts:14,184 Points:2,457,575 Joined:Aug 2005	Message Posted: Feb 28, 2013 7:40:32 AM Ignore OilerFan Report Abuse You just warm the engine enough to get the oil flowing well.
eyegotgas2 Champion Author British Columbia Posts:1,244 Points:284,130 Joined:Sep 2011	Message Posted: Feb 28, 2013 7:18:07 AM Ignore eyegotgas2 Report Abuse I start my car and warm it up if I have thick frost. Only had to do it a few times this year so far.
xbAG Veteran Author California Posts:479 Points:235,240 Joined:Jan 2012	Message Posted: Feb 27, 2013 3:22:13 PM Ignore xbAG Report Abuse No I don't pay attention. the weather here ( central coast CA) never gets too cold. maybe 32 degrees in the winter in the middle of the night.
kylejetta13tdi Rookie Author Michigan Posts:38 Points:36,375 Joined:Feb 2013	Message Posted: Feb 26, 2013 6:49:37 PM Ignore kylejetta13tdi Report Abuse Both my truck and car are diesels and I always allow them to warm up. Diesels run very noisy and low performance until up to temp.
CptSteve Champion Author Illinois Posts:13,306 Points:2,671,915 Joined:Jul 2005	Message Posted: Feb 26, 2013 1:02:12 PM Ignore CptSteve Report Abuse Only slightly. Super cold I would let it warm a bit more.
BigHorne1 Champion Author Missouri Posts:1,638 Points:324,475 Joined:Jul 2012	Message Posted: Feb 26, 2013 9:17:42 AM Ignore BigHorne1 Report Abuse Seems like it, but your mpg will go down
vikings80 All-Star Author South Dakota Posts:781 Points:110,065 Joined:Aug 2008	Message Posted: Feb 26, 2013 7:17:22 AM Ignore vikings80 Report Abuse yes
IAMCANADIAN73 Champion Author Ontario Posts:2,525 Points:1,148,550 Joined:Apr 2008	Message Posted: Feb 26, 2013 2:11:30 AM Ignore IAMCANADIAN73 Report Abuse Yes
IAMCANADIAN73 Champion Author Ontario Posts:2,525 Points:1,148,550 Joined:Apr 2008	Message Posted: Feb 26, 2013 2:11:21 AM Ignore IAMCANADIAN73 Report Abuse Yes
hyeglenn Champion Author Fresno Posts:1,208 Points:627,095 Joined:Apr 2011	Message Posted: Feb 25, 2013 10:58:46 PM Ignore hyeglenn Report Abuse I do on cold days because I drive a diesel.
blazingedge Veteran Author Knoxville Posts:298 Points:146,085 Joined:Jun 2011	Message Posted: Feb 25, 2013 11:56:32 AM Ignore blazingedge Report Abuse Not letting your oil properly warm can damage your car. It will not be much damage but it builds up over time decreasing the longevity of the engine. Oil is like the blood of a car. Before the human body can use water in the blood stream, it has to warm it up.
LKnight598 All-Star Author South Carolina Posts:927 Points:209,240 Joined:Nov 2005	Message Posted: Feb 25, 2013 9:20:42 AM Ignore LKnight598 Report Abuse I try to, but sometimes it's simply not practical.
brihtniej Rookie Author Minnesota Posts:26 Points:5,900 Joined:Feb 2013	Message Posted: Feb 20, 2013 12:14:53 PM Ignore brihtniej Report Abuse I dont have a temp meter on my dash. (would be usful if i did) but i hardly ever let my car warm up. I get in start it up and im off. Hope thats not bad for my vehicle
dontuknowOH Champion Author Ohio Posts:2,123 Points:37,065 Joined:Aug 2009	Message Posted: Feb 20, 2013 11:21:14 AM Ignore dontuknowOH Report Abuse 30 seconds for the vehicle then go,I have heat detected as soon as the temp guage moves off the extreem Cold mark,more when it reached the low normal mark,time to switch blower to med/high mode at the upper vents. Have aftermarket heated seat add-ons,hardly use them till the single diget weather arrives,on fabric OEM seats.Plenty of cabin heat after 180 seconds of driving moderate highway.
gvan Champion Author Chicago Posts:21,758 Points:2,863,990 Joined:Dec 2004	Message Posted: Feb 20, 2013 9:44:12 AM Ignore gvan Report Abuse I start my car and let it warm up as long as it takes to put my safety belt on and then go.
chipote Champion Author Washington Posts:1,274 Points:393,305 Joined:Nov 2010	Message Posted: Feb 13, 2013 12:18:44 AM Ignore chipote Report Abuse No, not necessary.
WTM Champion Author Philadelphia Posts:5,545 Points:968,650 Joined:Apr 2006	Message Posted: Feb 12, 2013 10:10:09 PM Ignore WTM Report Abuse If I start my car and wait only 20-30sec before driving off, my FE averages are higher, especially on short trips. If I start my car and allow it to warm-up for 5min before driving off, my FE averages are LOWER unless I'm driving longer distances(20-30mi).
KnowledgeMI Rookie Author Lansing Posts:81 Points:49,265 Joined:Dec 2010	Message Posted: Dec 24, 2012 3:53:30 PM Ignore KnowledgeMI Report Abuse I let mine warm up for a minute. Its a 1990 vehicle so yeah.
mst150 Champion Author Detroit Posts:1,452 Points:187,330 Joined:Dec 2012	Message Posted: Dec 24, 2012 12:02:34 PM Ignore mst150 Report Abuse No, but I still do it out of habit.
hornet17 Champion Author Vancouver Posts:1,323 Points:440,865 Joined:Aug 2011	Message Posted: Dec 24, 2012 10:21:10 AM Ignore hornet17 Report Abuse thing of the past with modern fuel injection.
gougedQC Champion Author Montreal Posts:5,140 Points:69,985 Joined:Apr 2008	Message Posted: Dec 24, 2012 9:05:25 AM Ignore gougedQC Report Abuse -13 C last night, brush off a dusting of snow, start and go. warming up is unnecessary.
jes Champion Author Pennsylvania Posts:16,295 Points:3,378,225 Joined:Jun 2003	Message Posted: Dec 24, 2012 7:21:35 AM Ignore jes Report Abuse If there's no ice or snow on it, start & go.
OceanArcher Champion Author Mississippi Posts:5,843 Points:1,355,100 Joined:May 2004	Message Posted: Dec 22, 2012 9:55:04 AM Ignore OceanArcher Report Abuse I no longer do the "warm-up" thingy. Not necessary with today's engines
WEDDY Champion Author Phoenix Posts:3,387 Points:1,065,220 Joined:Oct 2009	Message Posted: Jan 2, 2012 9:55:20 AM Ignore WEDDY Report Abuse no, just start and go.
gougedQC Champion Author Montreal Posts:5,140 Points:69,985 Joined:Apr 2008	Message Posted: Jan 1, 2012 11:07:13 PM Ignore gougedQC Report Abuse absolutely not necessary with modern computerized, injected engines and with modern oils....-10C -20C...no problem.. start up, adjust your mirrors, buckle up and take off eh.. there are at least two other threads on exactly this subject,,,seems a bit redundant
subarumanOH Rookie Author Columbus Posts:9 Points:1,255 Joined:Dec 2011	Message Posted: Dec 31, 2011 3:33:39 PM Ignore subarumanOH Report Abuse only when real cold out
pinbuster2005 Champion Author New Hampshire Posts:5,210 Points:1,524,650 Joined:Oct 2005	Message Posted: Dec 31, 2011 6:23:10 AM Ignore pinbuster2005 Report Abuse I've never warmed up any automobile I've owned. I scrape my windows to remove ice. I drive slowly for a couple of miles to let all the fluids in the automobile including the transmission warm up before hitting highway speeds. I have plenty of heat by the time I get a mile down the road. Also if there is going to be a snow/ice storm during the night I'll put a tarp over the cab of my truck that will cover all the windows so I don't have to scrape just brush the snow off the hood & tonneu cover. Plus I use synthetic oil in my automobiles.
WhiteFord23 Sophomore Author South Bend Posts:221 Points:283,415 Joined:Jun 2011	Message Posted: Dec 29, 2011 11:54:44 PM Ignore WhiteFord23 Report Abuse Its neccesary if you live in cold climate to remove ice from the windows
Dennis783 Champion Author Des Moines Posts:13,735 Points:2,730,835 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Dec 28, 2011 8:39:26 AM Ignore Dennis783 Report Abuse In this weather I always start it and let it warm up for my comfort (remote start is wonderful)!
dontuknowOH Champion Author Ohio Posts:2,123 Points:37,065 Joined:Aug 2009	Message Posted: Dec 27, 2011 2:01:23 PM Ignore dontuknowOH Report Abuse I can't speak for anyone but my vehicles,they don't fire up untill about the 3-5 compression stroke,that gives the engine 3 or more 360` crankshaft turns without a running load(combustion power). This is plenty of time for the oil pump to deliver pressure to proper areas of bearing loads with a normal healthy engine before combustion pressures take place(engine running)..exhaust rumble... Modern engines are probably already pressure lubed while still on starter/cranking mode, before engine fires up. Warming up is more associated with clear windows,a bit of cabin heat,clear mirrors,messing the frozen stuff away etc. Freeing wipers,stopping refrost is a cost to the fuel tank/you. Winter Trends, These do affect the modern vehicles also.