how to properly warming up car after car sits for a long time?

[Winstar]

Hi,

I was wondering when you start up the car in the morning, how long do you let the car idles before driving off, especially in the winter time?

With my old car, I usually let my car run for a min in the summer/spring/fall and 5 mins in the winter but my neighbor was telling me this morning that newer cars [2000 and up] like mine just needs about 10 - 30 seconds after start up and I just drive away, even in winter but I just need to take it easy until the first quarter of the temp gauge.


- Mike

[emptyminded42]

In warmer weather, I pretty much start it, fasten my seatbelt, select my music, and drive off.

In winter, I might let it run a little longer, like 30 secs before driving. I take it easy until it's warm, though (mine runs just barely above halfway up the temp gauge once it's warm). I live in Ohio/Indiana so it's probably not as cold as you but it's been around 0* F before and I just let it heat up briefly and haven't had any trouble in the almost 2 years I've had my car.

[FlawedLegacy]

I let it sit just long enough to turn on my lights, crank the heat/air or open the windows accordingly and buckle up. This goes for Summer, Fall, Winter and Spring. 0 wait time for takeoff.

Your neighbor isn't far off, but does need ANY time realistically.

[PhatRoyale]

I usually give it a minute or two minutes on the coldest of days in winter. Anything more is too long and your fuel consumption goes to waste.

[motto]

Whether it's the middle of summer or stupid cold I just wait for the tach to settle at 1100 rpm. Usually the car starts at about 1200. In the winter it obviously takes a little longer for it to drop to 1100. I take this as a sign from the engine management computer thing that it's ready to go.

[SuperchargedMR2]

Originally Posted by Winstar

Hi,

I was wondering when you start up the car in the morning, how long do you let the car idles before driving off, especially in the winter time?

With my old car, I usually let my car run for a min in the summer/spring/fall and 5 mins in the winter but my neighbor was telling me this morning that newer cars [2000 and up] like mine just needs about 10 - 30 seconds after start up and I just drive away, even in winter but I just need to take it easy until the first quarter of the temp gauge.


- Mike

Most fuel injected cars don't need any warm up time, even in cold weather. The engine will warm up quickest by driving easy for the first few miles & burn off any condensation. Even with my 89 MR2 I start it & go easy, after 2 miles it's up to operating temp for the coolant. If I'm going to drive it hard though I wait for the oil temp to come up which takes 5-10 minutes.

[tu_culo]

^^^^^^+1

[toyotas4all]

I have recently learned that warming up your car even for 5 minutes every morning can hit your mpg by decreasing it by about 3-4.

[ToxicBanana]

Originally Posted by toyotas4all

I have recently learned that warming up your car even for 5 minutes every morning can hit your mpg by decreasing it by about 3-4.

This depends alot if you drive for 1 mile a day or 100, but it can sure add up.