how long/short do you warm up your when its below zero

[echo7]

this question has been asked many times inmany forums.. i just thought of starting one for the matrix

[matrixdude06]

dont have too, doesnt get that cold dwn here in florida

[Memphis_Matrix]

Originally Posted by echo7

this question has been asked many times inmany forums.. i just thought of starting one for the matrix

I think that the important thing is to drive more tentatively while the engine is cold. Don't let the revs get to high. You want your oil to heat up so it gets off the bottom of the oil pan and coats those vital components of the engine that it lubricates.
Personally, I let it idle for a minute, maybe, then hit it. I make sure I shift before 3500 until it warms up.

[matrixmanvvtl_i]

mine usually doesn't see temps below 40 sometimes 30 but what i do is since i have an 04 xrs with the smog pump i usually wait til that turns off then drive and shift around 2500-3000 until needle is half way up the gauge...

[jnixon]

It's 10 degrees here in Delaware lately. I've been waiting about 2-3 minutes to warm up before going to work every day.

[Frank@toronto]

3-5 minutes...I'm in no hurry.

[Mooch]

Great question. I was wondering the same thing myself when I hopped in my Matrix and saw the outside temperature on the thermometer read -6!

It also answered my question if the thermometer in the car would read sub zero temps.

[bluenose2]

This morning, the temperature reading on the dash was -15 C. When started, I drove off I after about a minute and just kept it easy for the first couple of kilometers - no hard acceleration or above speed limit driving. Excessive idling is just a waste of gas.

Regards

[mistamatrix]

I'm w/ bluenose2.

[joenobodyx]

I gave mine about 5 minutes to warm up the past couple of mornings. The temps displayed as much as -7F. Of course, I also had to deal with other issues, too: Frozen doors that required a hard slam to shut all the way and a falling rearview mirror yesterday (has since been fixed).

Tomorrow, I'll have to dig it out from under six (or more) inches of snow...

[Matrix1]

I garage mine so it's usually around 40 degrees at night but when I am work
I hit the Auto Start for 10 minutes before I leave so its nice and toasty.....
Hate Driveing with a Jacket on...

The Auto start is great, good in the summer as well if you remember to put the AC on

John

[wantin150]

Most warmup procedures are for the benefit of the driver, not the car. As was said, idling is a waste of fuel and at idle, you're getting exactly 0 mpg. Start it, let idle for minute, and then go, but go easy. And, even though the engine coolant temp may warm up, it doesn;t mean that the oil is up to temp yet. Just be sensible about it.

[D Rock]

Yeah, I have never been one to idle my car for very long, unless it was to warm up the interior for another passenger (girlfriend). Just don't drive hard until it is warm.

This doesn't apply to the Matrix, but if you have a turbo, you do want to warm that up for a few minutes, even if it is not cold out.

[Memphis_Matrix]

Originally Posted by wantin150

Most warmup procedures are for the benefit of the driver, not the car. As was said, idling is a waste of fuel and at idle, you're getting exactly 0 mpg. Start it, let idle for minute, and then go, but go easy. And, even though the engine coolant temp may warm up, it doesn;t mean that the oil is up to temp yet. Just be sensible about it.

Good point, but if your coolant temp is up, your oil is not far behind. Like other posters have said, just be sensible.

[spin156]

It's been below freezing here for a couple of weeks now. I do as some of the others - let it run for about a minute and off I go. Then, just go easy until it's up to temp.