Do you let your car warm up before driving?
Been Around A Long Time Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 1,110
From:
RE: Do you let your car warm up before driving?
ORIGINAL: superballz00
Not and idle problem just start up rpm is high. Goes up to 1.75k then drops to 1.5k within about 5-10sec. After about 4mins of warm up it'll drop to 750 rpm.
Not and idle problem just start up rpm is high. Goes up to 1.75k then drops to 1.5k within about 5-10sec. After about 4mins of warm up it'll drop to 750 rpm.
I cant figure out whats wrong with it, but Its not that big an issue for me.
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 636
From: Arlington, VA
RE: Do you let your car warm up before driving?
ORIGINAL: 19Accord97
You shouldnt let it warm for more than 30 seconds.
Why? When you let it idle, (ecspecially on cold days) the valves are not are their right size because they are cold. This causes more wear, and since it takes longer to warm up when the car is idling it there is more wear and tear. But that does not mean to floor it when its cold, that is the most abusive thing you can do to it. Simply start it, sit for 15 seconds, then drive normally. Also, when you car is up to temperature, that does not mean the oil temp unless you have a gauge for that. Oil takes even longer to warm up. But like everything...its all up to you're own decision.
You shouldnt let it warm for more than 30 seconds.
Why? When you let it idle, (ecspecially on cold days) the valves are not are their right size because they are cold. This causes more wear, and since it takes longer to warm up when the car is idling it there is more wear and tear. But that does not mean to floor it when its cold, that is the most abusive thing you can do to it. Simply start it, sit for 15 seconds, then drive normally. Also, when you car is up to temperature, that does not mean the oil temp unless you have a gauge for that. Oil takes even longer to warm up. But like everything...its all up to you're own decision.
[*]"Don't warm up your vehicle for more than 30 seconds. This is a tough one, especially for us here at Consumer Guide®, where Chicago's frigid winters are a way of life. Thanks to technology, however, most modern fuel-injected cars only really need 30 seconds to warm, and hot air can start blasting into the cabin very shortly thereafter. "
[/ul]
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 116
From:
RE: Do you let your car warm up before driving?
I forgot to say how much I love my block heater. That was the first accessory I put on the car. I can tell it works by watching the tach. Even on the coldest mornings, the high-idle is the same as a summer start. It's nice having the fast heat output, but I did it mainly for engine longevity, thinking cold winter startups are one of the hardest things on an engine.
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 116
From:
RE: Do you let your car warm up before driving?
ORIGINAL: smaglik
how tough is it to install? i may get one...gets rather cold here in the winter at night....
how tough is it to install? i may get one...gets rather cold here in the winter at night....
The 2nd part of the whole scheme is to buy a timer w/ a 3-prong plug that'll handle the wattage. That way, the heater isn't sucking juice all night long- it can get expensive. 3 hours is plenty of time to get the engine all nice and toasty.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
WheelBrokerAng
Sights n Sounds
3
Jul 26, 2012 10:33 PM
WheelBrokerAng
Sights n Sounds
0
Dec 3, 2011 02:47 PM
WheelBrokerAng
Sights n Sounds
0
Mar 3, 2011 11:20 AM
