Cold Start vs. Warming Up

[7jkt1]

I keep hearing that we should never wait for the car to warm up. Why?? :Idunno: Is a cold start better for the car?? Is cold start also good during those cold winter mornings??

[oyster]

I wait 20-30sec then drive slow and don't rev the engine too much. so far so good

I think idling is not an efficient burn

[A08E46]

I cannot speak for all makes and models but I do believe for relatively newer cars, BMWs and others, engines only require half a minute to 'warm-up'. Performance should not be compromised. It really isn't necessary to idle the engine for longer periods but most people do because they want the heating system to warm up, and this requires more time. No one really wants cold air blowing in their face except for during the summer. I avoid using the fan after ignition but the heated seats are always on. In Canada, heated seats should not be an option but the extra $540 is worth it.

[7jkt1]

I've also read somewhere (maybe here...can't remember :p ) that warming up the engine will cause unstable idle....like the rev needle will sometimes flucuate when the car is at a red light.

I've experienced something like this before, but I'm never certain if it's really due to warming the engine, or me being anal.

[Kanuck]

The engine will warm up faster if being (gently) driven rather than idling. I believe that is the reasoning behind not "warming up the car" before driving off. A warmed up engine is a happy engine.

[Jersey]

The engine will warm up faster if being (gently) driven rather than idling. I believe that is the reasoning behind not "warming up the car" before driving off. A warmed up engine is a happy engine.

yea thats what the dealer told me too....its better to drive it slowly and at lower revs than letting it idle....

i usually sit down, start the car, buckly up, pick a cd...then drive off...

[BlueSky]

i just start the car and wait till the RPM drops below 1K and go... only takes about 30secs

[audiophilia]

The engine will warm up faster if being (gently) driven rather than idling. I believe that is the reasoning behind not "warming up the car" before driving off. A warmed up engine is a happy engine.
BTW, welcome, Kanuck...good to have you aboard

[ianS]

You want the whole car to warm up instead of just the piston, so you drive slowly to warm it up instead keep it idle. But when I complaining about the morning stalling & rough rev issue to the dealers(t&c, autohaus & dt), their first question is "have you warm up your car(sit idle) in the morning?", I told them "no", then they told me "no, you should warm it up for more than 5 min before moving it! it is still an tranditional piston engine". The next time I complain the same problem again, then they ask the same question! and I will answer "yes" then they said "You shouldn't warm up your car at all, it is a modern design that it will harm the engine if you sit it idling!" what the hell are those guy...... :Idunno: :thumbsdow

[Canuck328i]

If I warm mine up, the dreaded idle bump happens. 20 to 30 second rule seems to work.

On a similar subject, anybody here put a block heater in?

Mark

[Rice]

You want the whole car to warm up instead of just the piston, so you drive slowly to warm it up instead keep it idle. But when I complaining about the morning stalling & rough rev issue to the dealers(t&c, autohaus & dt), their first question is "have you warm up your car(sit idle) in the morning?", I told them "no", then they told me "no, you should warm it up for more than 5 min before moving it! it is still an tranditional piston engine". The next time I complain the same problem again, then they ask the same question! and I will answer "yes" then they said "You shouldn't warm up your car at all, it is a modern design that it will harm the engine if you sit it idling!" what the hell are those guy...... :Idunno: :thumbsdow

Doesn't matter what the answer is, you're screwed when dealing with the dealer :mad: