how long do you let your car warm up
 

How long does everyone let their car warm up if its warm and when its cold and is there an advantage/disadvantage to it?

Thanks.

Starting the engine is the main culprit of engine wear. When you go out in the morning and crank on it. All of the engines oil has drained to tbe bottom of the pan. So when you start it..., the engine begins to circulate the oil.

So if you start up and take off, then you are running the engine before it has a chance to lubricate it self.

Now as far as warming up..., I do it hot or cold weather. If you ever noticed that when you start the auto it revs higher on idle than it does after you drive it to the stop sign or light.

So to find the optimum rpm to let you know when your auto is warm go out in the morning and start it up and watch the tack. It'll settle down somewhere around 1000 rpm's. When you notice the idle calm down, look at the tack this is where I warm my auto to on every start. It usually takes a song and a half or two songs on the radio to get it warm.

I hope this helps you.

Necessary?

thats what i try to do as well, get it around 1k. As for if it's necessary, he said it is a cause of wear and tear, so if you want your engine to last longer and stay in better shape then yes. But i dont think you will see any 'instant' damage if you do go before it warms up

The damage is long term as in it takes a while for it to break down but when it does. Your'e screwed. It's kind of like asking why should I change my oil??? Because you want your car to last. Autos are an investment. the better care of them you take the longer it lasts. The more preventive maintenance you do the less catastrophic maintenance you have to repair.


Chicks usually never warm up the cars...., if that's the category you want to be placed in keep driving it cold.

It's just a good habit to get into just like parking way out in a parking lot. Think about all of the moving parts inside your engine and then imagine them running with no oil and you tell us if it's a must or not.

Its takes me a good half an hour for my car to warm up cuz its spring and it jus snowed in chicago
Can u imagine in the winter time
It takes that long cuz I want my car to have the heat working so when I get in the car I won't freeze to death

well god knows i don't want to be NEAR any category related to women and driving. :)

Huh?I'm lost :dunno:

someone must have erased it, they just said women don't warm up cars. just joking its all in fun.

It's just good common sense to let the car run for a few before you jet.

If it takes that long for your car to warm up, your thermostat is stuck open. Even just idleing the car in sub freezing temperatures it should be at full operating temp within 15 minutes, if you drive the car it should get to full operating temp within 5 minutes. And thats a fact, not an opinion.

I let my car warm up until the stock temp gauge starts to register which takes about 2 minutes. I'm at full operating temp within 5 minutes of driving, even in 30 degree weather.

But its a REAL fact that the entire engine itself is not 'evenly & completely' at operating temp for 15-20 minutes, because ALL the metal parts, oil, and coolant are absorbing the heat. College class: Autoshop 101

Unless its like -10 degrees out it shouldn't take that long. It sounds like my car with a stuck open t-stat. Fixed that and it was warm in 10 mines in like 10 degree weather.

^^^^
That's true. The coolant flows thru the heater core even when the t-stat is closed. Thats why a 195* t-stat gives you better heater op in the winter.

SO I am just totally off base in all of my doings in this forum or what???

I bought the toyota oem t stat replacement. Was this the wrong move because I thought about a higher temp as well.

The car came with a 195* t-stat, so that is probably what you got at the dealer. And if you went to a parts store and asked for a t-stat for your car, they would look it up on the puter and sell you the 195*.

Coolness. Thanks mrnickleye..., That's exactlly why I have went to the dealer and went oem on the things I couldn't decide upon due to lack of knowledge.

I installed the ARP studs today. I should be getting the head on monday or the first day it's not raining. I guess I need to purchase a torque wrench. I'd rent one but I have a feeling I'm going to need it again at a later date.

It's always a plus to buy nice new tools and keep them that way. I'm going to paint the cam cover high temp red. I'm going to high temp flat black the distributor cover then do the accent in red.

It's going to make my MSD sparkle. I am so syked. If I wasn't married..., I'd still be in the garage.

My buddy is supposed to come over tomorrow and help me pull the crank shaft pulley.

My advice as far as the torque wrench, don't rent one, because its been used by alot of idiots and torque wrenches need to be re-calibrated every so often. Especially after they've been dropped or smashed around.

If you are going to buy one, by a digital snap-on 3/8" drive torque wrench. You will love it as it gives live streaming torque values, about 3 per second, down to the tenth (.1) of a foot pound and also does inch pounds and newton meters.

Marraige and garages CAN work
 

supremacist quote:
If I wasn't married..., I'd still be in the garage.

I know what you mean, when I was married, I was into moto-x for 3 years, and had 9 bikes in the garage. No room for a car.

I was working on them, or out riding them. BUT...I made sure the important stuff she wanted got done, like b-day parties, dinner with friends, and (you know),etc.

I insulated and panelled the garage. Put in a gas wall heater, and an A/C, and a beer fridge. 2 big work benches.
It was a 2 1/2 car garage, so I had lots of room. Lots of those 4' lights.

Snow outside, me in there working on bikes to make 'em faster.
106* summer day, me inside with A/C strippen 'em down, builden 'em up.

well it was, freezing like hell, (dont make sense but u get it)

i meant was i start my car leave it along for a good 30 mins
so when i get in the car i know that the heater is working, and everything inside is warmd up already, seats, steering wheel, SHIFT KNOB, omg dont get those metal shift knobs they suck balls

yea but probably about 10-15 minutes the engine would probly be warm enuff to drive

My wife tolerates my passion for auto's well, now that she has witnessed me in action with some of them a bit.

They always scream when you drive too fast or on the edge of the envelope, but they like it and respect your abilities as a driver wether they will admit it or not, lol.