"Warm up" the car - Why???

[luckysnafu]

I always just get in my car and go unless I have to scrape ice/snow off the car.

 

[DrPizza]

This question has always bothered me.

I need to let the car idle until it warms up and the oil thins out... that way, my cylinders stay lubricated.
BUT, aren't the pistons moving WHILE it's warming up?
What difference does it make if I drive at low RPM's vs. letting it sit in the driveway warming up?

 

[SarcasticDwarf]

It is usually an *option* on new vehicles, but very few people ever get it. Retrofitting a vehicle is expensive, so only a very small number of vehicles even have them.

 

[FrustratedUser]

Originally posted by: DrPizza

This question has always bothered me.

I need to let the car idle until it warms up and the oil thins out... that way, my cylinders stay lubricated.
BUT, aren't the pistons moving WHILE it's warming up?
What difference does it make if I drive at low RPM's vs. letting it sit in the driveway warming up?

Very close to 'no difference'.

 

[Vic]

Originally posted by: SagaLore
I'm not talking about warming the engine. I'm talking about warming the passenger's area.

Warm engine block = instant passenger heat

 

[spidey07]

buttwarmers.

best car invention ever.

 

[FrustratedUser]

Originally posted by: spidey07
buttwarmers.

best car invention ever.

Some huge warm farts help out real good too.

 

[SagaLore]

Originally posted by: FrustratedUser

Originally posted by: spidey07
buttwarmers.

best car invention ever.

Some huge warm farts help out real good too.

And if you light a match, then doubly so!

 

[Minjin]

Originally posted by: FrustratedUser

Originally posted by: DrPizza

This question has always bothered me.

I need to let the car idle until it warms up and the oil thins out... that way, my cylinders stay lubricated.
BUT, aren't the pistons moving WHILE it's warming up?
What difference does it make if I drive at low RPM's vs. letting it sit in the driveway warming up?

Very close to 'no difference'.

The difference between reciprocating with no load and reciprocating with the load of a 3000lb car isn't exactly 'no difference'...

Mark

 

[Vic]

Originally posted by: Minjin

Originally posted by: FrustratedUser

Originally posted by: DrPizza

This question has always bothered me.

I need to let the car idle until it warms up and the oil thins out... that way, my cylinders stay lubricated.
BUT, aren't the pistons moving WHILE it's warming up?
What difference does it make if I drive at low RPM's vs. letting it sit in the driveway warming up?

Very close to 'no difference'.

The difference between reciprocating with no load and reciprocating with the load of a 3000lb car isn't exactly 'no difference'...

Mark

Except that the engine heats up faster with the load, hence "no difference."

Almost every new car owners manual says not to warm up the car at idle, but to drive conservatively until the engine has reached normal operating temperature.

 

Originally posted by: Remy XO
why dont they just drive slowly for 5 minutes keeping the RPM down?

You ever live in an area where it stays in the single digit temps for weeks on end?

Shivering like you're having a seizure while driving your car to warm it up sucks.

 

[EatSpam]

You obviously live in SoCal, Arizona, Florida, or someplace that doesn't get snow.

I only warm up the car when there's ice and snow on it. Ice is very hard, obviously, and without a little heat on it, it can take a very long time to scrape.

 

[Rubycon]

Press start button - begin start sequence====

Start sequence begin, crankcase temp = OK
OAT = -12C DT > 45C Oil pump start sequence begin====
ROT DT calculated! Oil pump pre run timer 120 seconds counting down====
0 seconds, engine starter will engage in 45 seconds====
Engine start trial begins - successful start.
Driver brake release READY FOR SERVICE.

Oh wait you said car!

 

[JulesMaximus]

Originally posted by: SampSon

Originally posted by: Remy XO
why dont they just drive slowly for 5 minutes keeping the RPM down?

You ever live in an area where it stays in the single digit temps for weeks on end?

Shivering like you're having a seizure while driving your car to warm it up sucks.

I have. Just dress warmly and buy a nice pair of gloves to keep your hands warm.

 

Originally posted by: JulesMaximus

Originally posted by: SampSon

Originally posted by: Remy XO
why dont they just drive slowly for 5 minutes keeping the RPM down?

You ever live in an area where it stays in the single digit temps for weeks on end?

Shivering like you're having a seizure while driving your car to warm it up sucks.

I have. Just dress warmly and buy a nice pair of gloves to keep your hands warm.

Well I do currently, everyday. Just dressing warmly doesn't cut it.

 

[HomeAppraiser]

So the heat gets to the back of your car and your kids don't freeze. Just remember to LOCK your car while it is idling!

 

[funboy6942]

Originally posted by: HomeAppraiser
So the heat gets to the back of your car and your kids don't freeze. Just remember to LOCK your car while it is idling!

I always keep a spare door key in my pocket just for that

 

[FoBoT]

garage


problem solved

 

[Leper Messiah]

Originally posted by: FoBoT
heated garage


problem solved

fixed

 

[dwcal]

Originally posted by: Syringer

Originally posted by: JulesMaximus
You really only need to let it idle for about 30-60 seconds max before driving it even in cold weather like that. 60 degree weather I'd just let it idle for 10-15 seconds before driving away.

You live in San Diego. You have no concept of driving in the very cold.

The mountain roads in Southern California go up to 9000ft, and it sure as hell gets cold. Winter nights are regularly in the teens. It's just that very few people live up there.

 

[mwtgg]

Originally posted by: JulesMaximus

Originally posted by: SampSon

Originally posted by: Remy XO
why dont they just drive slowly for 5 minutes keeping the RPM down?

You ever live in an area where it stays in the single digit temps for weeks on end?

Shivering like you're having a seizure while driving your car to warm it up sucks.

I have. Just dress warmly and buy a nice pair of gloves to keep your hands warm.

Doesn't help too much.

 

[0roo0roo]

meh i remember my parents car had a plug in the front in canada.

 

[eelw]

Most posters in this topic are wimps. I can easily handle -30C weather without issues. The only time I idle the car is when cleaning the windows of snow or when I have kids in the car. Otherwise, any adult passengers have to suck it up and bare with the cold for 5 minutes for the engine to warm up while the car is moving.

 

[giantpinkbunnyhead]

When it comes to cold climes, myself and whoozyerdaddy have all of you beat: ALASKA. Personally, I don't ever let my car idle because I think it foolish to leave it unattended in that state. As to why this rationale suddenly evaporates in humans when they are exposed to cooler temperatures is completely beyond me. Remote starts go a little bit further in keeping your car from being stolen, in that they usually shut themselves off if an attempt is made to move the car while it's running without the key in the ignition.

I drive vehicles with relatively small cabins. Standard cab trucks and several Miatas. These have far less space to heat up on cold mornings. That's one thing that helps.

I also dress for the weather. I can't say how many times I see people in sandals when it's snowing at 20 below zero, because it's just THAT important to be cool than to be smart about the weather. If you dress suitably, the initial cold temperature of your car's cabin becomes a non-issue.

People who warm their cars are just pansies.