Engine Warm up before Driving Out??

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May 18, 2008 | 08:57 AM

RD400H

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From: CA

Engine Warm up before Driving Out??

I observed that the milage comes down drastically after I start the engine. Is it good idea to warm up the engine before driving off??

May 18, 2008 | 08:59 AM

Lexmex

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From: Miami, Florida

I usually do about 30 seconds before I pull away. About 3 minutes in park warms up tranny enough and about 13 minutes will fully warm up the vehicle in park.

May 19, 2008 | 07:53 AM

SLegacy99

Lead Lap

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From: MD

No matter what your engine will have to warm up and obviously it will take longer and suck down more fuel when its colder out.

I've found that in ours we see between 20-23 MPG in the first 5 minutes of driving, but after that it jumps to between 26-30 depending on the kind of driving that you do.

May 19, 2008 | 03:06 PM

herbvdh

Instructor

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From: USA

Quote:

Originally Posted by RD400H

I observed that the milage comes down drastically after I start the engine. Is it good idea to warm up the engine before driving off??

If it is very cold out below 35F I will let the engine run about 30 seconds to a minute then I put it in drive and leave. It is normal for the first five minutes to show low miles per gallon due to the gas engine having to warm up the catalytic converter etc. I did a graph and posted it on CL about temperature and gas milage the colder it is the lower your gas milage will be. Go to
http://www.greenhybrid.com/compare/m.../car/5831.html and you can see all my gas milage records.

May 19, 2008 | 04:17 PM

iKenn

Just call me "Sprinkes"

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Joined: Sep 2007

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From: AwesomeLand.

how do you idle this car?

i tried reving the engine a few times with no luck unless i hold my foot down long enough

May 20, 2008 | 11:05 AM

oldcajun

Racer

Joined: Feb 2006

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From: AZ

You will get the best overall mileage if you don't warm up the car. It is true that initial mileage will be low when you start cold, but during the warm-up period the mileage is zero since you are burning fuel and not moving. Best results are to drive with a light throttle until the engine is warm. The electric part of the hybrid system and the CVT will help some, but avoid rapid acceleration and high speeds with a cold engine. Letting the engine idle for long periods slows the warm-up and is not ideal for circulating cold oil.
Steve

May 21, 2008 | 12:20 PM

soda97

Driver School Candidate

Joined: Jan 2008

Posts: 32

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From: PA

yea...unless it's real cold there's no need to warm up the car more than 30 sec
Other than it's at 0 MPG, idling engine also releases twice as many exhaust fumes
Not only your engine needs to warm up but other parts need to be warmed up as well such as tires
Just remember not to floor it when you just start driving the car

soda