View Poll Results: How long do you warm up you engine

None, start it and go!

305

36.40%

About 20 sec., until rpm drops to 1200.

321

38.31%

About 2 min., until rpm drops to 1000.

176

21.00%

However long it takes to get water temp up. (post what temp)

4.30%

Voters: 838. You may not vote on this poll

How long do you warm up your engine?

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Mar 11, 2008 | 04:45 AM

#196

Koz

Moderator

Joined: Jun 2006

Posts: 2,752

Likes: 28

From: Utah

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jaime55

If you have never tried driving a vehicle that sits outside all night at temps like this than you have no idea. Everyone here, including me, has engine block heater, oil pan heater, battery blanket, etc. but many times cars still don't start. I consider myself lucky enough to have a decent vehicle that I can keep running!

If you have a better suggestion, besides buying a new house with a heated garage, I am all ears.

You are using 0w-20 motor oil?

Koz

Mar 11, 2008 | 10:25 PM

#197

ES3

Lexus Champion

Joined: Jun 2002

Posts: 1,708

Likes: 2

From: SC

Quote:

Originally Posted by lobuxracer

Where are we getting this? The owner's manual. Get in, start, drive away. The only thing it says is "don't race a cold engine." The car is ready to drive as soon as it has adequate oil pressure. That happens in about 5 seconds.

So you wait for 5 seconds before driving?

Mar 12, 2008 | 06:25 AM

#198

nabbun

Lexus Champion

Joined: Apr 2007

Posts: 3,718

Likes: 0

From: NJ

i just wait about 30 seconds to a minute or so until the oil cycles thru the engine couple times then warm up the car driving around for a few minutes. then after everythings warmed up, i have fun.

Mar 15, 2008 | 10:33 PM

#199

LexusIS-TL

Lead Lap

Joined: Feb 2007

Posts: 745

Likes: 1

From: California

It doesn't hurt to take time to warm it up.

Mar 16, 2008 | 09:55 PM

#200

lobuxracer

Tech Resource

iTrader: (2)

Joined: Jul 2006

Posts: 23,078

Likes: 4,745

From: Georgia

Quote:

Originally Posted by TRDCorolla

It doesn't hurt to take time to warm it up.

If you don't mind the humidity inside the engine condensing and sitting on top of your oil with acids from combustion in the water that like to turn oil into gel, then you would be right.

You want to build heat in the engine. You can't build heat in the engine at idle within any reasonable period of time. Drive the thing. It will also move more air through the engine via the PCV system and help remove the humidity before it becomes condensation and works hard to ruin your oil.

Mar 16, 2008 | 09:56 PM

#201

lobuxracer

Tech Resource

iTrader: (2)

Joined: Jul 2006

Posts: 23,078

Likes: 4,745

From: Georgia

Quote:

Originally Posted by ES3

So you wait for 5 seconds before driving?

Somewhere between 5 and 10. Depends on how loud I left the sound before I got out.

Mar 17, 2008 | 07:29 PM

#202

suicidesam

Lexus Test Driver

Joined: Dec 2007

Posts: 1,276

Likes: 0

From: CA

i leave it running while i finish getting ready for work...and don't worry it's parked in a garage.

Mar 17, 2008 | 08:12 PM

#203

elmerrox

Pole Position

Joined: Feb 2008

Posts: 225

Likes: 0

From: ca

by the time i get my seat belt on and change the station, im good to go.

Mar 17, 2008 | 08:19 PM

#204

Gernby

Lexus Champion

iTrader: (1)

Joined: Jul 2006

Posts: 3,844

Likes: 2

From: CA

Quote:

Originally Posted by suicidesam

i leave it running while i finish getting ready for work...and don't worry it's parked in a garage.

Your username says it all!

Jun 24, 2008 | 09:46 AM

#205

LIS350A

Driver

Joined: May 2008

Posts: 182

Likes: 1

From: NY

Quote:

Originally Posted by tgara

Me too. My warmup is the half second or so that it takes my hand to go from the pushbutton starter to the gear lever.

I thought the manual says not to let the car warm up, just start it and go.

Me three.

My foot is on the brake as I step into the car. Press the start button with one hand, close the door with the other. Just as quick, one hand moves to shift, the other on the wheel.

Can't even use the back up camera. I'm in drive before the warning screen passes.

Jun 24, 2008 | 11:31 AM

#206

Traumatic

Driver School Candidate

Joined: Jun 2008

Posts: 7

Likes: 0

From: New Mexico

I just wait till the RPM drops, at least that will give the motor time to get oil flows and transmission components to get pressurized to function and less wear on the gears and engine components.

Dec 7, 2010 | 08:33 AM

#207

MashinA

Lexus Champion

iTrader: (20)

Joined: Sep 2010

Posts: 2,512

Likes: 2

From: FL

Do you let your car warm up before you drive it?

When your car has been sitting there for a day or two and you go to start it do you wait a couple minutes for it to warm up or do you just drive off? I dont know if thats a myth or not, but my dad always tells me i should wait for the engine to warm up.

Here are some more so called car myhts
http://autos.yahoo.com/articles/auto...ar-care-myths/