Do we need to allow our cars to warm up (idle for about a minute) before driving off, when the car is cold in the morning, or at other times? Just curious as to what the members of this forum do.

I ride a motorcycle for which warm-up on idle is a must, before riding off. This is to allow for the oil to circulate (wet clutch, etc.).

Do cars with tech as modern as the 3IS need a warm-up? I do warm it whereas my wife (RX) does not.

 

Well, I can only tell you what i do and that is, I drive off. But I keep the RPM's very low and drive slow.

 

I let my IS250 warm up about three minutes before driving in the winter.
Engine is smoother this way.

 

They said about 1 minute, but first 10 minute of driving take it easy and let it warm up.

 

I wait 30 seconds, then drive off in low RPMs. As the oil temp goes up, I can step on the throttle a little bit more aggressively until it's finally fully warmed up. Then I can have some fun =D



On a cold winters day when the car is left outside overnight, I would do 1 minute instead. Then do the same as above ^^^^^^

 

^^There is no need for warming up unless you are driving full throttle or at high rpm.

most cars idles at 1.5k or 2k at start up, so as long as you keep at low rpm for few minutes on the road then you are good.