best way to warm up your car...

[adamc11]

Hi guys...
My understanding was the best way to warm your car up was to let it idle. I generally let it idle until about 1/2 way up the temp gauge then drive it.
But i did some reading online and most people say to drive your car lightly until you hit normal temperature... so what ya think?

[TWOJZ]

I think, that as long as the engine has oil properly circulating, even if its not up to normal operating temp, you can still drive it however you want... may not be running as efficiently, but it shouldn't do any damage still.

[minux]

I let mine idle for 10 seconds, thats only because it takes that long for the garage door to open. After that I light foot until the car is up to temp. You are not meant to let new cars idle for so long, it even says so in your manual.

[Indy_387]

Hi guys...
My understanding was the best way to warm your car up was to let it idle. I generally let it idle until about 1/2 way up the temp gauge then drive it.
But i did some reading online and most people say to drive your car lightly until you hit normal temperature... so what ya think?

Wasting your fuel buddy!

Commodores don't need 'warming up' as such.

If it really bothers you, drive it easy until the temperature moves up slightly.

Just my 2c.

[Full Spectrum]

I like to warm the car slightly 3-5min, Get the car running go back in the house do the underarm spray do the hair, Finish the cuppa, Listen for the car to drop revs that's a few min, Then off i go, But still i wont press the rpm past 2500 until I'm satisfied the car is at running temp, Which is around what i normally see on the gauge after 40min driving thats my mark which is around 2nd white line on temp gauge.
that's the VP and it's older.

With the VT i like to start it warm very slightly for a few moments, Then drive it off the same way as above, This car really doesn't need the TLC as the older motor VP does.
But i still don't mind warm the motor i have all my life and never dropped a motor had to rebuild anything.

[adam69]

**** its not the olden days,get in start it and drive it.

[Ripcell]

i usually give it about 30 seconds to a minute in the mornin, then i drive it lightly till its normal. the douche across the road from my bosses starts it, and takes off so hard in it he actually chirps his mazda pos EVERY morning rofl

[nicko]

when i start my car and the revs go up to 2000 i let the clutch out and get going. Id be lucky to have the motor on for half a second before get moving. No real harsh revs until the temp is atleast 1/4.

[Ripcell]

remember the gauge isnt the whole engine temp tho, only like a 40o window with the usual running temp roughly in the middle, if u run ur dash in diagnostic mode and watch the digital thermometer the actual gauge doesn't move until its at about 70o

usual running temp of the ecotec is 89-95 the thermo fans kick in at 105

[BANKS]

Atm cus its freakin cold, i let it warm up just so i can get some heat coming out, but usually, 5-10 seconds warm up is all it gets

[vztrt]

Let the oil get some circulation, 30 seconds is plenty. Drive lightly till it is at operating temp and then let it rip. The only issue is getting the oil to flow thru the oil filter as during start-up oil will bypass the filter as its too thick. So getting oil with a lower SAE value in the colder areas will help.

[pumba]

i start mine up, wait for it to build up abit of oil pressure then drive off... when its first thing in the morning, and cold, i granny it until it gets up abit on the temp guage then drive normally

[ssvs96]

Start it let it idle for 30 seconds and drive with reservation for 5 or so mins. Most late model cars will not let you have maximum power until it is up to the computers ideal operating temperature and when you stop after a hard run let it idle for a minute before shutdown. Modern oils have better lubrication properties from cold than days of old.

[r_i_d_a_h]

Hi guys...
My understanding was the best way to warm your car up was to let it idle. I generally let it idle until about 1/2 way up the temp gauge then drive it.
But i did some reading online and most people say to drive your car lightly until you hit normal temperature... so what ya think?

haha..if that was the case with my VS i'd be sitting on my driveway for at LEAST 8 mins just to wait for the temp gauge to reach half way on a cold morning

i just pull it out of my car hole let it idle whilst i go lock up everything and by the time i get back in to buckle up, my car is ready to go

[Zuicider]

another way is pour sum fuel in the oil to thin it out and when it gets hotter the fuel evapourates they did that i like men in world war 2 in the planes

[VH commodore]

another way is pour sum fuel in the oil to thin it out and when it gets hotter the fuel evapourates they did that i like men in world war 2 in the planes

haha sounded like u just randomly put i like men in there cuz it makes more sense if u take that bit out lol

[stocky]

haha sounded like u just randomly put i like men in there cuz it makes more sense if u take that bit out lol

hahaha i agree. thought it sounded a bit weird

[PaRaDoX]

maybe he likes men?, its ok to admit it, stocky likes men aswell...

[stocky]

maybe he likes men?, its ok to admit it, stocky likes men aswell...

no but you keep dreaming. it aint gonna happen. go find yourself another guy gordon

[CSP]

Like most have said, modern cars don't need "warm up" time before being driven. Just light foot it until you get some temp into the engine. I usually see the oil temp above 20 degrees within 2km of light foot driving.

[Zuicider]

bah i was drunk that must have been evilmonkey, bastard, anyway another old way they use to use on planes was light a fire under the sump for a few moments, maybe they should develop a sump warmer

[CSP]

No need to develop a sump warmer. They already need engine warmers in places like Canada and Alaska So stuff like that already exists if you're worried.

[Burniehoon]

I normally just let it idol for about 2 or 3 mins i find that if i don't it doesn't like to change gears and revs a lot higher.

[Cobez]

I let mine idle for 2 - 3 minutes while i sit in my garage and eat my toast i make on my way out the door. Then i drive it easy until it's she is at normal driving temp, and then drive normally.

[dippa28]

that would look good lighting a fire under your sumop in your garage lol they used to only do that in freezing temps