Driving / operating tips for this car?
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 469
Likes: 0
From: Tallinn (Estonia)
Driving / operating tips for this car?
Hi,
When I watch Top Gear episodes of classic sportscars or some Jay Leno videos, many of these cars have certain operating procedures on how to warm it up, when you are allowed to do any stronger accelerations, when you might not be allowed to use 2nd gear until transmission has reached a certain temperature.
Does a C3 have any such procedures to follow? Most of these cars in the videos have been Italian like Ferraris and Lamborghinis. What's the reason that these cars need so much extra-attention?
Any good tips that you can share to keep the original numbers matching engine of my car in good condition?
Thanks!
When I watch Top Gear episodes of classic sportscars or some Jay Leno videos, many of these cars have certain operating procedures on how to warm it up, when you are allowed to do any stronger accelerations, when you might not be allowed to use 2nd gear until transmission has reached a certain temperature.
Does a C3 have any such procedures to follow? Most of these cars in the videos have been Italian like Ferraris and Lamborghinis. What's the reason that these cars need so much extra-attention?
Any good tips that you can share to keep the original numbers matching engine of my car in good condition?
Thanks!
Racer
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 398
Likes: 0
From: Texas
These cars are 35 years old. You have to keep that in mind when driving. Let the engine warm up in cold weather before you drive off unless you have fuel injection. Allow the car to cool down before shutting off if you have been running it hard. Other than that ............
Drive it like you stole it!!!!!!!
Dusty
Drive it like you stole it!!!!!!!
Dusty
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 3,246
Likes: 4
From: Bay Area CA
These cars are 35 years old. You have to keep that in mind when driving. Let the engine warm up in cold weather before you drive off unless you have fuel injection. Allow the car to cool down before shutting off if you have been running it hard. Other than that ............
Drive it like you stole it!!!!!!!
Dusty
Drive it like you stole it!!!!!!!
Dusty
one caveat,, before stomping in the gas (full pedal) let the engine reach operating tempature,, letting the car warm up about 3 mins in moderate weather before driving it is also a good idea. GM built the car to run and run, no special proceedures besides what's allready been mentioned.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 7,961
Likes: 3,320
From: Omaha NE
2025 c3 ('74-'82) of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2023 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2022 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2020 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
When it's cold I like to crank the motor over until I get oil pressure. Then I'll stop, give a squirt of gas, & she fires right up....
Been doing this since '76...........
..
Been doing this since '76...........
..
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 14,345
Likes: 4
From: Hartselle AL
St. Jude Donor '09
I'm 51 and our '78 SA is 31. In real years, the vet is about in the same shape and condition as me. It takes a bit more "warming up" before going full throttle and isn't quite young enough to run with the big dogs. I treat "her" as I want to be treated. "Our" engines are good to go, but our frames and drive train aren't what they used to be based on age.
However, to quote Toby Keith, "I ain't as good as I once was but, I'm good once as I ever was."
However, to quote Toby Keith, "I ain't as good as I once was but, I'm good once as I ever was."
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Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 469
Likes: 0
From: Tallinn (Estonia)
LOL, that's funny...
Actually some of the Ferraris and other supercars have certain rules which you either follow or destroy something on the car. In one of the Top Gears they said that you can't use 2nd gear until the fluids warm up or the transmission will blow up
It was a Ferrari Daytona.
Actually some of the Ferraris and other supercars have certain rules which you either follow or destroy something on the car. In one of the Top Gears they said that you can't use 2nd gear until the fluids warm up or the transmission will blow up
It was a Ferrari Daytona.
Advanced
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 85
Likes: 0
From: Toronto Ontario
LOL, that's funny...
Actually some of the Ferraris and other supercars have certain rules which you either follow or destroy something on the car. In one of the Top Gears they said that you can't use 2nd gear until the fluids warm up or the transmission will blow up It was a Ferrari Daytona.
Actually some of the Ferraris and other supercars have certain rules which you either follow or destroy something on the car. In one of the Top Gears they said that you can't use 2nd gear until the fluids warm up or the transmission will blow up
It was a Ferrari Daytona.
Advanced
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 85
Likes: 0
From: Toronto Ontario
Lamborghini should have asked Honda for help.
Seriously, that's all I hear these days. Thing is, I wasn't even born in North America (I only reside in Canada) and I will always remain faithful to good ol' American Steel.
Racer
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 445
Likes: 2
From: Thomastown Mississippi
Some very good advice here about allowing the engine to warm up sufficeintly before driving. I honestly believe this is one of the most important things you can do to increase the life of a motor. I let my '77 warm up a minumum of 5 minutes, or more, before I drive it. Same with the outboard motor on my boat. When I see someone launch a boat with a $20,000 outboard on the back, let it idle for 10 seconds, then hammer it, it makes me cringe.
Advanced
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 54
Likes: 0
From: Indianapolis Indiana
I agree!
You know, it seems like you hear stuff like this alot. I get annoyed to no end when I read a review on a new corvette, and they are either ripping on use of plastic in the interior, or something like that, citing it is a $50k car, but make no mention of what you are getting for that money in terms of engine and suspension. Yet, you get a $100k plus sports car, and if it does something that would be completely unacceptable for even a $10k car in terms of reliability, it is called "quirky" and shrugged off!
okay, off my box now
You know, it seems like you hear stuff like this alot. I get annoyed to no end when I read a review on a new corvette, and they are either ripping on use of plastic in the interior, or something like that, citing it is a $50k car, but make no mention of what you are getting for that money in terms of engine and suspension. Yet, you get a $100k plus sports car, and if it does something that would be completely unacceptable for even a $10k car in terms of reliability, it is called "quirky" and shrugged off!
okay, off my box now
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 23,419
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From: In limbo
St. Jude Donor '13-'15, '17 thru '22
These cars were meant to be used as everyday cars, I don't believe there are any special operating procedures. I have read my owner's manual cover to cover, and they don't mention anything in there. I assume that if GM put anything in there that would "blow up" if not treated correctly, they would put the proper treatment in the owner's manual or they would be fixing tens of thousands of cars for free.
Warming up before getting on it is a good idea, but there really is no need to sit for 5 minutes waiting. I start mine and am probably out of the driveway within a minute most times. All the roads around my house are 25 mph and lousy with kids, so driving gently for a few minutes is a requirement. By the time I get out of my neighborhood, the coolant is already starting to get warm and the good performance is just a few miles away.
Warming up before getting on it is a good idea, but there really is no need to sit for 5 minutes waiting. I start mine and am probably out of the driveway within a minute most times. All the roads around my house are 25 mph and lousy with kids, so driving gently for a few minutes is a requirement. By the time I get out of my neighborhood, the coolant is already starting to get warm and the good performance is just a few miles away.
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 15,892
Likes: 42
These cars were meant to be used as everyday cars, I don't believe there are any special operating procedures. I have read my owner's manual cover to cover, and they don't mention anything in there. I assume that if GM put anything in there that would "blow up" if not treated correctly, they would put the proper treatment in the owner's manual or they would be fixing tens of thousands of cars for free.
Warming up before getting on it is a good idea, but there really is no need to sit for 5 minutes waiting. I start mine and am probably out of the driveway within a minute most times. All the roads around my house are 25 mph and lousy with kids, so driving gently for a few minutes is a requirement. By the time I get out of my neighborhood, the coolant is already starting to get warm and the good performance is just a few miles away.
Warming up before getting on it is a good idea, but there really is no need to sit for 5 minutes waiting. I start mine and am probably out of the driveway within a minute most times. All the roads around my house are 25 mph and lousy with kids, so driving gently for a few minutes is a requirement. By the time I get out of my neighborhood, the coolant is already starting to get warm and the good performance is just a few miles away.
It's amazing to read the number of posts where people have convinced themselves that Corvette engines are somehow different or special from the hundred million other bog standard factory production SBC or BBC engines that GM made.Turn the key, start it, put it in gear and drive sensibly. There's NO evidence that all the 'treat it like an exotic' antics will make any difference in durability.
Bubba will be along shortly to argue the point though.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 2,545
Likes: 3
From: 406ci SB, AFR 180 Heads - 490 HP @5,600 RPM 529 lb-ft @ 4,100 RPM
You are so right Mike, I open the garage door, start the car, check oil pressue and fuel gauge, run it for a minute, pull out of the garage, put on sunglasses and drive it. If something breaks, I'll fix it and do the same all over again.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 6,247
Likes: 471
From: Glen Allen, VA
by the time I negotiate the sharp turn to get mine out of the garage, back it out, turn it off to close the gate, (or open it if I didn't do that before starting the car), it's warm enough to drive gently. That said I always watch the temp gauge and dont' let it rip until it's reached full operating temp. I would't sit htere and idle for 5 minutes, just drive it gently at first until it's warmed up. This technique had gotten me almost 210000 miles on my daily driven Jeep so far.
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 4,458
Likes: 331
From: Indy Indiana
I will drive it immediately after starting.. after checking gas and oil pressure...but will nurse it until it warms up... just like any other car.. no engine should see more than 2000 rpm until it is warmed up..
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 5,485
Likes: 7
From: Peekskill NY
I'm with you guys. It's still chilly here and yesterday the fast idle choke was on and drove it right out of the driveway. Sputtered slightly at first on the street, but kept the revs up & it's fine until temp comes up. I don't get on it until it's fully warmed up.
