Do you warm up your car?
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 295
Likes: 0
From: Possumcountry USA
Here's several references that seem to suggest 30 - 60 seconds is plenty....
http://www.popularmechanics.com/auto...o/4213313.html
http://www.yins.ns.ca/tips/tip40a.htm
http://www.co.thurston.wa.us/health/...gineIdling.pdf
http://www.boston.com/cars/chats/archive/09_15.html
http://en.allexperts.com/q/Saturn-797/Warming-car.htm
http://www.hyundai.co.in/betterdrivi...name=customers
http://www.popularmechanics.com/auto...o/4213313.html
http://www.yins.ns.ca/tips/tip40a.htm
http://www.co.thurston.wa.us/health/...gineIdling.pdf
http://www.boston.com/cars/chats/archive/09_15.html
http://en.allexperts.com/q/Saturn-797/Warming-car.htm
http://www.hyundai.co.in/betterdrivi...name=customers
Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
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From: Dear Karma, I have a list of people you missed.
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16
there is no need to idle for 10 minutes or to get the car up to temperature if one is just driving away...Just start it, let the idle settle, let the oil pressure come up and drive it...
BUT if you are planning to mash the pedal to the floor... you should let it warm up to normal operating temperatures first..
BUT if you are planning to mash the pedal to the floor... you should let it warm up to normal operating temperatures first..
NO frisky driving until oil temp is up at least in the 150* range. Coolant heats up much faster than oil temps.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 2,787
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From: center of Kalifornia
Another good reason is they can get stolen when you go in the house, even for a minute. I work for an insurance company and we see it all the time in the cold months. In the summer people go to a 7 11 and get a soda and leave the AC on to keep it cool and bye bye there goes the car. 
Pro
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 532
Likes: 1
From: Virginia Beach Virginia
Lets get something correct here. It may not be a "must" according to some people on this board but I would highly recomend it. Is your schedule that busy where you cannot factor in an extra 10 minutes to ensure that your vehicle is properly at its operating temperatures?
Now it IS a MUST if you have a CAMMED car. Normally if someone has put an aftermarket cam in their car they have replaced the valve springs. Normally these aftermarket valve springs are stiffer than stock ones. They are also more brittle at startup then factory springs.
Now it IS a MUST if you have a CAMMED car. Normally if someone has put an aftermarket cam in their car they have replaced the valve springs. Normally these aftermarket valve springs are stiffer than stock ones. They are also more brittle at startup then factory springs.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 3,021
Likes: 133
From: Conejo Valley CA
I once asked this very same question to Andy at A&A Corvettes and I hope I am recalling his answer correctly. But whether I am or not, this is what I do and it makes sense...
- Once the oil temperature goes above 150 F, the car is suitably warmed up for more aggressive driving.
- Until 150 F oil temperature, try to not to exceed 2000 RPM.
- Once the oil temperature goes above 150 F, the car is suitably warmed up for more aggressive driving.
- Until 150 F oil temperature, try to not to exceed 2000 RPM.
Last edited by Z06ster; May 16, 2007 at 04:41 PM. Reason: grammar
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 10,783
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From: Hurricane Alley
Lets get something correct here. It may not be a "must" according to some people on this board but I would highly recomend it. Is your schedule that busy where you cannot factor in an extra 10 minutes to ensure that your vehicle is properly at its operating temperatures?
Now it IS a MUST if you have a CAMMED car. Normally if someone has put an aftermarket cam in their car they have replaced the valve springs. Normally these aftermarket valve springs are stiffer than stock ones. They are also more brittle at startup then factory springs.
Now it IS a MUST if you have a CAMMED car. Normally if someone has put an aftermarket cam in their car they have replaced the valve springs. Normally these aftermarket valve springs are stiffer than stock ones. They are also more brittle at startup then factory springs.
My car is cammed and I have never had a problem with starting it and driving it without warming up first. Again I do not get on it, I do wait until its warmed up before I drive aggressively. Its been over two years now since I put the cam in it and no problems what so ever. I could be wrong but that makes no sense that aftermarket valve springs are more brittle than stock ones.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 5,683
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From: Houston Texas
I usually let mine warm up to 130°F oil temp and stay around 2500rpm. Once past that it's go time. This is with my cam and 918 springs.
When I was stock, it was get in, fire it up, and hammer down.
I'd venture to say that GM intended worst case usage of these cars and considered WOT at cold engine temps...I may be wrong though.
When I was stock, it was get in, fire it up, and hammer down.
I'd venture to say that GM intended worst case usage of these cars and considered WOT at cold engine temps...I may be wrong though.
Pro
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 532
Likes: 1
From: Virginia Beach Virginia
My car is cammed and I have never had a problem with starting it and driving it without warming up first. Again I do not get on it, I do wait until its warmed up before I drive aggressively. Its been over two years now since I put the cam in it and no problems what so ever. I could be wrong but that makes no sense that aftermarket valve springs are more brittle than stock ones.
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From: Hurricane Alley
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 3,996
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From: Louisville KY
I am 63 years old. I have started cars and driven off gently for years and years. No hard starts, no full go pedal to the floor. I let the temp come up before any hard push on the go pedal.
Letting a car idle for 5 to 10 minutes is almost one of the most silly ideas I have ever heard. Now unless you live where it is -40 degrees, then a warm up period would be proper otherwise it is totally a crazy idea.
Letting a car idle for 5 to 10 minutes is almost one of the most silly ideas I have ever heard. Now unless you live where it is -40 degrees, then a warm up period would be proper otherwise it is totally a crazy idea.
Team Owner
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From: I have no tolerence for liberals and fools, but sometimes i repeat myself
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St. Jude Donor '08
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CI 3-5-7-8-9 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '08
My car is cammed and I have never had a problem with starting it and driving it without warming up first. Again I do not get on it, I do wait until its warmed up before I drive aggressively. Its been over two years now since I put the cam in it and no problems what so ever. I could be wrong but that makes no sense that aftermarket valve springs are more brittle than stock ones.
Race Director
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From: Hurricane Alley
Race Director
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From: Newberry FL
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St. Jude Donor '07
I let mine warm up a bit in the morning just to get the oil temp up a little after it has had one heat cycle I will typically just start it up and allow the rpm idle settle and drive. Now, I do have 918 springs in my car and I don't care what anyone writes, I will take it easy until the car is at operating temperature before I beat my cammed car with those springs in it.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
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From: Danville Virginia
there is no need to idle for 10 minutes or to get the car up to temperature if one is just driving away...Just start it, let the idle settle, let the oil pressure come up and drive it...
BUT if you are planning to mash the pedal to the floor... you should let it warm up to normal operating temperatures first..
BUT if you are planning to mash the pedal to the floor... you should let it warm up to normal operating temperatures first..
Chuck
Pro
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 538
Likes: 2
From: Beaverton OR
there is no need to idle for 10 minutes or to get the car up to temperature if one is just driving away...Just start it, let the idle settle, let the oil pressure come up and drive it...
BUT if you are planning to mash the pedal to the floor... you should let it warm up to normal operating temperatures first..
BUT if you are planning to mash the pedal to the floor... you should let it warm up to normal operating temperatures first..