Safe Warm Up?
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 3,830
Likes: 3
From: Granada Hills CA
Originally Posted by George8211
I try to let mine idle for a few minutes before I drive it.... I like to see the water temp gauge moving before I do any hard driving or high revs. I like to know the valve springs are warmed and ready.
As far as the opinions from members from Texas, South Carolina, Alabama, Arizona go....
As if you know what we're talking about
Michigan... Current temp 2 degrees F
BRRRRRRRRRR
As far as the opinions from members from Texas, South Carolina, Alabama, Arizona go....
As if you know what we're talking about
Michigan... Current temp 2 degrees F
BRRRRRRRRRRI can tell you for a fact that at 2 degrees I won't be going anywhere period. In fact I hope the only time I'm that cold is after I'm in the box. When it was 25 degrees here and I started the Vette the oil temp was 59 degrees and I literally felt pain at the thought.
I'm amazed at the technology that allows oils to flow and work at that temperatures effectively!
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 816
Likes: 0
From: peabody ma
Originally Posted by EnglandGreen
I'm "Old School".
I let it warm up to operating temps (over 160) and then slowly move off. Wait till A4 and tires warm up before getting on it hard.
Cheaper than breaking something (like a dropped valve or ring land)
My 2 cents
EG
I let it warm up to operating temps (over 160) and then slowly move off. Wait till A4 and tires warm up before getting on it hard.
Cheaper than breaking something (like a dropped valve or ring land)
My 2 cents
EG
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 3,427
Likes: 2
From: Fountain Inn, South Carolina
Take a close look at the option list when looking at new vehicles. You may see an option called an oil warmer. This option is some times selected by people in the Northern part of the U.S.... and in Canada.
It's a heating element that goes into your engine and has a plug-in cord behind the front grill. You plug in when you get home and it heats the oil to keep it from getting too cold
So if you ever see an extention cord looking thing sticking out the front of someones front grill.... you'll know what it's for.
Most of my family lives in Northern MN near International Falls.... last night -22F.
It's a heating element that goes into your engine and has a plug-in cord behind the front grill. You plug in when you get home and it heats the oil to keep it from getting too cold
So if you ever see an extention cord looking thing sticking out the front of someones front grill.... you'll know what it's for.
Most of my family lives in Northern MN near International Falls.... last night -22F.
Race Director
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 16,667
Likes: 1,209
From: Raleigh, NC
St. Jude Donor '15
Slightly off subject. but someone posted last week asking if the climate control and DIC gauge could display negative numbers. This morning it was like negative 5 (celsius) and both gauges show negative numbers...
and to add to this disucssion, I let it idle for a few minutes but not long really and took it easy, the engine wasn't even up to 150 degrees when i got to where i was doing--talk about a cold ride!!
and to add to this disucssion, I let it idle for a few minutes but not long really and took it easy, the engine wasn't even up to 150 degrees when i got to where i was doing--talk about a cold ride!!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 2,819
Likes: 1
From: Toledo Ohio
CI 6-7-8-9 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '07
Hey
I like to wait for over 100 engine oil but take it easy till trans temp is at 100. I have a 25mph neighborhood that I drive through to get to faster roads. Low RPM's and easy starts and stops. "0" degrees today-took long time to warm up. Tires only came up 2lbs after driving about 25mi.
I keep trans temp on and watch it most of the time. Works for me.
I like to wait for over 100 engine oil but take it easy till trans temp is at 100. I have a 25mph neighborhood that I drive through to get to faster roads. Low RPM's and easy starts and stops. "0" degrees today-took long time to warm up. Tires only came up 2lbs after driving about 25mi.
I keep trans temp on and watch it most of the time. Works for me.
Race Director
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 16,667
Likes: 1,209
From: Raleigh, NC
St. Jude Donor '15
I seem to have NO traction in this super cold weather. Last night I bearly tapped the gas while making a turn at an intersection (with traction control off hehe) and about slid around 180 degrees, oops 
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 557
Likes: 0
From: Gaithersburg MD
BE CAREFUL!!!!!!!!
With the cold air flow and the rock hard runflats it's too easy to get squirrley
With the cold air flow and the rock hard runflats it's too easy to get squirrley
Originally Posted by schpenxel
I seem to have NO traction in this super cold weather. Last night I bearly tapped the gas while making a turn at an intersection (with traction control off hehe) and about slid around 180 degrees, oops
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Originally Posted by RocketDawg
I'd always been taught that you start it up and get it moving as soon as possible ... don't let it sit there idling. Just drive it slowly until it's up to operating temperature.
Not sure that's the proper thing to do, but it's what I've always done.
Not sure that's the proper thing to do, but it's what I've always done.
This is the way I drive mine also.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 1,067
Likes: 3
From: Lost in the Pine Barrens with only ketchup and relish packs, New Jersey
I think I may have started a thread like this about a month ago and what I took away from the quality replies was that Coolant Temp was a preferred indicator over Oil Temp. It was 14' this morning and I took it easy until the Coolant Temp was around 150... Having it in the garage is key- probably not any colder than 45-50 degrees...
Race Director
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 19,459
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From: Schaumburg IL
CI 7-8-9-11 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '06-'10, '13
Maybe it is okay to start it and go so long as you take it easy at first, but there is no way anyone is going to convince me that letting it warm up at idle for a while is bad.
I have read many times in different places where the most wear and tear in an engine occurs upon start up..so how can letting the car idle and warm up not be good. Doesn't metal expand and contract with hot and cold?
I have read many times in different places where the most wear and tear in an engine occurs upon start up..so how can letting the car idle and warm up not be good. Doesn't metal expand and contract with hot and cold?
Race Director
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 13,733
Likes: 66
From: Hurst, TX USA
Originally Posted by George8211
As far as the opinions from members from Texas, South Carolina, Alabama, Arizona go....
When it's -26 warming up the tranny, tires, even the suspension is just as important and you don't get that idling in the garage... So you have a nice warm engine and you hammer it only to pick up your tranny off the road.
Former Vendor
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 10,876
Likes: 8
From: Las Vegas NV
St. Jude Donor '06 & '12
Originally Posted by George8211
Most of my family lives in Northern MN near International Falls.... last night -22F.
Looking out of my office window I think I see a cloud... 
For what its worth I'm glad this thread came up cause I always waited until my coolant temp went above 100 for the first time this morning I waited till the oil went above 100.
But that was only about 2 minutes cause it was 97 when I started the car.
Race Director
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 16,667
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From: Raleigh, NC
St. Jude Donor '15
(insert middle finger smilie here )
It was around 70 last Friday when I woke up (8am) by 11am it was down to the 40's and hasn't went back up since. Damn cold fronts.
)It was around 70 last Friday when I woke up (8am) by 11am it was down to the 40's and hasn't went back up since. Damn cold fronts.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 3,427
Likes: 2
From: Fountain Inn, South Carolina
Originally Posted by AMERICAN_HP
Boy do I feel your guys pain. I got in my car this morning and it was 67 degrees outside. I "Almost" got cold. Looking out of my office window I think I see a cloud...
Looking out of my office window I think I see a cloud... Try this one.... About two years ago it was like -45 in International Fall MN and high winds. My dad his his 4x4 parked outside over night and snow and ice hardened around his tires. He went to drive off and blew both of his rear tires because of the cold.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 3,495
Likes: 0
From: Paducah Ky
High here today was about 30. Went for a ride around 2 pm and when I started it up I got LOW on oil temp. First time I got this. I let it idle in garage, (with door up) for about 10 minutes b/4 leaving. Still had LOW on oil temp, turned off and reading did not go away. Coolant was around 170 so I know oil was ok. Made a short stop while I was out and when I restarted I finally got reading. Did a search on this when I got home and apparently it's normal. Don't know how necessary warming up really is, but on this ride it will be warmed up several minutes b/4 I take off when it's cold.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 9,917
Likes: 1,878
From: Hot Springs AR
Originally Posted by FrankTank
Maybe it is okay to start it and go so long as you take it easy at first, but there is no way anyone is going to convince me that letting it warm up at idle for a while is bad.
I have read many times in different places where the most wear and tear in an engine occurs upon start up..so how can letting the car idle and warm up not be good. Doesn't metal expand and contract with hot and cold?
I have read many times in different places where the most wear and tear in an engine occurs upon start up..so how can letting the car idle and warm up not be good. Doesn't metal expand and contract with hot and cold?
What I do is 2-part: Normally I wait until the idle and oil pressure have stabilized, then move out slowly. If it's REALLY cold then I wait until I can stand sitting in the car! Yeah, call me a wimp! When it comes to cold, that's me!
Have a good one,
Mike
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 3,996
Likes: 77
From: Louisville KY
I realize that I am an old guy (60) and that I have driven a few cars in my life. I have never WOT a cold car of any type. I also have never let a car sit and idle to warm it up. I normally and easily until I get to the interstate and then go the speed limit plus. I sold my 1997 Z-28 Camaro when I bought my 2003 Vette. I had 89,000 on the Z-28 and never a problem and it used regular oil not the synthic oil of the Vette. I believe that too many people are afraid to use and drive the cars normally. Our Vettes are the ultimate driving machine not a weak under developed and under engineered machine. My is my only car and my daily driver. It is a real joy to be in every day.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 1,146
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From: The Internet
I've a question for those that are agonising about when it's safe to drive their cars.
Did, or do, you have this consideration on your previous or other vehicles? If not, why not and how many of those cars died a gruesome death? Any at all?
Did, or do, you have this consideration on your previous or other vehicles? If not, why not and how many of those cars died a gruesome death? Any at all?