How long do you let it idle ??
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 6,490
Likes: 716
From: Sausalito CA
You mean at start up cold or hot?
I let the car idle about 45 seconds, put in gear, then drive easy until temps/ tires come up to temp.
My statement is based on my desire for the motor oil to fully fill the passages before driving and varying rpms.
For other times, like traffic lights delays in my area, maybe 3 or 4 minutes idle time.
For auto repairs, as example coolant flush getting to temp, varying time/ rpm, car can be running stationary or idling for 10 maybe 20 minutes.
There is more to be said, but that's my brief answer.
I let the car idle about 45 seconds, put in gear, then drive easy until temps/ tires come up to temp.
My statement is based on my desire for the motor oil to fully fill the passages before driving and varying rpms.
For other times, like traffic lights delays in my area, maybe 3 or 4 minutes idle time.
For auto repairs, as example coolant flush getting to temp, varying time/ rpm, car can be running stationary or idling for 10 maybe 20 minutes.
There is more to be said, but that's my brief answer.
Last edited by Kenny94945; Apr 3, 2019 at 09:45 AM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 792
Likes: 127
From: Dallas Texas
30 seconds-ish
"Modern ECUs will “fast idle” the engine for 10–30 seconds after a cold start and hold that idle until minimum water temp & oil pressure thresholds are reached. You will notice the drop in engine RPM and then vehicle is ready to start normal driving. Idling any longer than that interval is unnecessary."
"Modern ECUs will “fast idle” the engine for 10–30 seconds after a cold start and hold that idle until minimum water temp & oil pressure thresholds are reached. You will notice the drop in engine RPM and then vehicle is ready to start normal driving. Idling any longer than that interval is unnecessary."
Pro
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 660
Likes: 63
From: Fresno CA
Depends on the temp outside. The other day I cold started it (70* outside) and idled for about 30 sec before driving. 2 miles down the road my engine temp was 150* and oil temp was still 80*. Definitely not enough temps to do a pull on the freeway on-ramp IMO. Sounds like a good way to starve your motor of oil.
Racer
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 375
Likes: 31
From: San Antonio TX
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Instructor
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 138
Likes: 9
From: Alabama
If its cool/cold i wait til the water temp needle moves from its resting spot on the gauge. That puts the water temp and oil temp at 100 then drive easy up to operating temps. I do this with all my vehicles.
Racer
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 389
Likes: 34
From: DFW Tx
30 seconds-ish
"Modern ECUs will “fast idle” the engine for 10–30 seconds after a cold start and hold that idle until minimum water temp & oil pressure thresholds are reached. You will notice the drop in engine RPM and then vehicle is ready to start normal driving. Idling any longer than that interval is unnecessary."
"Modern ECUs will “fast idle” the engine for 10–30 seconds after a cold start and hold that idle until minimum water temp & oil pressure thresholds are reached. You will notice the drop in engine RPM and then vehicle is ready to start normal driving. Idling any longer than that interval is unnecessary."
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 12,502
Likes: 3,629
Long enough to press the dash button to get oil temp up on the DIC, then drive away.
Hence don't get on the motor hard (past say 3K RPM's) until the motor oil temp comes up to about 175*.
This allow the different metals in the motor to all heat normize..
Hence don't get on the motor hard (past say 3K RPM's) until the motor oil temp comes up to about 175*.
This allow the different metals in the motor to all heat normize..
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 577
Likes: 34
Good information thanks
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 6,999
Likes: 1,685
From: Southeast TX
It depends on where I am in the oil change cycle. If I've just changed the oil, I'll run the hell out of it just after startup. Just to get more unburned hydrocarbons to blend with the fresh oil. Aids in lubricity.
On the other hand, if I'm at the end of the oil change cycle, I'll let it idle until it's actually time for an oil change. Could take days. Then, I shut it down, do the oil change, and revert back to running the hell out of it just after startup. If it's in the middle of the oil change cycle, I'll add an extra quart of Marvel Mystery Oil and follow the instructions on the MMO can. That's always worked for me....
On the other hand, if I'm at the end of the oil change cycle, I'll let it idle until it's actually time for an oil change. Could take days. Then, I shut it down, do the oil change, and revert back to running the hell out of it just after startup. If it's in the middle of the oil change cycle, I'll add an extra quart of Marvel Mystery Oil and follow the instructions on the MMO can. That's always worked for me....
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 3,996
Likes: 77
From: Louisville KY
It is interesting to me ,an old guy ,how people are so fearful of starting up their vette and driving off. I have my first car a 1968 Camaro, 327, 4 bl, 4 speed, dual exhaust. I ordered it in March of 68 and got it in April of 68, so it is now 51 years old with 205K miles on it. In any weather hot cold wet dry I started it and took off to work. I also used that horrible orange filter called fram. I kept it in perfect shape with tune ups, oil changes, and good preventative maintenance. It is restored and only goes to car shows in dry weather now.
So if our vettes are the most wonderful car, finely engineered, with the newest computer control; why the worry, panic, fear over starting the car and driving off (not blast red line) just normal driving. Synthetic oil is better than the dyno oil used in the 60’s, filters are better, machining is better, there just does not seem to be a justifiable rational for the vette sitting and idling before normal driving off.
I have placed my fully restored flame suit on my old body!
So if our vettes are the most wonderful car, finely engineered, with the newest computer control; why the worry, panic, fear over starting the car and driving off (not blast red line) just normal driving. Synthetic oil is better than the dyno oil used in the 60’s, filters are better, machining is better, there just does not seem to be a justifiable rational for the vette sitting and idling before normal driving off.
I have placed my fully restored flame suit on my old body!
