Warm up
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 3,163
Likes: 686
From: SUFFIELD CONNECTICUT
Manual transmissions spin during warm up and transmission fluid circulates in auto transmissions during warm up.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 6,486
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From: Las Vegas NV
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 6,485
Likes: 713
From: Sausalito CA
Here's my opinion.
Start car wait for oil to circulate throughout the engine...maybe 30 seconds.
Drive off, use low rpm, until engine is at operating temperature.
Then note your tires may still be "cold" and with street traffic may take 10 miles to warm.
I have no comment about warming the trans and diff oil as I make the assumption once tires are warm so are all the mechanical.
So there you go an opinion.
Start car wait for oil to circulate throughout the engine...maybe 30 seconds.
Drive off, use low rpm, until engine is at operating temperature.
Then note your tires may still be "cold" and with street traffic may take 10 miles to warm.
I have no comment about warming the trans and diff oil as I make the assumption once tires are warm so are all the mechanical.
So there you go an opinion.
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 1,872
Likes: 333
From: Olmsted Falls Ohio
St. Jude Donor '12 thru '24
Start, adjust seat if necessary, buckle up, check mirrors, then drive off. I keep the engine under 2500 rpm until oil temp reaches 160. If cold out I wait a little longer until the shifts are no longer stiff on the manual cars.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 41,037
Likes: 9,801
From: Charlotte, NC (formerly Endicott, NY)
I disagree. All modern cars are designed to start it up and move it out. As long as you take it easy, you won't hurt anything and it actually warms up faster, which is better for the engine and transmission both.
Having it sit and idle until warm does nothing for the tranny, differential, etc.
Having it sit and idle until warm does nothing for the tranny, differential, etc.
It has nothing to do with the environment.
Now if the car is covered with a foot of snow you clear a path to open the door so a boat load of snow doesn't fall into the car, start the engine, get your snow brush, clean the rest of the car and then fasten belt and drive off.
Of course this only happens when it is 10 degrees or less, your gloves fell out of your coat pocket, you don't have the proper shoes or coat on and the wind is blowing at 20 mph resulting in you freezing your butt off. Then you have the fun ride home.
Bill
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Drifting
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 1,519
Likes: 431
From: MI
As others have said, start it and drive it. The dry sump engines will take a bit longer to come up to temperature due to the greater volume of oil. So it will take a bit longer for the yellow to disappear from the tachometer.
Last edited by Boiler_81; Dec 16, 2016 at 12:08 PM. Reason: spelling
Le Mans Master
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From: Lake Havasu City Arizona
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2012
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From: SUFFIELD CONNECTICUT
Team Owner
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From: Calgary, AB. There's a reason why white was the only color offered on every year Corvette. Proud Canadian German Jamaican!
St. Jude Donor '09, '12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17
on a cold start (overnight) I wait 30 seconds, by the time I put on my seatbelt, get comfortable, play with the stereo, I'm good to go.
If it's already been warmed up, I just wait about 10.
If it's already been warmed up, I just wait about 10.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2013
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From: Calgary Alberta
Race Director
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 13,275
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From: Bluffton SC via Canton Oh
Sometimes common sense is your best source. Starting her up and idling for say 30 seconds and gently moving out is probably best. Hammering a cold car is a short term thrill when the premature wear catches up. Works for cars and women.
Watch your oil temperature gauge and see how much longer it takes for the oil to come up in cold weather. Takes a long time to get 10 gts of oil up to temp.
Watch your oil temperature gauge and see how much longer it takes for the oil to come up in cold weather. Takes a long time to get 10 gts of oil up to temp.