Does Engine Warm-up Hurt or Help?
Thread Starter
CorvetteForum Editor
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 520
Likes: 145
Does Engine Warm-up Hurt or Help?
There are some folks that believe warming up your car longer than a few minutes can actually damage it.
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Instructor
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 125
Likes: 8
From: Magalia California
I noticed not one word about tolerances being achieved,I always thought THAT was the most important aspect.....10 minutes folks.....it's better to give the time it takes for operating temperature to be achieved .....COZ....everything fits better. Zappa
Intermediate
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 36
Likes: 6
From: Joplin Missouri
I wonder why GM started selling a remote start systems on these vehicles? I will always run my vehicles 5 to 10 min, before operating. I have been turning a wrench since I was 15 or so.
Last edited by mwmanley; Jan 16, 2017 at 01:56 PM.
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 4,980
Likes: 3,826
From: Bainbridge Island WA
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Racer
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 466
Likes: 31
From: Jacksonville FL
I don't idle the engine for warm up but I also don't get on the throttle too hard till the oil temp reaches about 140 degrees. with that being said my Vette lives in a garage in Florida so maybe I am not the target audience. not much snow and icy conditions to worry about. 
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 991
Likes: 88
From: SW Ohio
So here's the thing: warming up an engine is a good thing. But, the best way to warm up an engine is to drive it; gently until your oil/engine temp comes close to specs. Then drive it as you like. Letting a cold engine idle to warm up doesn't really warm it up. Only driving it warms it up. All that idling a cold engine does is let the cold engine run longer before warming up. That's not good.
Of course, this is JMO, YMMV.
Of course, this is JMO, YMMV.
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 4,446
Likes: 314
From: Tarpon Springs FL
FL Events Coordinator
It's been accepted practice to drive off slowly while your engine is cold and let it warm up under a load for many years now....As a Boat owner for over 48 yrs I can tell you that Idling a engine without a load on it is BAD...especially in cold weather.....And pray tell how do you put a load on it at the dock....glad you asked....you make sure your mooring lines are in good shape and you put your boat in gear at the dock while in idle.
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 25,583
Likes: 16,942
It's best thing for today's modern engines is to be started and immediately driven away slowly.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 5,841
Likes: 19
From: CLT, North Carolina
Sealed Power tested this many years ago and reported most internal engine wear occurs during the warm up period and tapers off to near zero at operating temperature. They recommended getting up to operating temp as quickly as possible by driving the car though with some moderation for the first few minutes.
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 4,548
Likes: 609
From: Southeast, WI
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 4,548
Likes: 609
From: Southeast, WI
Sealed Power tested this many years ago and reported most internal engine wear occurs during the warm up period and tapers off to near zero at operating temperature. They recommended getting up to operating temp as quickly as possible by driving the car though with some moderation for the first few minutes.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 2,672
Likes: 852
From: New Jersey
I don't think there is any hard evidence to support any opinion on this........but being green does encourage you to not idle your engine.......but being green might ignore whats best for the longevity of your engine.......
Tech Contributor
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 41,066
Likes: 9,834
From: Charlotte, NC (formerly Endicott, NY)
So here's the thing: warming up an engine is a good thing. But, the best way to warm up an engine is to drive it; gently until your oil/engine temp comes close to specs. Then drive it as you like. Letting a cold engine idle to warm up doesn't really warm it up. Only driving it warms it up. All that idling a cold engine does is let the cold engine run longer before warming up. That's not good.
Of course, this is JMO, YMMV.
Of course, this is JMO, YMMV.
It's been accepted practice to drive off slowly while your engine is cold and let it warm up under a load for many years now....As a Boat owner for over 48 yrs I can tell you that Idling a engine without a load on it is BAD...especially in cold weather.....And pray tell how do you put a load on it at the dock....glad you asked....you make sure your mooring lines are in good shape and you put your boat in gear at the dock while in idle.
Bill
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 49,475
Likes: 3,963
From: Best Island in the U.S.
St. Jude Donor '12 thru '17
Yup, lots of good objective evidence of what's best. Unfortunately, like oil change intervals, E10 and a few other topics some will never accept evidence or facts and continue to rely on gut feelings and bad info.