Question about car warming up from a newbie
 

Hello All,

I have a question for you. Every morning, before driving into work, I go out to the garage and start my VX. I let it warm up for anywhere from 3 to 5 minutes before driving 4 street miles and 15 freeway miles to work.

Obviously this does not help my MPG but is it worth doing for the long-term health of my car?

I live in Southern California and keep the car in the garage so it is never super cold.

Thanks!
BE3350

Re: Question about car warming up from a newbie
 

you need not warm up so long. try this...

start the car, then put your seat belt on, open the garage, and go. keep the rpms relatively low for the first mile or so. also, a good synthetic oil will help at start up with lube. i like 0w30.

Re: Question about car warming up from a newbie
 

I never warm up my vehicles. I start the vehicle, and let it idle for 10-20 seconds, and then I leave. If you must have the engine warmed up, get a block heater.

Re: Question about car warming up from a newbie
 

I literally get in the car and go. I do the seatbelt and all that other stuff before I crank it. it sits cranked for less than a second before I go.

I will say that in the winter I do crank it and let it idle just so I can see out of the windshield.

I can't say that this is good for my engine but I usually keep the rpm's pretty low before I leave the subdivision as well so maybe that helps

Re: Question about car warming up from a newbie
 

I like to let it run for 5-10 seconds just to make sure oil is fully flowing before I drive.

Re: Question about car warming up from a newbie
 

I use a block heater even during the summer months. Start wait about ten seconds for good oil flow and go.

Re: Question about car warming up from a newbie
 

Owner's Manuals (YES! They DO exist! :eek: ) usually say to start it and take right off. Googling the topic also reveals bodies of knowledge that say prolonged idling for "warming up" is a poor way to warm up and actually creates MORE wear because driving it straight off warms it up so much faster, not to mention that the idling creates excess emissions and burns fuel.

Besides, you are in CA and do not even know what "cold" is.

Re: Question about car warming up from a newbie
 

LA? Yeah, you don't ever have to worry about warming up the car. Heck, in the dead of winter it rarely drops below 45, I bet. Nothing to worry about. Start it up, and go. Heck, I start it up and go in my car in the winter, in sub zero temperatures. If you're worried, be light on the throttle for the first few miles.

Re: Question about car warming up from a newbie
 

Ding, ding...ding.:thumbup:

Re: Question about car warming up from a newbie
 

I think it could be described as: Start car, nothing broken?; okay drive. :D

I do agree about 'taking it easy' on the throttle for the first mile/minute or so of actual driving, when first starting in cooler weather. Summer time shouldn't be a problem.