When is the engine warmed up?

[Paradox-db3]

With colder weather approaching (in Canada), I usually wait until my vehicle's coolant temperature is at least 30 degrees Celsius before driving away. But there isn't a temperature gauge on the Sonic (and perhaps many newer vehicles). Lately, I've been waiting until the engine's RPM starts to slow down to just under 1000 RPMs. What other way is there to know when the engine is warmed up?

 

[bob67]

I wish I had a temp gauge too to monitor engine in summer for waiting in a parking lot with ac on

 

[ChrisJ]

Thats about all I do and all I have ever done.
Wait until the tach drops and then take it easy on the car for a bit. If its really cold out, say 0F or colder I'd let it idle for 5-10 minutes before driving off.


Bob I wouldn't be too concerned about overheating. The computer won't let the A/C cause damage and I doubt its a concern at all below 100F ambient.

 

[SouthFLSonic]

I wish I had a temp gauge too to monitor engine in summer for waiting in a parking lot with ac on

Get an Ultragauge, they give you about 106 interchangeable gauges for our car and you can set them up how ever you desire.

Here's a pic.

Not my car but I have it mounted in about same spot and it works beautifully.

 

[darkness]

This has been one annoyance of mine - or just something to get used to. The lack of gauges is sort of liberating in a way, but a hindrance in others. That's probably the gauge I miss the most. I don't want to hammer on it too hard until it's warmed up, or start blasting the heat. We're just left to our in devices in this respect I suppose.

 

[SouthFLSonic]

This has been one annoyance of mine - or just something to get used to. The lack of gauges is sort of liberating in a way, but a hindrance in others. That's probably the gauge I miss the most. I don't want to hammer on it too hard until it's warmed up, or start blasting the heat. We're just left to our in devices in this respect I suppose.

Again, get an Ultragauge it displays Eng. temp as shown in my post above and they cost like $60. Price and what it does for the price can not be beat!!!

 

[bob67]

only $60? take my money.... where can i get one ? is it just a plug-in ?

 

[SouthFLSonic]

UltraGauge OBDII Scan tool & Information Center

Plugs into the OBDII port under the dash. All you really need to do is set tank size and motor size and what gauges you want to see any of the seven available pages to set up. I can send better pics of my set up when I leave here if you's like?

 

[sx sonic]

Plus 1 for the UltraGauge.

On a 40 degree F day it takes the Sonic about 10 mins to get to full operating temp (220F)

 

[Chrish051873]

Plus 1 for the UltraGauge.

On a 40 degree F day it takes the Sonic about 10 mins to get to full operating temp (220F)

Or 200 F if tuned.

But I always let it idle until the car goes into " closed loop" on the ultragauge

 

[ss2000slp]

Another + 1 for the Ultragauge. Cheap, easy to set up, and very useful.

 

[$ub$onic]

Another + 1 for the Ultragauge. Cheap, easy to set up, and very useful.

+2

 

[Luv2xlr8]

I'm in Toronto Canada and this is the main reason I bought the UG for. Another thing that came in handy is that it shows when you have a check engine light what code it is. I just recently had codes P0171 and P0597.

It's really worth the money.

 

[bob67]

I like the fact ic can go into another car too ... think i need one...

 

[ChrisJ]

Or 200 F if tuned.

But I always let it idle until the car goes into " closed loop" on the ultragauge

How long does that take on a 10F day?!

Waiting for closed loop in the winter? Aint nobody got time for that! Though I'll admit, the only cars I ever watched that closely didn't have heated O2 sensors and took forever even driving so maybe a modern car is much faster. I think on a cold day you had to drive several miles for it to go into closed loop.


On another note, my boss drives a late 90s Mercedes SUV that he has owned since new and now has 170K miles on it and I watch him everyday start it and pretty much floor it out of the parking lot ice cold. Somehow it still runs great. I've got a feeling if I ever did that to a car it would die in a week. Perhaps "warming up" is over rated and died with carburetors.

 

[Chrish051873]

How long does that take on a 10F day?!

Waiting for closed loop in the winter? Aint nobody got time for that! Though I'll admit, the only cars I ever watched that closely didn't have heated O2 sensors and took forever even driving so maybe a modern car is much faster. I think on a cold day you had to drive several miles for it to go into closed loop.

It usually goes into closed loop just after the idle kicks down, so on the 10F day, i would say between 2-5 minutes.

 

[ChrisJ]

It usually goes into closed loop just after the idle kicks down, so on the 10F day, i would say between 2-5 minutes.

That's not too bad I suppose.
A lot faster than a system with non-heated O2 sensors for sure.

 

[sx sonic]

Yea modern fuel injected engines switch over pretty quick. OEMs have invested alot into getting the O2 sensor up to temp as fast as possible and the ECU into closed loop mode ASAP.

 

[trollbait]

Perhaps "warming up" is over rated and died with carburetors.

Pretty much.

Car manufacturers have been working under the assumption that most people do what that Mercedes driver does, so waiting for complete warm up isn't going to hurt anything. The engine will warm up faster if driven soon after start up. Taking it easy is a good idea vs. racing off though.

 

[chivalryder]

I drive off as soon as the engine is done turning over. It's the recommended way to get the engine warmed up by manufacturers and mechanics I've spoken to.

My personal opinion: It's great to get the engine warmed up and all, but a) engines don't like to idle, and b) what about your transmission? Idling won't warm up your transmission.