Engine Warm Up

[Bogus]

With my new 2 mile commute it is rare (if at all) that my engine reaches operating temp by the time I reach my destination. I usually let my engine idle to around 100º before taking off and I will drive easy until around 140º-160º.

My questions for you all:
-Is there an appropriate temp that we should let our engine warm up to before driving?
-Should I let it reach a certain temp before driving normal? And before driving hard?
-Is it harmful to my drive train to not reach operating temps before shutting off on a daily basis?

I've been told with our computer controlled cars that this does not matter anymore. Not like the days of carburetors. That the computer takes care of everything and essentially as soon as your idle drops from initial start up you are good to go.

Opinions and facts below!

 

[$ub$onic]

You should at least wait till the high idle is done before moving and on a daily bases it can hurt it over time . As long as you go for a good run every 2 weeks or so to bake the condensation out your engine will be happy. With consistent short runs moisture can collect inside the engine and go to the oil

 

[sx sonic]

Subs got it. You can take off immediately but keep the RPMs low and stay light on the throttle until over 100F. After that you can run it harder I personally don't run an engine hard until reaching about 3/4 operating temp (160), the reason being is certain components see Way more heat than others and expand much faster, running hard immediately exasperates the variances in expansion and hhas in the past caused seizeing of certain parts (metalurgy and clearences have come a long way so catastrophic failures unlikely but increased wear is likely).

The way your letting your car warm up a bit is good for longevity, its tanking your MPG but what's more important too you in the long run?

As Sub said it wouldn't be a bad idea to take it for a good drive every couple weeks, let it warm up and blow the cob webs out. Condensate is a byproduct of engines and also the change in temperatur and will speed up the break down of oil, getting the engine nice and warm every now and then will help burn off this moisture.

 

[$ub$onic]

Luckily I have a nice long commute to work so my oil gets baked twice a day,
And don't forget to do a nice hard pull every now and then to bake the cat, the temps are 1200-1400 for daily driving with stock exhaust mine hit 1850 degrees . This high heat will clean out the cat

 

[ThatTmoGuy]

I let it sit till the idle dies, I don't step on it till I can feel the warmth of the motor.

 

[seanp1]

2 miles? why not ride a bike? IF you wanna pick up chicks, get a tandem bike.

I'm like Tmo, By the time I roll down my driveway, the idle has dropped and I usually drive like grandma.

 

[Eric Smit]

I start my car 10 minutes before I leave in the winter, and it's usually 170-180 when I leave.

 

[sx sonic]

I start my car 10 minutes before I leave in the winter, and it's usually 170-180 when I leave.

And what's winter in texas? Like 70F? ;-)

When its 0F out it takes over 20mins of idleing for mine to get anywhere near 180

 

[mowcowbell]

I wish my commute was only 2 miles. I would be walking or riding my bike. I only let mine idle until the rpm's drop after 30 sec, then I drive it gently until near 160F. At that point, I'm entering the freeway, and unless I want my arse ran over, I have to drive it 65+mph.

And to sx sonic: Texas covers a lot of climate areas. You can have sub zero temps in Dumas (TX Panhandle) while Corpus Christi is a nice 75F.

Darin

 

[SonicBoy24]

I don't see why you would waste time and gas letting your engine warm up for a 2 mile commute.
My commute is 3.1 miles at 40mph, so I don't see the point.

Yes, you want to let it warm up before driving hard, but with such a short commute its just a waste of gas.

 

[River_Rat]

I'm guessing the point would be that it is better to waste a little gas than accelerate wear from constantly driving below operating temp.

 

[Bogus]

I'm guessing the point would be that it is better to waste a little gas than accelerate wear from constantly driving below operating temp.

Exactly. I don't drive anywhere except work and I don't want 100% of my driving to be on a cold engine.

 

[Eric Smit]

And what's winter in texas? Like 70F? ;-)

When its 0F out it takes over 20mins of idleing for mine to get anywhere near 180

it's desert man; nights get cold like 20.

 

[Clselby]

Is their a temp readout on the lt?

 

[River_Rat]

Is their a temp readout on the lt?

There is no coolant temp readout on any trim level so far as I know. These guys are using an ultragauge if I am not mistaken.

 

[Eric Smit]

There is no coolant temp readout on any trim level so far as I know. These guys are using an ultragauge if I am not mistaken.

accurate statement is accurate.

 

[SonicBoy24]

Exactly. I don't drive anywhere except work and I don't want 100% of my driving to be on a cold engine.

100% of your driving wouldn't be on a cold engine. It'll warm up as you drive.

Plus with this logic, you should let your car warm up during the summer too, and I know for a fact that no one does this, except for the people who need their cars to be cold before they get in.

Either way, I despise it.

 

[Eric Smit]

I warm my car up in the summer, thanks.

 

[Bogus]

So negative. If you don't like to warm your engine that's fine it's your car and your choice. I'm asking because I like to.

 

[ThatTmoGuy]

I always warm the car. That's (un)common sense.