Warming up the engine?
Warming up the engine? I just recently purchased a '98 Z28 a little less than two weeks ago, after totalling my n/a 3000gt. One hell of an upgrade if you ask me, I had a 3rd gen T/a before that, and my first car was a V6 firebird, so when I found a good deal on a 98, I had to jump on it.
Anyway, for my question. For my 3000gt, the owner's manual said to let the car warm up until the temp gauge starts to move. This worked out nicely, on cold days it took a little longer, and warmer days a little less time, then I would just keep it under 3k rpm's until operating temp. With the Camaro, it seems to take much longer to start moving, the heater even starts getting a little warm before it moves, it does move eventually though, just seems slow (I know it works, on 98's the temp gauge was functional). I've been letting it run until the idle drops to about 1000rpms, and then keep it under/around 2k rpms until it's in normal operating range, is that long enough? Just wondering what other people do/recommend. I know this seems like a trivial thing, but IMO, it's one of the most important things you can do for the car. Sorry if this has been asked or discussed before, I couldn't find anything about it by searching.
Thanks
Anyway, for my question. For my 3000gt, the owner's manual said to let the car warm up until the temp gauge starts to move. This worked out nicely, on cold days it took a little longer, and warmer days a little less time, then I would just keep it under 3k rpm's until operating temp. With the Camaro, it seems to take much longer to start moving, the heater even starts getting a little warm before it moves, it does move eventually though, just seems slow (I know it works, on 98's the temp gauge was functional). I've been letting it run until the idle drops to about 1000rpms, and then keep it under/around 2k rpms until it's in normal operating range, is that long enough? Just wondering what other people do/recommend. I know this seems like a trivial thing, but IMO, it's one of the most important things you can do for the car. Sorry if this has been asked or discussed before, I couldn't find anything about it by searching.
Thanks
Last edited by Muerte_X; Dec 21, 2004 at 11:43 AM.
Every morning before work I always let it warm up, it moves after about 4 to 5 minutes for me, idles about 1000rpms. I know that your supposed to do it with turbo cars before and after you drive. So when ever I get home I let it idle for a little bit as well. Not sure that it helps the car but I do it anyway.
i let it warm up, for one because thats just what i was taught when i was younger...and two its been pretty damn cold outside so i need to let her warm up so i can use the heat 
TECH Fanatic
Joined: Nov 2001
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From: Holly Springs NC
I always let my car run a minute or so before I drive it on cold start up.....let that oil get moving around. Not that it's the ridiculously cold in FL, but in the 40's I let it run a few mins longer than I would in 90 degrees.
I laugh when I see people start a car and start to drive it right away.
I laugh when I see people start a car and start to drive it right away.
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Staging Lane
Joined: Nov 2003
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From: Andrews AFB, MD
lots of pros say you are wasting time and gas letting it warm up for more than 10-15 seconds. after this short time they say the oil pressure is up, and gentle driving warms the car up much quicker while not hurting anything. does this sound wrong? I stress the gentle driving until warm.
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Administrator
Joined: Jan 2002
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From: Earth
Originally Posted by InfiniteReality
Remote start, the best way!
Let it warm up! Gotta get rid of the piston slap somehow.
Take it easy on the throttle when it's cold. Remember, the motor may have warmed up but the tranny & rear end are ice cold still.
TECH Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2001
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From: Mississauga, Ontario
There is no need to let your car idle in order to warm up. All you are doing is building up more carbon in the combustion chamber since it's going to be running rich for a lot longer time. Just start the engine, wait a couple of seconds then slowly pull away. Remember, you need to get your trans fluid and rear end fluid warmed up too, neither of which will happen if you're just sitting there.
Also, when you idle your engine, the oil does not get warmed up as quickly. So even if your coolant begins to climb, the oil temp will still be very low. Therefore you need to have the engine under load.
Just keep the rpms under 2000 and use a light foot on the throttle until your engine is warmed up. This is the best way to go. I do this with all of my cars, even if it's -15F outside I won't let the engine idle in the driveway. That's also a good way to get your car stolen when you do that!
Also, when you idle your engine, the oil does not get warmed up as quickly. So even if your coolant begins to climb, the oil temp will still be very low. Therefore you need to have the engine under load.
Just keep the rpms under 2000 and use a light foot on the throttle until your engine is warmed up. This is the best way to go. I do this with all of my cars, even if it's -15F outside I won't let the engine idle in the driveway. That's also a good way to get your car stolen when you do that!
Originally Posted by unit213
Unless you have a M6. I'm not a fan of disabling the neutral safety switch so no auto start for me.
Let it warm up! Gotta get rid of the piston slap somehow.
Take it easy on the throttle when it's cold. Remember, the motor may have warmed up but the tranny & rear end are ice cold still.
Let it warm up! Gotta get rid of the piston slap somehow.
Take it easy on the throttle when it's cold. Remember, the motor may have warmed up but the tranny & rear end are ice cold still.
I laugh when I see people start a car and start to drive it right away.
TECH Addict
Joined: Feb 2004
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From: Michigan
I won't let the engine idle in the driveway. That's also a good way to get your car stolen when you do that!
LOL
So true... though I am guilty of that in the winter. But at least it is in the garage and I would hear the change in exhaust if it moved.
LOL
So true... though I am guilty of that in the winter. But at least it is in the garage and I would hear the change in exhaust if it moved.
TECH Fanatic
Joined: Nov 2003
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From: MD
Originally Posted by ActionJack
I won't let the engine idle in the driveway. That's also a good way to get your car stolen when you do that!
LOL
So true... though I am guilty of that in the winter. But at least it is in the garage and I would hear the change in exhaust if it moved.
LOL
So true... though I am guilty of that in the winter. But at least it is in the garage and I would hear the change in exhaust if it moved.
On The Tree
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 194
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From: New Jersey
I have a CTS-V and my roomate has an 02 WS6 Trans Am. We both warm our cars up religiously. He is a little more **** about it though, he does it excessively. I just do it till the temp reads 150ish the proceed with caution till regular 190-200 degrees.
I always let me 98 warm up. Usually on the mornings I let it go a little ove the first line then start driving slow. I owned a tt rx7 before this, so letting the car warm up is an instinct to me...
Administrator
Joined: Jan 2002
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From: Earth
Originally Posted by Patman
That's also a good way to get your car stolen when you do that!
Launching!
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 203
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From: Stranger in a Strange Land
Originally Posted by Patman
There is no need to let your car idle in order to warm up. All you are doing is building up more carbon in the combustion chamber since it's going to be running rich for a lot longer time. Just start the engine, wait a couple of seconds then slowly pull away. Remember, you need to get your trans fluid and rear end fluid warmed up too, neither of which will happen if you're just sitting there.
Also, when you idle your engine, the oil does not get warmed up as quickly. So even if your coolant begins to climb, the oil temp will still be very low. Therefore you need to have the engine under load.
Just keep the rpms under 2000 and use a light foot on the throttle until your engine is warmed up. This is the best way to go. I do this with all of my cars, even if it's -15F outside I won't let the engine idle in the driveway. That's also a good way to get your car stolen when you do that!
Also, when you idle your engine, the oil does not get warmed up as quickly. So even if your coolant begins to climb, the oil temp will still be very low. Therefore you need to have the engine under load.
Just keep the rpms under 2000 and use a light foot on the throttle until your engine is warmed up. This is the best way to go. I do this with all of my cars, even if it's -15F outside I won't let the engine idle in the driveway. That's also a good way to get your car stolen when you do that!
As Patman said it......
