Tough 75002
enthusiast
Posts: 744
Reg: 11-17-04
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02-05-11 11:40 AM - Post#125564
Rule #1...do not post before your morning coffee.
Good morning,
What is the rule for warming up your car in an ice storm?
I was always told not to rev the engine because the car is cold and it forces cold fluids into the engine which can damage it. Also, revving waste gas and has no benefit.
My neighbor spent ten minutes with his foot on the gas pedal this morning revving his engine. He said it warms the car up faster. He tried to pull out and his car sounds awful.
What is the actual rule of thumb from our experts?
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Al C
enthusiast
Posts: 5920
Loc: McKinney/Allen, TX
Reg: 02-16-01
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02-05-11 12:08 PM - Post#125569
In response to Tough 75002
Not necessary ... especially in today's cars. In fact, most new cars warm up quicker once you get out and rolling. 10 seconds or so should be enough.
Old cars may be different. Back when I was in high school, I drove a '74 Datsun that would die if I didn't keep my foot on the pedal. But even then, I just held it steady until it would idle on its own.
I remember years ago at my now wife's apartment complex she lived in before we got married, there was a person that continuously reved the engine in a quite annoying pattern .... rev, rev, rev ...... rev, rev, rev ...... over and over again. Bugged the heck outa my wife.
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denisew
Community Expert
Posts: 9241
Loc: Allen, TX
Reg: 02-18-02
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02-05-11 08:19 PM - Post#125594
In response to Al C
I turn my vehicle on and let it run a little while on its own before driving in below freezing temps. Ours is around 10 years old, so we're trying to make it last as long as possible with TLC.
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Brewer
enthusiast
Posts: 1421
Reg: 06-02-07
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02-05-11 08:47 PM - Post#125599
In response to denisew
The oil pressure is the lowest it will ever be at idle. Start it and drive sanely until the heater starts to blow warm air.
A good plan violently executed now is better than a perfect plan executed next week.
-GEN George S. Patton
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Al C
enthusiast
Posts: 5920
Loc: McKinney/Allen, TX
Reg: 02-16-01
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02-05-11 10:24 PM - Post#125605
In response to denisew
I turn my vehicle on and let it run a little while on its own before driving in below freezing temps. Ours is around 10 years old, so we're trying to make it last as long as possible with TLC.
Mine's 13 years old. On the really cold days of this week, I did let it idle for a bit so the heater would be warm enough to be comfy. It's a very slow acting heater and never really did get up to it's hottest while I was out and about. But on normal days, I give it about 15-20 seconds and I'm rolling.
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Automobob
Community Expert
Posts: 167
Loc: TEXAS, COLLIN
Reg: 04-13-06
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02-25-11 04:03 PM - Post#126800
In response to Tough 75002
All these replies to origional posted question are great advice. I agree, don't rev! True, any engine will warm faster the more rpms your putting within a min. The stress however due to the temperature of the engine, engine oil, and how all the parts fit together cold vs operating temperature is much higher. As collective comments posted earlier on this thread, allow it to warm on it's own to some degree for a couple min. or so and drive "sanely" 
BOB ELLIS--
ALLEN CAR CARE CENTER |
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KOKJ
member
Posts: 65
Reg: 11-27-08
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03-13-11 11:30 PM - Post#127688
In response to Automobob
After initial startup, specifically during the cold weather months, I let my vehicles idle for about a good 2 minutes before taking off. No, the car isn't going to warm to operating temperature just yet, but it will give the engine oil an opportunity to thin out a bit before putting any stress on it. If you start up the engine and take off immediately, your oil pump is going to be busting its butt pumping thick, cold oil when it could be easily pumping a bit thinner, warmer oil. Oil starvating leads to dry bearings which will fail. Just my 2 cents.
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DrivinTooFast
enthusiast
Posts: 1874
Reg: 02-20-08
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04-04-11 03:37 PM - Post#128777
In response to KOKJ
Do not let it idle, Start and drive off conservatively. Even in our coldest temps its not too bad either way, but in addition to the engine oil, the whole car needs to warm up including those things that need to move to warm up - shocks/struts, tires even brakes.
Avoid gunning the engine, fast manuvers until it's completely warmed up.
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KOKJ
member
Posts: 65
Reg: 11-27-08
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04-06-11 01:39 AM - Post#128864
In response to DrivinTooFast
Do not let it idle, Start and drive off conservatively. Even in our coldest temps its not too bad either way
I disagree, DrivinTooFast. I never drive away immediately after starting any of my vehicles when it's below 50 outside. As I said, you'll be pumping thick, gooey oil through the engine and bearings won't be lubricated properly. Proper lubrication won't happen until the oil thins out a bit. But, you go right ahead and drive your vehicles that way.
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vm7mm
enthusiast
Posts: 1527
Loc: Allen Tx usa
Reg: 08-12-04
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04-06-11 07:00 AM - Post#128866
In response to KOKJ
Most of the newer cars will idle a little faster when you first start them. I always let the idle go down by itself before touching the gas pedal, takes maybe a minute or two. Also if you were to take off right away, the high idle is not good for the drive train and transmission. I believe the engine needs to warm up before driving.
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DrivinTooFast
enthusiast
Posts: 1874
Reg: 02-20-08
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04-06-11 07:55 AM - Post#128869
In response to vm7mm
EVERY modern car maker indicates it is safe to start and drive. If oil was not going to the bearings and valves the car would sound like 3 piece percussion band.
Oil has come a long way since the 1950s. Heck, I challenge to to remove the oil cap and start a car @ freezing. You will be covered in oil within 2 seconds.
The "high idle" you experience is to warm the oxygen sensor (they don't work until they are about 400 degrees) so the engine can trim fuel. Without the O2 reading the engine runs full rich to prevent knock.
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