Eight Facts About Warming Up Your Car

[freeatlast]

Old habits die hard, and one of the oldest — still rigorously enforced by many drivers — is that "warming up" the car for a few minutes is necessary to avoid some kind....
http://real-us.autos.yahoo.com/arti...ht-facts-about-warming-up-your-car-in-winter/

 

[mets65]

I assumed everyone knew this. It's still ideal to let a diesel idle for a bit, especially in cold weather. Even if it has glow plugs.

 

[glfredrick]

I've been an ASE certified master tech, and I disagree that vehicles about the need for a warm-up period. 10-15 minutes, no... 10 seconds? That is silly. I've seen oil filter canisters blown right off the bottom of engines, oil pump drive rods shattered, and other issues from trying to drive off in a cold vehicle.

Additionally, cures for the warm-up period, like "plugging in" a block heater actually take as much fuel as running the car, albeit electrical power from your house instead of gasoline from your tank. Block heaters draw heavy amperage, as does charging an electric vehicle (something that isn't often mentioned when talking about alternative fuel vehicles).

In climates where the temps don't drop below 20 degrees, I can see very short warm-up periods, but for the rest of the country, I can't imagine not warming up a vehicle. Ever sat on a car seat in -30 weather and had it crack wide open? I have...

I wonder if that article was sponsored by the manufacturer of car starters... They're the ones who will actually profit from the constant starting of engines.

 

[freeatlast]

I've been an ASE certified master tech, and I disagree that vehicles about the need for a warm-up period. 10-15 minutes, no... 10 seconds? That is silly. I've seen oil filter canisters blown right off the bottom of engines, oil pump drive rods shattered, and other issues from trying to drive off in a cold vehicle.

Additionally, cures for the warm-up period, like "plugging in" a block heater actually take as much fuel as running the car, albeit electrical power from your house instead of gasoline from your tank. Block heaters draw heavy amperage, as does charging an electric vehicle (something that isn't often mentioned when talking about alternative fuel vehicles).

In climates where the temps don't drop below 20 degrees, I can see very short warm-up periods, but for the rest of the country, I can't imagine not warming up a vehicle. Ever sat on a car seat in -30 weather and had it crack wide open? I have...

I wonder if that article was sponsored by the manufacturer of car starters... They're the ones who will actually profit from the constant starting of engines.

[SIZE=+0]I lived in some very cold temp in years past the only way those things could possibly happen is if there was improper oil viscosity (very improper) or some mechanical problem with the filter, and oil pump drive rod, or the person jumped into the vehicle and decided to act like they were going to run the quarter mile (sudden full power). In fact both of those things can happen even in warm temps due to the reasons I mentioned. All those things you mentioned are extremely RARE![/SIZE]

[SIZE=+0]As for the seats cracking then it must have been plastic and very old. By the way about the seat. My friend I have been in 30 below temps with the vehicle left outside and you could not warm the seat up in 30 minutes at 30 below, much less 5 or even 10 minutes. If your bottom is cold put some sort of blanket or towel down. If the vehicle is maintained with proper oil for the climate and will start in the temps it is setting in then 10 t 30 seconds is enough time to ensure proper warm up without any mechanical damage.[/SIZE]
This is not dealing with those people who have cold toes, fingers, and bottoms. The article is about if there is a need to pre-warm the vehicle for proper care of the engine and there is no need.
[SIZE=+0]Here is a study done in Canada;[/SIZE]
http://oee.nrcan.gc.ca/transportation/idling/warm-up.cfm?attr=8

 

[SpiritualMadMan]

All I know is that it ticks like crazy under load and doesn't tick if warmed up...

And, *NO* I can't afford to have the top end seviced right now.

Also, any time on the road at 28 degrees is too long.

And, my little four banger doesn't even like warming me up *after* a warm-up period...

So, I'll continue to warm-up my car as long as it cold.

Thank You very Much...

 

[freeatlast]

All I know is that it ticks like crazy under load and doesn't tick if warmed up...

And, *NO* I can't afford to have the top end seviced right now.

Also, any time on the road at 28 degrees is too long.

And, my little four banger doesn't even like warming me up *after* a warm-up period...

So, I'll continue to warm-up my car as long as it cold.

Thank You very Much...

That is your choice but the article was not trying to deal with clunkers. ( I have a couple) It is dealing with the issue if there is a real need to warm up our modern vehicles any more and the answer is no. For those who have a preference to do so even if not needed that is their choice or for those who drive older warn vehicles but it is not necessary for the ones being manufactured today. That is not to suggest that some irresponsible person can jump into any cold vehicle summer or winter and try to break the quarter mile record. It is a concise accurate report on modern vehicles and the driver using a little common sense when they do start to drive.

 

[mets65]

I can't imagine an oil filter being blown off because of cold temps. That has to be extremely extremely rare. I've both driven and serviced vehicles in extreme temps and I have never seen anything like that. Like I said I think diesel engines are the only ones that need to be warmed up.

 

[preachinjesus]

Move to the south with many others and enjoy wonderfully mild temperatures during the winter months!

 

[billwald]

in 1961 we had a 60 VW in cold country. I'd take the battery into the kitchen at night and it always started fine. The oil in the transmission would get stiff and in neutral it would go down the road when the clutch was let out.

 

[Robert Snow]

I don't care what these so-called auto experts have to say. I believe it is good to warm up a cold engine for at least 30 seconds or even one minute. I do this with both my truck and my motorcycle, which is liquid-cooled. It takes the metal in the valve train a little time to warm up and adjust to the correct clearances. Maybe this is incorrect in some instances, but I alway feel like it is damaging to start an engine and drive off immediately first thing without a little warm-up.

 

[Earth Wind and Fire]

I concur with you Robert & I live in a cold climate.

in below degrees like Im having now both the car & the person need a little more warmth to work...LOL

 

[mets65]

I park in the garage so I just get in and go, but if for some reason I've parked outside and it's cold I let it warm up just so I won't freeze on the way to work. I work on buses all day long, the last thing I want to do when I get home is think about engines any more.

 

[Arbo]

Old habits die hard, and one of the oldest — still rigorously enforced by many drivers — is that "warming up" the car for a few minutes is necessary to avoid some kind....
http://real-us.autos.yahoo.com/arti...ht-facts-about-warming-up-your-car-in-winter/

The author of the article seems to have an anti-idling agenda. It is ridiculous.

I find it interesting that he points out how much fuel is wasted by idling. It's been my experience that in the dead of winter, if I don't let my suv warm up a couple minutes before driving, my milage suffers greatly. I SAVE gas by letting it warm up a bit.

 

[targus]

The author of the article seems to have an anti-idling agenda.

I kept waiting for the words "global warming". :laugh:

 

[Robert Snow]

I kept waiting for the words "global warming". :laugh:

This is probably what is behind his agenda. They are concerned about the damage to the earth in idling your automobile an extra few minutes a day. Of course they aren't the ones who have to replace your starter, alternator or battery.

I'm guessing, but I think it would create more pollution in manufacturing the added replacement parts for your car than it does in idling a few extra minutes a day.

 

[mets65]

This is probably what is behind his agenda. They are concerned about the damage to the earth in idling your automobile an extra few minutes a day. Of course they aren't the ones who have to replace your starter, alternator or battery.

I'm guessing, but I think it would create more pollution in manufacturing the added replacement parts for your car than it does in idling a few extra minutes a day.

I wonder how long your starter would last if you restarted your car at every red light?

 

[rbell]

I wonder how long your starter would last if you restarted your car at every red light?

I have an answer. I'm not ASE certified, but I have a Ph.D. in Murphy's law.

It would wait until you were at a light at which more than thirty Bostonians were behind you. And the Red Sox would have just lost to the Yankees. And they have a migraine. And they're armed. And you would have just made the last payment on your car.


THAT'S when it would go out.

 

[sag38]

This is nothing but a propaganda piece from environmentalistRus. They dislike the idea of you running you car when you aren't in it because it supposedly pollutes the environment. Personally, I wish they would mind their own business. When my windshield is iced over I idle my truck for about fifteen minutes to clear the windshield of ice and fog not to mention it gives me a nice warm place to park my butt.

 

[mcdirector]

I get in the car at 5:30 a.m. I warm the car for me AND to get rid of any ice on the windshield. No way am I scraping at that time of day!

 

[kyredneck]

I get in the car at 5:30 a.m. I warm the car for me AND to get rid of any ice on the windshield. No way am I scraping at that time of day!

Zactly. I'll let it idle with the defroster on (while I drink coffee inside) until the ice is gone and the inside of the truck/car is cozy.