Should I let the engine warm up?
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Jan 2023
Posts: 1,172
Likes: 114
Should I let the engine warm up?
I usually let the high idle go down before I drive away, and keep it under 3k rpm until it’s to temp. If it’s under 50 degrees usually about another 30-60 seconds after the high idle goes down. I’ve been doing my research on this, and most people say start it, put your seatbelt on, and drive away but they always mention this being new cars. What is best for my 302? I know there’s a fine line in the time I allow it to warm up, so oil can get to things and I don’t wash down the cylinder walls with gas by letting it warm up too long. So I just wanted to get your opinions on this. Thanks.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 3,716
Likes: 583
From: Chillicothe
It is really a what works for you scenario.
I have an aftermarket oil pressure gauge installed. When it is very cold ( 9F this morning) I wait till I see pressure build, then give it another 15 seconds. Then away I go. If it is below Zero Fahrenheit, I'll wait a minute or so. I have actually lost pressure before after I started driving, because it was so cold the oil couldn't drain back fast enough. Granted it was like -30 F, but it still happened. Any temp above 40 I wouldn't worry about it though
I have an aftermarket oil pressure gauge installed. When it is very cold ( 9F this morning) I wait till I see pressure build, then give it another 15 seconds. Then away I go. If it is below Zero Fahrenheit, I'll wait a minute or so. I have actually lost pressure before after I started driving, because it was so cold the oil couldn't drain back fast enough. Granted it was like -30 F, but it still happened. Any temp above 40 I wouldn't worry about it though
Hotshot
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 17,484
Likes: 2,773
From: Northern Ontario
Imo a warm up won’t hurt it, and I wouldn’t worry too much about washing down cyl walls.
Without getting into an oil thread,.. a good lighter oil that flows for winter use in cold temps, can help a lot. It can be like night and day for starting some engines.
@50f I wouldn’t worry about anything.
Without getting into an oil thread,.. a good lighter oil that flows for winter use in cold temps, can help a lot. It can be like night and day for starting some engines.
@50f I wouldn’t worry about anything.
Cargo Master
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 2,822
Likes: 1,029
If I am towing, I let it warm up for several minutes. If I am not, once the engine is running, it's in drive [or first gear]. Gas is too expensive to waste and 'IF' there is a benefit for a complete warm up, you will not have the vehicle long enough to benefit from it.
Trying to convince which camp is wrong is futile. Just listen to peoples beliefs and make a decision what works for you.
Trying to convince which camp is wrong is futile. Just listen to peoples beliefs and make a decision what works for you.
Cargo Master
Joined: Aug 2021
Posts: 2,258
Likes: 742
From: Maryland
I agree with the advice to not worry about washing down cylinders walls and the advice to make your own decision.
The Internet has given lots of people a space to make arguments about things that don't matter.
I could "prove" that driving on back roads is easier on tires, because that's what I like to do and I dry rot tires before I wear them out.
Someone else could "prove" the opposite.
My first three cars were carbureted, so it's natural for me to warm up a vehicle before driving.
My truck took me years to get on the road. I pre trip it once a day. I change the oil every three thousand miles. That's what I like to do.
I lived in a state for years, with plenty of winter mornings below zero. Once the heater was blowing a little bit warm and the ice or snow was off the windshield, I took off.
The Internet has given lots of people a space to make arguments about things that don't matter.
I could "prove" that driving on back roads is easier on tires, because that's what I like to do and I dry rot tires before I wear them out.
Someone else could "prove" the opposite.
My first three cars were carbureted, so it's natural for me to warm up a vehicle before driving.
My truck took me years to get on the road. I pre trip it once a day. I change the oil every three thousand miles. That's what I like to do.
I lived in a state for years, with plenty of winter mornings below zero. Once the heater was blowing a little bit warm and the ice or snow was off the windshield, I took off.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Jul 2023
Posts: 991
Likes: 317
I beat the **** out of my truck and have made plenty of mistakes and it's still fine. My 94 (daily/work truck) I always like to warm up and throttle up to 1500 for about 30 seconds to get the oil moving and warm it up so the choke will kick off and the rpms fall under 1000. I don't like putting it into gear when it's choked and idling at 1200 rpms. Although I've done that for awhile I have a few times just fired it up and drove away immediately without letting it warm at all and still no major damage that I know of. I wouldn't recommend following some of my bad habits but people spread rumors and no one knows what to believe. Do what suits you and you should be fine. I've seen some people do worse and somehow get away with it.
Lead Driver
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 5,776
Likes: 443
my motto is drive fire 'em up, go, and drive like grandpa until warm.
Unless it's a diesel HEUI engine, then I let it warm for a few minutes.
Unless it's a diesel HEUI engine, then I let it warm for a few minutes.
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Cross-Country
Joined: Aug 2023
Posts: 77
Likes: 18
From: CA
If it is carbureted, give it a little time in winter and then drive easy. This lets all the lubricants circulate - engine, trans, and differential. For fuel injected, a minor delay and drive it easy till it reaches temperature. Same principle to circulate all fluids. Diesels are different critters. They can just idle all day long. That is what I have always done. I have had some of my vehicles 20 plus years and some less than 10 years with no issues from start up procedures. I also do a bunch of preventative maintenance. For gasoline powered vehicles, I do not believe in letting a vehicle idle for any great length of time and then not using it. Collector car guys were bad for this. Start the car and let it warm up and then turn it off. No drive cycle is bad in my opinion. Of coarse now, some of them do not put any fluids in anything. No fluids = no leaks. The occasional wide open throttle, I find to be very therapeutic and is probably okay for the vehicle also.
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 946
Likes: 186
From: Carnation, Wah
I usually let the idle drop, too.
The oil's 'circulating' once the pressure reaches equilibrium,
but I'm not sure my grey matter's fully engaged, so I claim
that I'm letting everything settle down by waiting for the idle to drop.
If I need to drive off immediately, I don't feel bad about it.
It works for me.
t
The oil's 'circulating' once the pressure reaches equilibrium,
but I'm not sure my grey matter's fully engaged, so I claim
that I'm letting everything settle down by waiting for the idle to drop.
If I need to drive off immediately, I don't feel bad about it.
It works for me.
t
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