hi guys, is there any special treatment needed for starting up a turbo (rdx) during winter when the temps are in the 20-30F range? do i idle for 1 min before getting of the driveway? do i make sure i dont let the turbo spool while engine is still cold? appreciate any thoughts on this...

 

The RDX is like any other (turbo) vehicle. Start up for a minute, drive gently until it warms up, and yes, try to not "use" the turbo until then. People that warm up their cars for a long time are doing it for their own comfort, not necessarily the car as most people know that you should not warm them up.

 

oh ok, so one does need to start up for a minute... i used to live in 80F weather so i never warmed up my cars before (just drove off slowly)... ive been driving the rdx for a week now but never warmed up for 1 min (but i do drive very easy on the first 1 min - i just shift to D and go after, uhhh, 5 seconds, haha)... will now idle and warm up for 1-2 min at least before driving off... thanks for the tips... btw, it's kinda hard not to "use" the turbo when i drive off since i immediately have to go uphill after i exit my garage... maybe ill compensate with a little bit longer idling time on start up (say 2 mins)... thanks again!

 

I didn't mean 1 minute, literally, but it sounds like a good idea

 

I give it 20 seconds or so, then go, but I drive pretty softly until the engine temp is up.

I also have a remote start, so if it's colder, I can let it idle longer.

 

but cwepruk, you guys have block heaters included -- we dont ... from today onwards, ive stuck to my "let's let it warm up for 1-2 mins at least"...

i used to be like you, 5 secs and slow gradual pace... but then that was 1 week ago till yesterday (got my car on feb 5th ... hard to really be really slow (eg. at 40kph or below) when the first road i hit after i get out is a 60kph speed limit road :P (and we all know 60kph = 70-80 kph for some other drivers here in toronto)

 

I only use the block heater when it's really cold. Speed isn't really the issue, it's engine load. Nothing wrong with waiting a bit longer, but beyond 20-30 seconds is not really needed in most weather.

Since I park in a garage at home, I just start it, give it 5 seconds and I'm off. Getting out of my subdivision takes 3-4 minutes of low speed driving, so it's good to go after that.

 

I too baby my vehicles and am definitely not one for turning the key and racing away. But at the same time the car does NOT need to idle for a minute or two, unless it's like literally zero degrees out or something. I'll start the car, adjust heater, audio, etc. By that time 15-30 seconds have past. More than enough time. I DO drive cautiously until the temp gauge comes up which is pretty quick in the RDX, even in extreme cold. P.S. It's not just the engine but also the tranny, wheel bearings, ect. that need to come up to temp and of course you gotta get moving for those components to warm up.

 

I agree with carbon2008 here. I simply start up the car, make quick adjustments to the cabin temp, select my CD to play, put trans in rev, and slowly back out of my garage. By the time I drive up my driveway, I am still moving pretty slowly, all the way out of my cul-de-sac neighbourhood (lots of kids around). After that, I drive normally, accelerating enough to get into the traffic (but not gunning the accelerator).
In all, just drive as you would any other car, i.e. sensibly and safely, and you don't really have to worry about idling the car for more than you need to.