Hey guys, I live in so-cal where it doesnt get TOO cold but just wondering... when i start my car first thing in the morning, should i sit there and let the engine run for a little to warm it up? Is it better for the car?

 

I live in LA also, and i've always been wondering about that.. But.. when i sit in the car early in the morning, after 1 min, the engine fan goes on.. (i think its suppose to cool down the engine or something).. well, i don't get it.. the engine is freezing cold, and the car turns on the fan.. i went to the honda dealer for my dad's old accord, and they said these cars are designed so you could drive it right after you turn it on. Not so sure about that, but that's what i usually do.

But if anyone else could help answer this question, it would be great because i've been wondering if i should leave the car running for 5 min or not..

ps. i think i'm gonna get a Viper 500 ESP soon, so i will just turn the engine on while i'm eating breakfast.

 

You don't really have to sit in your car to let the engine warm up. You can drive it right away, just don't rev it too high until your engine is at it's normal running temp.
I usually drive side streets at 25-30 mph for about 5 mins. before I hit I-95 on my way to work. By then, I'm ready to fly.

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1999 Firepepper Red TL

• Under Body Kit
• Rear Wing Spoiler
• 26 Piece Wood Grain Console
• BurlWood Shift Knob
• 30% Smoke Tint

Pics of My TL

 

The manual says 15 or 20 seconds then you can drive off.

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2001 3.2TL with Nav
Satin Silver Metallic
Factory Rear Wing Spoiler

 

I normally wait for about 30sec during the summer and 3-4 min during the winter.

it is very warm here during summer and very cold during winter

 

yep, 30 seconds for me too before I drive off..
Ed

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Acura-TL.com - Forum Moderator

'99 TL Satin Silver/Ebony, Non/Nav, Comptech lowered, Comptech Air Filter Element, Inspire Tails, AEM Brake Pads all around, Comptech Axle Back Exhaust, "Guy Smiley" doll on the dash as my Co-driver...

Pics of my TL
Pics of my Miata! Wadya think?

 

I do the same 30 second warmup too.

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<A HREF="http://www.adamoski.com/acura.html" TARGET=_blank> </A>
2000 Acura 3.2 TL w/ Navigation
Satin Silver / Ebony Interior
Factory Spoiler; CD Changer; Burlwood Shifter
35% Tint, No Mods (Yet! Waiting For Better Weather)

 

I thought the manual said 1 minute. That's what I do.

And I don't rev it til the engine warms up.

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2001 Satin Silver w/ Nav

 

Yeah about 30 seconds here too. But if it's really cold, then about 1 minute.

 

Most mechanics will tell you 30 - 60 second warm up and drive slow & steady till warm up. They also say that it's better on engines to be moving, more effective on moving oil through the engine, from the oil pan where it settled to overnight.

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2000 TL - Laguna Green, Navi, Rear Spoiler. PIAA Hyperwhite HB's. 17" CL-S wheels. Soon to have Comptech Suspension, Sways & Axle back Exhaust.

<FONT COLOR="#800080" SIZE="1" FACE="Verdana, Arial">[This message has been edited by MikeS on January 28, 2001 @ ]</font>

 

Also from LA...

I let it warm up for a second or two and go. I drive slowly until it is fully warmed up. But my car is in the garage so it doesn't really get that cold.

 

Me too: 30-60 sec warm-up, then easy drive till normal temp is better than sitting idle for 3-5 minutes.

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2001 Laguna Navi (no regrets or TL-S envy)
OEM Spoiler
Burlwood Shift Knob

 

i usually look at the engine heat gauge, in the winter i'd let it sit so that the heat gauge actually reads and then i'd drive slowly until it warms to normal temperature. sounds like overkill but we've had a cold winter in canada and it takes around 4-5 minutes

 

I live in a condo and our underground parking is like P4. So I usually just drive off right away. When I exit the parking, my engine is ready to go. But I don't rev it until the temp goes all the way to normal.....