CoCoLoCo

Hello all,

I was just wondering what was the best way to start your car in winter temps. By "best way", I mean the way that puts the least amount of stress on the engine, not how to get the heat to circulate through the cabin the quickest.

On cold winter mornings (less than 30 degrees F), I usually run out to start my car and let it idle for 5-10 minutes, just to get the oil temp needle moving a bit. I always thought that its best to get the oil circulating through the engine before driving off. If I am in a rush, I'll start up the car and try to keep the tach to under 3000 rpm's while driving until the oil temp needle starts rising.

A few days ago, I had my car idling to warm up when a friend of mine told me that he read many places that it is actually bad to keep your car idling and that you only need to wait about 10-15 seconds before driving off. I was a bit critical since idling is just having the engine running at very low RPMs and didnt think idling for several minutes on a cold start would actually be detrimental to an engine.

So, I wanted to see what members of the TL community regard as the best way. I would appreciate if members that had decent automotive knowledge or a solid answer reply. If I wanted an answer based on pure fact-less speculation, I would have posted this question in Yahoo Answers

Thanks,
CoCo
2006 TL 6MT

sixsixfour

from what Ive read, mostly under the heading "best practices", for newer cars, you dont need to ilde the car at all when starting from cold. the recommended thing to do would be to drive at a modest pace. the engine will get up to temperature faster (because it will be under load), you will get better lubrication and get the other related parts warmed up too (transmission, brakes, etc)

ilding gets you 0 miles per gallon. similar to saving electricity by turning off a light bulb not in use, any time you need to idle more than 30 seconds, shut off the car to save gas.

Repecat

I let my engine idle for about 10 to 12 seconds before backing out of the garage. Then I have about 1/2 mile of 10mph streets before I hit the 35mph zone for 2 miles. It is usually warmed up by the time I reach the freeway.

SouthernBoy

Start your engine, wait for the RPMs to drop to within the normal range (maybe around 30 seconds), then start driving carefully for the first several miles.

Reasons. An engine warms up more quickly when placed under load and you want your engine to reach operating temperature as soon as possible. This reduces condensation and acid build up in the engine, and condensation in the exhaust, which is the primary cause of internal rusting in an exhaust system.

SouthernBoy

There are more reasons for sure. Getting the engine oil up to temperature and circulating quickly. Getting transmission fluids warmed up. Also coolant, axle lubricants, and intake manifold (affects fuel/air mixture). Yes there are more.

shayan

iTrader: (1)

I have always waited for the temperature gauge to go above cold to began to drive. I have always felt that it hurts the car if you drie it when the engine is still on cold.
I dont know if that is good either, but I would like to find out if that is good or not.

Shyguy_1982

I always start the car with the heater off and the music system off so there is no pressure and also wait for the temperature gauge to go above cold as shayan said earlier.....so keep it running for couple minutes before you drive..

Knockz

I was at the dealership for a new car owner seminar and they actually said that after you start your car, by the time your ready to put on your seatbelt and put it into drive the car is ready to go.

They say the newer cars don't need to sit and idle like the older ones.

I also notice that my TL warms up a lot faster compared to my 2000 Accord I traded in. Its a huge difference.

CoCoLoCo

Thanks for the answers guys.

Taking most of your suggestions into consideration, I think I'll wait about 10-15 seconds before driving off instead of 5 minutes as I was doing before, and just drive conservatively until the engine is warmed up. It seems like that is the general consensus. I'm glad I found out this was the case as it will save me time, gas (and I guess the environment is some small way). Not to mention the risk of what happened in this article.

InYoUrFaCe

Some good information for anyone to practice on their ride. I've learned something for the day, thanks fellows!