Best way to warm the engine...

I would have thought that apart from excessive revs, the actual load on the engine (i.e. how far the throttle is depressed) would matter just as much. I wouldn't think flooring it in any gear at any revs when cold will do much good? Or am I talking rubbish?
 
In my corrado handbook it says that even on the coldest morning you should just get in and drive, DO NOT leave it ticking over and rev it.

Cant remember why now and i havent got it with me, ill dig it out later!
 
Ive seen people turn on there cars and let them idle for awhile in neutral to warm them up. Is that a good way?
 
I try to avoid going over 0.6 bar before its warmed up a notch or two.

With my old Rover I didn't care quite so much. Less to go wrong, and at 140k it had already had plenty of wear. :p
 
Zip said:
Ive seen people turn on there cars and let them idle for awhile in neutral to warm them up. Is that a good way?
Click to expand...
Depends how much time you've got to spare.

Driving along without revving the car will equally warm it up without causing undue wear.

Letting it idle for a while is no better or worse than warming it up by actually moving, just a lot less productive if you gotta get somewhere.
 
My handbook (VAG 130PD engine) is specifically says to drive off immediately and not idle on cold. This is because it takes an absolute age of a diesel to warm up when not loaded, so idling from cold is a lot of engine revolutions with cold oil.
 
I just drive off straight away, keeping revs as low as possible, usually under 3k but occasionally a bit higher if 'needed'...

My old cars (cheap bangers) i used to just thrash from cold though, and they didn't seem to mind too much :p
 
Isnt it illegal or something in Gernmany to start the engine and not pull away after a short period of time (cant remember how long)?

I could be wrong, just something I heard once.
 
An engine has very little oil pressure at idle so letting it warm up this way will not be lubricating it properly.

*Says him with the remote start on his car that gets used every morning in winter, but at least i know its doing the engine no good*
 
On cold days I do tend to start the engine and go back inside for 5 mins, sod sitting in a cold car.
 
ok so the best preffered way to warm up a car engine seems like to drive with low revs.

what the best way to warm up a bike engine then (?)
 
Tim said:
On cold days I do tend to start the engine and go back inside for 5 mins, sod sitting in a cold car.
Click to expand...

Same here.

It may cause a tiny bit of extra wear, but cold leather seats are too much of a shock in the morning! :p
 
Before I go to work, I start the car up, put the heating on, then go back inside, eat my cereal and leave.....5-10 mins of driving and it has pretty much warmed up the proper level.
 
Bug One said:
Letting it idle for a while is no better or worse than warming it up by actually moving, just a lot less productive if you gotta get somewhere.
Click to expand...

Totally disagree.

A loaded engine consumes more fuel and therefore will heat up faster.

An idling engine has low rpm and by the mechanical linkage connecting the oil pump ;) means the oil pump is low rpm too. With cold viscous oil and a low rpm oil pump you will have less oil pressure to support the bearing loads. Also the camsshafts see a lot of load at idle.

I personally just drive, no VTEC and try to avoid sub 2k. Labouring an engine is just as bad as revving a cold engine.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom