Caring For Your Engine - Ford Forums - Mustang Forum, Ford Trucks, Ford Focus and Ford Cars

Timmeh · 12-02-2003, 17:22

Something that I have thought about for a while, but have never been given a definite answer on:

When I was a bit younger, with my first Ford, I remember going on a Fiat/Ferrari cruise with a friend. We jumped into his Ferrari, and sat in the driveway after starting the engine to let it warm up, before we left. He didn't hold back after that, but he said he liked to let the engine warm up.

The Ferrari in question was an older classic, so not sure if that had anything to do with it. I have always let the engine settle somewhat before driving.

Is this a good thing for your engine, or is it irelevant with today's engines? Can you just start and away you go?

Cheers...... Tim

Night_Lurker · 12-02-2003, 17:50

I am not sure if it makes any difference but I also let my BA warm up before going off. I don't mash the pedal either straight away. Let it get up to normal op temp. I really dunno the explanation for it..

xdc351 · 12-02-2003, 18:22

Warming cars up will glaze the bores up and is not reccomended by most engine builders. Instead, get enough heat into it so it wont stall and drive it gently untill its up to normal temp.

Soxx · 12-02-2003, 18:25

There has been a discussion or two on these forums.

Anyway, my take on this hot topic is to drive straight away.
Oil pressure only takes a few seconds to come up, so that's not an issue.

Letting an engine sit and idle for 5 mins is a bad thing as it can glaze cylinders in the long term.
Driving it straight away 'slowly' is the best way to let an engine warm up as the light loading allows it to warm up quicker.
It also allows the rest of the mechanicals also warm up, that is, gearbox, brakes, etc.
Don't rev the engine hard while it's warming up.

Rick.

EBXR · 12-02-2003, 18:29

I start and go, whether it is my '67 mustang or the XR6... I do take it very easy and let the car warm up on the road.

If I did let it warm up in my driveway, my neigbours wouldn't like me very much... my being a shift worker and starting at strange hours!

cArSiK · 12-02-2003, 18:36

same , i just start and go....aslong as your oil is good , dont worry....

Maby even try magnatec if your that concerned about it..

james

FoMoCo4eva · 12-02-2003, 21:01

hmm does this turn and go theory work for EA's as well ;-)

because I have always let it warm up for about 2 minutes, or untill atleast that tickin has calmed down. Is this a bad thing? I espicaily (sp?) do it on cold mornings. I work stupid hours so at 3-4 in the morning its usually pretty damn cold.

cArSiK · 12-02-2003, 22:17

heheh yep...my ED never ticks...may be becuase my oil dosne stay in there for more than 3500kms....

rex13bt · 12-02-2003, 23:19

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zantetsuken

Something that I have thought about for a while, but have never been given a definite answer on:

When I was a bit younger, with my first Ford, I remember going on a Fiat/Ferrari cruise with a friend. We jumped into his Ferrari, and sat in the driveway after starting the engine to let it warm up, before we left. He didn't hold back after that, but he said he liked to let the engine warm up.

The Ferrari in question was an older classic, so not sure if that had anything to do with it. I have always let the engine settle somewhat before driving.

Is this a good thing for your engine, or is it irelevant with today's engines? Can you just start and away you go?

Cheers...... Tim

Anti wear additives in oils don't become active until the oil has reached about 65 degrees. The quickest way of warming up your oil is by driving the car. You should drive at light throttle for about 20mins before giving it a hard time. Don't just look at the water temperature gauge.

With some Ferrari's they recommened you wait before driving, but I think it was because of shift issues with the gear box.

pauljh74 · 12-03-2003, 05:10

The older Lambos and Ferraris were wonderful cars when they had everything at operating temp on the track, but were cantankerous things when conditions weren't right like cold gearbox and engine oils. They weren't as happy trundling around town either. In the 90's these manufacturers were forced to make a more rounded car as cars like the Honda NSX brought supercar performance and ease of use together.

With Audi's influence, Lamborghini now have a car that is easy to drive and has the character and performance of a traditional Lamborghini.