opinions on warming up your car before driving - Ford Forums - Mustang Forum, Ford Trucks, Ford Focus and Ford Cars

blueoval · 07-08-2003, 18:10

Ok this thread is designed to ask the opinions of those that warm up their cars before driving off.

Do you warm up your car for 5 mins or are you the type of person who doesnt bother or dont have time to do such things?

Myself, I do religiously. Not because I was told to but because I find my car drives better when it is warm. IMHO I think it helps the car in the long run, for the fact that the materials in your engine are stone cold and need time to generate heat and expand. (Correct me if I'm wrong)

XWGT · 07-08-2003, 18:21

Yep always warm it up.
Only takes 2 mins and cant hurt

blueoval · 07-08-2003, 18:31

Thats what I reckon too XWGT, I feel pretty crap too when I wake up cold in the morning so I feel that the car would too.
I find it annoying seeing my mum pull out of her driveway in her 98 celica, stone cold and floors it down the road. Mate I shake my head everytime I see that, and also anyone else for that matter.

Does anyone know what harm it causes for a cold engine when driven sternly while cold?

Soxx · 07-08-2003, 18:55

It's a common misconception that driving away immediately (gently) will hurt the engine. Simple fact, it won't.
Driving away immediately and giving it a hard time, will be bad. Fact.

Warming the engine up for a few minutes 'could' actually be worse for the engine than driving away gently because of cylinder glazing.
All engines like to be used and under load, not idling.

It also doesn't warm up any other part of the vehicle, IE, gearbox, diff, and brakes.

Driving off gently is certainly the most sensible way to use any car. It will warm the engine in a desirable way, and it will also warm up the rest of the drivetrain accordingly.
Many manufactures now encourage this method.

If a vehicle is difficult to drive immediately, then a minute or so warm will be ok, but only warm it stationary as long as necessary.

Rick.

Hot Ef · 07-08-2003, 19:08

it seems that when i drive my car cold, (softly also), the transmission doesnt feel happy changing into gears, and seems to take a lot longer to change into overdrive. is this because it hasnt heated and hasnt expanded yet???

Soxx · 07-08-2003, 19:43

Hot EF:
It could be because the oil is a little thicker when cold.
Perhaps it needs an oil change, and with better quality oil.

Rick.

VH-PBC · 07-08-2003, 19:46

In case you haven't heard yet but did you know that 75% of most engine wear occurs within the first 10 minutes of driving?

Soxx · 07-08-2003, 20:00

Spaniard:
No question, however warming up doesn't alleviate this.
The engine is still wearing regardless of whether the vehicle is moving or not.

Driving off straight away, does however let the engine warm up quicker, and keeps it under light load, which is a good thing.

Rick.

VH-PBC · 07-08-2003, 20:10

It's mostly because of cold starting that that fact arises from

carazy · 07-08-2003, 22:56

na thats just crap to make you buy magnatec oil mate.
Your motor has metal running against metal doesn't matter what you do it will wear weather it's idleing or driving.
It makes no differance weather or not you warm the car up just don't go bouncing it off the rev limiter till the car reaches operating temperature.
Read your car manual they do not want you to warm it up at all.