Is engine warm-up really necessary?

[35Remmy]

This is another subject of great contention, but I wanted to get some opinions. Is warming up your engine before you take off really necessary? I have read material that states that any longer than 45 seconds is unnecessary and a waste of gas.

I've ALWAYS been religious at warming up...in the military, I couldn't do my daily operational checks until the engines were at a certain temperature. On a -0 degree day, it could take a while...we'd leave them out of gear and revving at say 2500 to get to the desire temperature more quickly.

 

[wrigley_1285]

I usually don't wait any longer than it takes to decide what CD I want to listen to.

 

[sjr033]

^x2 I usually light a cig and pick a cd, then off like a prom dress. Unless it is cold out I usually let it warm up whill I scrap the windows.

 

[JMan689]

It doesn't matter, either way the vehicle is running below operating tempterature. Just try not to beat on it while its still cold.

 

[Buffalosports]

The only reason I let the engine warm is so the car heats up faster when I get in it. I live in Buffalo, gets pretty cold some mornings

 

[muzzymaniac]

I normally give it a minute or two with the ol remote start - longer if it's real cold or icy. Then a gentle drive till it gets warm. Anything more is a waste.

 

[James909]

From what I've heard it's only necessary to let it warm up for 30-60 seconds, just to give the oil some time to circulate. What I usually do is hit the remote start button then put on my shoes and go as soon as I'm ready. Then I just drive gently until the temp gauge gets in the normal zone.

 

[Willard]

Same as everyone else, a warm-up more than a couple minutes just isn't necessary, unless you're waiting for heat. Even still, 5 minutes down the road it should start getting warm.

 

[35Remmy]

BUFFALO, I'm in Binghamton...we get a little cold, too!!!

I've just never seen concrete evidence which showed that warming up to normal operating temperature had a significant impact on the longevity of the engine.

I've always done it...at the same time I'm thinking, dam**t, idling is no good, either!

 

[Bill Kemp]

Engine warms up faster under load (accelerating) than it does at idle.
By the time you put you seat belt on and set the coffee in the holder ect. your ready to go.
With gas prices now a long idle warm up is a real waste.

 

[MadExplorer93]

I usually allow the engine to warm up for about 2-5 min before i go out.

 

[MountaineerGreen]

Mine warms up from the time my hand leaves the ignition and grabs the gearshift. Maybe even a little longer if its really cold, like say 20*

 

[general x]

When it's cold I let my engine heat up for a few mins before taking off. After seeing how thick dino 5W30 is at -30 celcius and knowing I was starting my truck and driving right off the bat in -40 the year before I kinda figured the warm up is good for the engine by oil standards alone (Switched to synthetic a week later) If its warm enough that I aint shivering when I go outside I dont let it warm up thou. Hard to say if starting and going is better/worse for the engine ...On one hand, your putting more stress on the components and breaking through your oil barrier faster by starting and going if the oils too thick....on the other hand, while theres less stress on everything by idling, your taking longer to warm oil up to better protect the componentry... Once apon a time I was told that cylender walls oval from too much idling but I have no idea what to make of that....I've been told by many people that its better to leave a diesel running than to shut it off in cold weather and back where I used to live on cold nights we just left the trucks running all night long (but thats cuz they wouldnt start if you shut them off xP)

*shrugs*