Do you turn your car on and let it run before driving?

Give me you address and do the same routine tomorrow.

 

So you do need to let it idle, which I do. Modern engine or not, the fluids settle when the care sits, and a good 30 seconds of idling helps circulate the fluids and lubricants to the areas in the motor that need them.

 

Lmao!

 

you drive a 350??

that's sexy

 

You went out and started your car in the nude?

 

Both V8's are garage kept... sometimes I just put them in neutral to back out, then start them and go. Sometimes just start and go... takes about 30 seconds to go from garage, down the alley, to the street.


The thing I don't understand is why people in the line to pick up their kids at school leave their cars running for 15-20 minutes.


Why waste the gas?

 

Wait... so what's this thread about then?

 

damn, i miss high school.

 

I think the real issue with warming up the engine is the efficiency at which the air/fuel mixture burns. Modern engines have fairly accurate electronic fuel injections that adjusts the mixture on the fly, according on many factors including temperature. This is what a mechanic told me.

 

Royal Mounted Police???

 

I let it run for about 1 minute before I start to drive when it gets in the 30s in the night, then I just take it slow. Just dont floor it while the engine is still cold, lol.

 

I let it run for a couple of minutes.

I let it run for at least 5 minutes the last couple of days to let the defroster and heater kick in.

 

LMAO. Yes, now thats what I call high school.

 

I drive a Honda. I get it out of the driveway as quickly as possible after ignition, and don't shift under 6000 rpm to warm it up faster.

 

How long do you idle in the morning the last few days?

 

I turned on the car, then the defrost air in medium fan power to warm the inside and help the engine warm up with medium-to-high hot temperature, and the rear window defrost. The temperature gauge is way below C. I go back inside the house.

I come out again in about 1 to 2 minutes, and if the needle has moved past the C, I turned down the fan of the heater and drive. If it hasn't, I go back inside and do last-minute checks of lights in the house, pets OK, etc. When I came back, which was about 3 to 5 minutes after I turned on the car initially and the needle is past the C, so it's warm enough for me to drive.

During warmer weather, it may vary but it's only a few seconds... maybe 15 to 30 seconds of idling and the needle moves up to warmer faster.

I ALWAYS turn on the car and idle before driving it. I've been taught this by my grandfather (a great mechanic) and my father (knows cars very well) since I was younger, and also my father-in-law. My father-in-law is now driving a '94 Corolla I owned before owning this 2003 Corolla I have now. The '94 one has about 150k and it still runs well.

 

i try to let it run for a 15-30 seconds but not always. WHen i had my diesel i would definitely let that thing warm up in the winter for a good 5-10 minutes.


Another question...who turns off their AC before turning off their car? My dad always did that so i just picked it up and do it by instinct. I'm not sure if there is any benefit thought.

 

^^ Start another thread!

I have ALWAYS turned off the AC. It helps the compressor start working properly only AFTER the engine runs when you turn it on again. The belts will last longer if the engine was already running. You're supposed to wait longer, but now it's not needed as much as it was during the '80s and '90s because belts are made of different materials. You should still wait for the car to start before turning on the AC.

 

I heard it was a myth too and don't do it. But with my Vette I let it idle if its cold, if I don't it is liable to sputter out upon backing out of the driveway. So there has to be something to it, like y'all imply, especially with modern engines.