How long do you let your car warm up before driving off?

**drew4392** · 03-09-2012 10:37 PM

Curious to hear how long people wait before driving off in the morning. Or, after the car has been sitting for a number of hours.

I'm probably overly conservative. After starting, I let it sit for ~2-5 minutes before driving off. Then, I'm really easy until temps are normal... usually after 10-15 minutes. Then, I'll gradually get into higher RPMs before really winding her out.

Others say they simply start and go.

What do you do?

**jdgamble** · 03-09-2012 10:42 PM

Until idle drops to ~ 800 RPM then drive slow. Letting a gasoline engine idle for 5 minutes probably isn't good for it.

**tchuck** · 03-09-2012 10:48 PM

Originally Posted by drew4392

... After starting, I let it sit for ~2-5 minutes before driving off. Then, I'm really easy until temps are normal... usually after 10-15 minutes. Then, I'll gradually get into higher RPMs before really winding her out.

...

^That's how I roll.

**UmIsThisThingOn** · 03-09-2012 11:14 PM

From your owner's manual:

To avoid unnecessary engine wear and to reduce exhaust emissions, do not let your vehicle stand and warm up. Be ready to drive off immediately after starting your vehicle. Maintain moderate speed until the engine is completely warm. Remember, the engine performs best at operating temperature.

This is what I've always done.

**BRENZ06** · 03-09-2012 11:18 PM

Originally Posted by tchuck

^That's how I roll.

+2

**Psalm40** · 03-09-2012 11:32 PM

Start and go at a gentle pace. I let her warm up before increasing the RPM's significantly.

**CreoSTi** · 03-10-2012 12:09 AM

Originally Posted by UmIsThisThingOn

This is what I've always done.

+1

**Apex** · 03-10-2012 12:58 AM

I thought letting cars sit before warming up was applicable 2-3 decades ago before fuel injection became the norm.

**svander** · 03-10-2012 01:04 AM

Originally Posted by Apex

I thought letting cars sit before warming up was applicable 2-3 decades ago before fuel injection became the norm.

This.

On modern engines it's a waste of time and fuel and even a nuisance.

I have a neighbor that loves to do this to his brand new straightpiped mustang every morning when he goes to work. Not cool.

**throwaway1** · 03-10-2012 01:31 AM

Idling isn't good for the car or emissions. A quick warmup by driving almost as soon as you turn it on (i usually wait until the radio comes on) without using excessive rpms is best for the engine.

**NWS4Guy** · 03-10-2012 05:51 AM

Yep, get in and drive right off. Keep revs under 3K till oil temp gets over 180, then let her rip.

**MadConan** · 03-10-2012 06:54 AM

Originally Posted by NWS4Guy

Yep, get in and drive right off. Keep revs under 3K till oil temp gets over 180, then let her rip.

Ditto. As long as you take it easy for the first few minutes of driving, you aren't getting any benefit from letting it sit to warm up. If anything, you're warming up the engine while the transmission remains cold, leaving the transmission open to excess wear. Driving it in a nice, easy manner for a bit will help bring everything up to temp evenly.

**FatalBert** · 03-10-2012 07:02 AM

was always told to let the oil come up, so idle for about 20 seconds, then take it easy until shes warmed up. I just do what they said in earlier posts and wait for the rpms to drop to 800 before pulling out. If I instantly start driving then I notice the rpm rise on their own (to around 1500k if say I am reversing using just the clutch) which doesn't give me a good feeling. That doesn't happen if I wait until the needle drops down before going. But I guess you can just pull right out after starting as others have said.

5 minutes is way too much. You shouldn't be waiting more than a minute to start moving.

The car should be warm within 5-7 minutes of driving. 10-15 minutes seems oddly long.

**tribe** · 03-10-2012 07:12 AM

Originally Posted by NWS4Guy

Yep, get in and drive right off. Keep revs under 3K till oil temp gets over 180, then let her rip.

+1 There is no benefit in letting it idle. It used to be necessary in cold weather with carburetor cars but not anymore

**tchuck** · 03-10-2012 01:20 PM

Having the heater blowing warm air when you get into the car is a pretty awesome benefit...

**helix139** · 03-10-2012 01:36 PM

It's better just to drive it off rather than sit still. Just take it easy on the throttle until the oil temp and pressure comes up.

**Kano** · 03-10-2012 01:41 PM

Originally Posted by NWS4Guy

Yep, get in and drive right off. Keep revs under 3K till oil temp gets over 180, then let her rip.

How long does this take? Does the oil temp get to 180 before the coolant temp gets up to temperature? I've been wondering how to tell what my oil temp is....

**Dasquade** · 03-10-2012 02:08 PM

Start - drive normal untill oil temp is normal - drive like your car is supposed to be driven (depends on driver :p ).
Afaik, audi - vw (lastest models) are known for heating up fast to operators temps. Not sure about other cars but though i read that somewhere. I guess most decent cars are build to get quicker to normal temps then 10-15 years ago. Just use common sense but don't baby it.

Heck, it is sad to say, but many people forget that before you get your new car in hands, it has already been driven be several other people. Not because they love 'your' car but because it is their work and like most times, time is money. Guess i don't have to say more...

@Kano: Maybe i'm mistaken but isn't the dial on the dash on the left your oil temp? Mine is on temp (normal driving) after a good 3 minutes i think or 6-8km i think...

**UmIsThisThingOn** · 03-10-2012 02:18 PM

Originally Posted by Kano

How long does this take? Does the oil temp get to 180 before the coolant temp gets up to temperature? I've been wondering how to tell what my oil temp is....

I think you can enable the oil temp gauge to show in your DIS through the hidden menu.

Originally Posted by Dasquade

... @Kano: Maybe i'm mistaken but isn't the dial on the dash on the left your oil temp? Mine is on temp (normal driving) after a good 3 minutes i think or 6-8km i think...

That's the coolant temp gauge.

Edit: found the oil temp link - basically it appears when you enable the lap timer.
http://www.audizine.com/forum/showth...Timer-Oil-Temp

**Waxxon** · 03-10-2012 02:23 PM

Originally Posted by Kano

How long does this take? Does the oil temp get to 180 before the coolant temp gets up to temperature? I've been wondering how to tell what my oil temp is....

I've been wondering the same.

**NWS4Guy** · 03-10-2012 02:27 PM

Originally Posted by Kano

How long does this take? Does the oil temp get to 180 before the coolant temp gets up to temperature? I've been wondering how to tell what my oil temp is....

VCDS mod to enable lap timer adds oil temp to the DIS. Typically under normal driving, after the coolant needle gets to temp and stops climbing, it's another 5 min for the oil when it's 40-50 degrees outside.

**Waxxon** · 03-10-2012 02:40 PM

Originally Posted by NWS4Guy

VCDS mod to enable lap timer adds oil temp to the DIS. Typically under normal driving, after the coolant needle gets to temp and stops climbing, it's another 5 min for the oil when it's 40-50 degrees outside.

Well crap; I've always let the fun commence once my coolant temp got to normal...

Knowing this, as I only live 1.5 miles from work, this time of year my car probably never even reaches operating temp

**IanVr6** · 03-10-2012 02:43 PM

I wait at least until idle which is like 15-20 secs. Then keep it under 2-3K RPMs until warm, then drive it hard.

**tofuking** · 03-10-2012 03:04 PM

about 2 seconds...

**tryengel** · 03-10-2012 03:36 PM

Originally Posted by drew4392

Curious to hear how long people wait before driving off in the morning. Or, after the car has been sitting for a number of hours.

Others say they simply start and go. What do you do?

My feeling is that it's always best to drive off immediately - under light load, easy throttle. You need to drive about 20 miles before your engine is, thermodynamically, ready for "complete combustion." When combustion is incomplete, especially when cold and idling, you are creating a gallon of water for every gallon of gasoline you burn. Most of it goes out the exhaust as vapor but a lot of it gets condenses in the crankcase and mixes with your oil forming acids - first sulfurous acid, then sulfuric acid. Not good struff. Regardless of how cold the ambient tempteratures are or how long the car has been sitting I drive off immediately - abeit without putting much of a load on the motor.

**OKS4** · 03-10-2012 03:41 PM

Originally Posted by IanVr6

I wait at least until idle which is like 15-20 secs. Then keep it under 2-3K RPMs until warm, then drive it hard.

^^^^ +1 what he said

**audiblitz** · 03-10-2012 04:13 PM

Don't warm it up - run it into the red line straight away. Lease ftw.

**tomh009** · 03-10-2012 04:25 PM

Originally Posted by tryengel

My feeling is that it's always best to drive off immediately - under light load, easy throttle. You need to drive about 20 miles before your engine is, thermodynamically, ready for "complete combustion." When combustion is incomplete, especially when cold and idling, you are creating a gallon of water for every gallon of gasoline you burn. Most of it goes out the exhaust as vapor but a lot of it gets condenses in the crankcase and mixes with your oil forming acids - first sulfurous acid, then sulfuric acid. Not good struff. Regardless of how cold the ambient tempteratures are or how long the car has been sitting I drive off immediately - abeit without putting much of a load on the motor.

I agree with this. So does Audi.

And on top of that, extended idling is actually illegal in a lot of cities now. The Toronto bylaw limits idling to 60 seconds ...

**Waxxon** · 03-10-2012 04:27 PM

Originally Posted by audiblitz

Don't warm it up - run it into the red line straight away. Lease ftw.

Just can't bring myself to do this sort of thing. Even if I don't end up keeping the car, I just like knowing I took care of it as best I could while I had it.

**NWS4Guy** · 03-10-2012 05:56 PM

Originally Posted by Waxxon

Well crap; I've always let the fun commence once my coolant temp got to normal...

Knowing this, as I only live 1.5 miles from work, this time of year my car probably never even reaches operating temp

Ugh, you are likely to have issues with CB before anyone else. Lack of getting the engine up to good temps helps contribute to CB.

**Seinsmeld13** · 03-10-2012 08:57 PM

I start the car. Place it in dynamic. Put on my seatbelt and go. So 2-3 seconds. I drive the car gingerly until it reaches normal operating temperature. Then I place her in manual for the rest of the drive. If it is extremely cold which happens a few times per year I will let her warm up usually long enough to clear the windows. When your car is idling you are getting 0 mpg.

**ENV²** · 03-10-2012 09:16 PM

I start her up and let the Rpms do the initial drop under 1k usually 1min and then drive under 3k til she gets up to temp

**Kano** · 03-10-2012 11:24 PM

Originally Posted by NWS4Guy

VCDS mod to enable lap timer adds oil temp to the DIS. Typically under normal driving, after the coolant needle gets to temp and stops climbing, it's another 5 min for the oil when it's 40-50 degrees outside.

Exactly the info I was looking for. So the coolant temp comes up first. I'm a bit irked that you need to enable the oil temp readout from a hidden menu. WTF Audi.

**svander** · 03-11-2012 01:06 AM

Originally Posted by audiblitz

Don't warm it up - run it into the red line straight away. Lease ftw.

Karma. It will find you.

**throwaway1** · 03-11-2012 01:17 AM

^Haha. I agree. I will be selling my S4 in about 3 months. But I still can't treat it with anything less than upmost care.

**tomh009** · 03-11-2012 04:25 AM

Originally Posted by svander

Karma. It will find you.

Yeah. And you're not even screwing an anonymous corporation by mistreating your S4, you're screwing the next owner of your car. Why would you want to do that?

**NWS4Guy** · 03-11-2012 07:49 AM

Originally Posted by Kano

Exactly the info I was looking for. So the coolant temp comes up first. I'm a bit irked that you need to enable the oil temp readout from a hidden menu. WTF Audi.

Yes, the thermostat keeps the coolant from flowing out of the engine until the coolant is up to temp. I agree it should be there, but it's a quick fix for anyone you can ask for doing it with their cable and laptop.