Is it necessary to warm engine for 2 mins?

[newdriver]

someone told me it's better to keep the engine running idle for 2 mins to heat the oil before run on road, said higher oil temperature benefit to the lubricating effect.

but other said the engine can rapidly heat itself to the required temperature.

which one is correct?

thanks!

[fordel]

Jump in.

Start up.

Flog the crap out of it out of the car park.

It soon warms up in about a min or so

Chris

[FRA]

Originally Posted by fordel

Jump in.

Start up.

Flog the crap out of it out of the car park.

It soon warms up in about a min or so

Chris

your kidding me.
You should warm up your car even for a few mins.

[joe260]

yeah i wouldnt flod the crap out of it if its been sitting there overnight.. i always in the morning start my car up leave it running for bout 5 mins til im ready to go and yeah.. i dont flog it til its at the normal temp in between 1/4 and 1/2..
i dont think its any good to just start up and start driving.

[Piotr]

I drive it with revs between 2k to 3k while its cold and only when its at nominal temperature do I rev it to 6.

[Ives]

Very enthusiastic driver aren't you, Piotr.

I always warm up my car in the morning for 1 or 2 minutes. Here's what I normally do...

-Start the car and let it idle
-Put on shoes
-Drive out

[fordel]

My goodness...

You dont need that for all the new engines.

Mine is warm after 30 secs of normal driving

Get in start up and go

easy as

Old engines, yes warm them up for a couple mins

[Sov]

Yeah, get in, idle for ten seconds to get the oil up to pressure then drive off and take it easy for the first couple of minutes. Your gearbox or diff oil isn't going to get warm just sitting in the driveway idling.

[Perana]

It's actually worse for an engine to sit idling for a few mins than for it to be driven.

[FalconXR6]

Anyone care to bring fact to this discussion?

I would be interested in the answer too.

[zetec]

It goes harder when it's cold. I run harder off the lights when it's cold.

That's fact enough for me

[Stugots]

Once the gauge starts to move, you're ok to go. I usually keep the revs down though until it gets to about 1/4

[Stugots]

Originally Posted by zetec

It goes harder when it's cold. I run harder off the lights when it's cold.

That's fact enough for me

That's coz it idles higher with the autochoke plus the cooler intake system means better inducted air density. Gotta take those opportunities

[eXtremist]

You're only meant to let the engine idle for about 15 seconds to let the oil circulate around the engine, but don't flog the engine while its still cold.

You'll do more damage to your gearbox, than you would to your engine.

[Steffo]

My procedure...

Get in, start car.

Wait for temperature gauge to move from stone cold, turn on A/C, drive away normally. After its popped up a bit... it takes not even a minute to go all the way to normal temp. Process usually takes 1 - 3 minutes.

[scooby]

I've read in owners manuals for different makes of cars 1) let engine warm up for 20 seconds 2) don't idle engine for more than 5 minutes.
In the Fez, I let it warm up until the rpm's settle down to normal idle (750 - 800), usually 20 or 30 seconds, then drive off.

[blueoval]

I always warm up the car in the mornings for a minute or so. Only because the car is a bit sluggish until its at operating temperature.

But I never over rev the engine when cold. most revs is about 3k while still cold. I just take it easy until car is at operating temp.

[photn]

i turn car on. close house door. get in car drive to end of driveway. close gate. then drive like i normally do.
when i get to end of street. let first gear hit 6k just to get things going!

[newdriver]

Originally Posted by fordel

My goodness...

You dont need that for all the new engines.

Mine is warm after 30 secs of normal driving

Get in start up and go

easy as

Old engines, yes warm them up for a couple mins

Is it because new engines apply new technology? or just because its new?

[eXtremist]

I think its more to do with oil pressure.

[Perana]

It's mainly because new engines are EFi (better fuel metering) and we now have multigrade oils.

The reason to "warm up" the car by idling is because in the past there was only single grade oils that did not work wwhen it is cold. Also some would warm up the engine on a carbied vehicle if it is a pig to drive when cold.

Letting the car idle does not let the gearbox oil to heat up.

Your better off driving it sedately until operating temprature.

[newdriver]

Originally Posted by Perana XR8

It's mainly because new engines are EFi (better fuel metering) and we now have multigrade oils.

The reason to "warm up" the car by idling is because in the past there was only single grade oils that did not work wwhen it is cold. Also some would warm up the engine on a carbied vehicle if it is a pig to drive when cold.

Thanks, however checked Focus service guide it recommends use of SAE 5W-30 oil, is this single-grade?

Guess my car is using SAE 5w-30

[twistedfirey]

I hope all you guys revving the crap out of your cars have it paid off before you need a new car... Oh oh I think I'm starting to sound like my old man.

[Perana]

5W-30 is multigrade.

[zetec]

Originally Posted by twistedfirey

I hope all you guys revving the crap out of your cars have it paid off before you need a new car... Oh oh I think I'm starting to sound like my old man.

4 cylinders are made to rev. They love it. :

[More revs]

Drive sedately like BlackLS said neither overly long idle time or thrash from cold are great for an engine.

Be mechanicaly sypathetic and use common sense