Does a Porsche need warming up?
Discussion
Just taken the plunge and bought myself a 996 turbo- which I'm enjoying rather a lot at the moment. But I wondered if anybody new if it is recomended to let the engine warm up first i.e. letting it idle and if so for how long.
Also on the same note is it best to let it cool down as well?
Also on the same note is it best to let it cool down as well?
As with any car, it's always good advice to let the oil get up to operating temperature before driving it like it's stolen.
This will normally take 10-15mins depending on how your journey starts. Always puzzled me why Porsche stopped including an oil temp guage in the binnacle, so the only real way to be sure is regular checks after starting off from cold to know how long it takes. You can keep checking the oil level via the on board computer to clarify (at a standstill at traffic lights say), it'll tell if it's not up to temp but will give you a reading if it is.
For cooling down, no issues under normal driving but, if you've been trying to shake off the local constabulary then it's always good to drive the last couple of miles not at attack speed, to let things cool down that way. Much better with airflow rather than sat idling away.
This will normally take 10-15mins depending on how your journey starts. Always puzzled me why Porsche stopped including an oil temp guage in the binnacle, so the only real way to be sure is regular checks after starting off from cold to know how long it takes. You can keep checking the oil level via the on board computer to clarify (at a standstill at traffic lights say), it'll tell if it's not up to temp but will give you a reading if it is.
For cooling down, no issues under normal driving but, if you've been trying to shake off the local constabulary then it's always good to drive the last couple of miles not at attack speed, to let things cool down that way. Much better with airflow rather than sat idling away.
supersport said:
RTFM
I'm guessing he's a bloke so this advice is incorrect.
As has been said, drive gently from startup until engine oil is warm but not to sit with car idling.
To find out whether the oil on a 996 turbo is warm yet, use the on-board computer for the oil level:
- If the oil is cold, the message will read "oil not warm" (or something)
- If the oil is up to temp, the message will read "vehicle must be stationary to measure oil level" (or something)
I understand it's good practice to also let the turbos cool after any particularly hard drive (just drive gently for the last mile or so).
monthefish said:
supersport said:
RTFM
I'm guessing he's a bloke so this advice is incorrect.
As has been said, drive gently from startup until engine oil is warm but not to sit with car idling.
To find out whether the oil on a 996 turbo is warm yet, use the on-board computer for the oil level:
- If the oil is cold, the message will read "oil not warm" (or something)
- If the oil is up to temp, the message will read "vehicle must be stationary to measure oil level" (or something)
I understand it's good practice to also let the turbos cool after any particularly hard drive (just drive gently for the last mile or so).
nicksclark said:
Thanks for the great repsonses- its good to know. I didn't see anything in the manual but will have a look again. Its been a dream to own one for a while and I don't want to do something stupid!
nicksclark said:
Just taken the plunge and bought myself a 996 turbo- which I'm enjoying rather a lot at the moment. But I wondered if anybody new if it is recomended to let the engine warm up first i.e. letting it idle and if so for how long.
Also on the same note is it best to let it cool down as well?
Well, I let my Turbo (and my Boxster too, all car engines in fact) warm up a bit before driving off.Also on the same note is it best to let it cool down as well?
In the case of the Turbo I let the engine idle until the idle speed drops and the engine smooths out.
I do this to based on my info to reduce the wear/tear on the variable valve lift hardware. While Porsche has tested this to some ungodly number of activations/deactivation cycles I like to give this hardware extra help to last a long long time.
Also, with a bit of idling before taking off the engine is a bit more tractable and easier to drive smoothly. Not oodles better, but somewhat better. Same for the Boxster. Both engines like a bit of heat.
And before I give either engine the cane I make sure to drive long enough the engine has been at operating temperature for minutes. Even though the coolant temp gage needle may reach what looks to be operating temperature the gage can be a bit misleading. And oil temperature lags behind coolant temperature so I wait until the engine is up to temp and then continue to wait some more time before I push the engine hard.
Also, for both cars I let the engine idle some before shutting it off. The Turbo manual calls for IIRC 2 minutes of idle time though I think there's something in there about hard driving to let the turbos shed some heat. They are oil and air cooled and once the engine is shut off oil and air (cooler exhaust "air") flows stop flowing.
Now it depends. If I've been driving on city streets for a bit and not working the engine hard I might let the engine idle just a minute. But if I've just left the freeway, pulling into a gas station to fuel up I'll let the engine idle 2 minutes before I shut off the engine and refuel.
Rockster said:
Well, I let my Turbo (and my Boxster too, all car engines in fact) warm up a bit before driving off.
In the case of the Turbo I let the engine idle until the idle speed drops and the engine smooths out.
I do this to based on my info to reduce the wear/tear on the variable valve lift hardware. While Porsche has tested this to some ungodly number of activations/deactivation cycles I like to give this hardware extra help to last a long long time.
Also, with a bit of idling before taking off the engine is a bit more tractable and easier to drive smoothly. Not oodles better, but somewhat better. Same for the Boxster. Both engines like a bit of heat.
And before I give either engine the cane I make sure to drive long enough the engine has been at operating temperature for minutes. Even though the coolant temp gage needle may reach what looks to be operating temperature the gage can be a bit misleading. And oil temperature lags behind coolant temperature so I wait until the engine is up to temp and then continue to wait some more time before I push the engine hard.
Also, for both cars I let the engine idle some before shutting it off. The Turbo manual calls for IIRC 2 minutes of idle time though I think there's something in there about hard driving to let the turbos shed some heat. They are oil and air cooled and once the engine is shut off oil and air (cooler exhaust "air") flows stop flowing.
Now it depends. If I've been driving on city streets for a bit and not working the engine hard I might let the engine idle just a minute. But if I've just left the freeway, pulling into a gas station to fuel up I'll let the engine idle 2 minutes before I shut off the engine and refuel.
Well bugger me. Every time I read one of your posts, in my head I always read it with an American accent.(Does that make sense).In the case of the Turbo I let the engine idle until the idle speed drops and the engine smooths out.
I do this to based on my info to reduce the wear/tear on the variable valve lift hardware. While Porsche has tested this to some ungodly number of activations/deactivation cycles I like to give this hardware extra help to last a long long time.
Also, with a bit of idling before taking off the engine is a bit more tractable and easier to drive smoothly. Not oodles better, but somewhat better. Same for the Boxster. Both engines like a bit of heat.
And before I give either engine the cane I make sure to drive long enough the engine has been at operating temperature for minutes. Even though the coolant temp gage needle may reach what looks to be operating temperature the gage can be a bit misleading. And oil temperature lags behind coolant temperature so I wait until the engine is up to temp and then continue to wait some more time before I push the engine hard.
Also, for both cars I let the engine idle some before shutting it off. The Turbo manual calls for IIRC 2 minutes of idle time though I think there's something in there about hard driving to let the turbos shed some heat. They are oil and air cooled and once the engine is shut off oil and air (cooler exhaust "air") flows stop flowing.
Now it depends. If I've been driving on city streets for a bit and not working the engine hard I might let the engine idle just a minute. But if I've just left the freeway, pulling into a gas station to fuel up I'll let the engine idle 2 minutes before I shut off the engine and refuel.
Just checked your id .............. and you are an American.
Weird or what. Or is that just me?
Rockster said:
Even though the coolant temp gage needle may reach what looks to be operating temperature the gage can be a bit misleading. And oil temperature lags behind coolant temperature so I wait until the engine is up to temp and then continue to wait some more time before I push the engine hard.
Why not just check it? Saves unnecesarry waiting.On turbo cars, a cooling down period is essential.
However, it's easy peasy, just pootle along without the turbo spinning up for the last mile or so.
Warming up is even more important. I drive off immediately, very gently and build up the pressure I put on the engine over about 10 minutes.
Rockster - I am sure I have read that it is bad practice to leave a cold engine idling and that they should be warmed up driving.
However, it's easy peasy, just pootle along without the turbo spinning up for the last mile or so.
Warming up is even more important. I drive off immediately, very gently and build up the pressure I put on the engine over about 10 minutes.
Rockster - I am sure I have read that it is bad practice to leave a cold engine idling and that they should be warmed up driving.
Rockster said:
I do this to based on my info to reduce the wear/tear on the variable valve lift hardware. While Porsche has tested this to some ungodly number of activations/deactivation cycles I like to give this hardware extra help to last a long long time.
Out of interest, what help does it need and why?Bert
Never EVER let the engine idle when you start it from cold.
Many many years ago the manufacturers learned that this increases engine wear. That's why in the (older only?) manuals for every car it states 'Start the car and drive away immediately...
Why?
Once started the engine is running but the temperature gradient is high. There are a few minutes when some parts are cold and other bits are hot, and you need to get out of this phase as quickly as possible.
i.e. SOME OF the pieces of metal in the engine are at the wrong sizes, due to (lack of) thermal expansion.
If you leave the engine running when stationary, it is going to warm up very slowly and you will stay in this phase for a long time. If you just drive off, then the engine does more work and you will warm everything up quicker.
Also air-flow over the engine helps to even-out temperature variation sooner.
Many many years ago the manufacturers learned that this increases engine wear. That's why in the (older only?) manuals for every car it states 'Start the car and drive away immediately...
Why?
Once started the engine is running but the temperature gradient is high. There are a few minutes when some parts are cold and other bits are hot, and you need to get out of this phase as quickly as possible.
i.e. SOME OF the pieces of metal in the engine are at the wrong sizes, due to (lack of) thermal expansion.
If you leave the engine running when stationary, it is going to warm up very slowly and you will stay in this phase for a long time. If you just drive off, then the engine does more work and you will warm everything up quicker.
Also air-flow over the engine helps to even-out temperature variation sooner.
Orangecurry said:
Never EVER let the engine idle when you start it from cold.
Many many years ago the manufacturers learned that this increases engine wear. That's why in the (older only?) manuals for every car it states 'Start the car and drive away immediately...
Why?
Once started the engine is running but the temperature gradient is high. There are a few minutes when some parts are cold and other bits are hot, and you need to get out of this phase as quickly as possible.
i.e. SOME OF the pieces of metal in the engine are at the wrong sizes, due to (lack of) thermal expansion.
If you leave the engine running when stationary, it is going to warm up very slowly and you will stay in this phase for a long time. If you just drive off, then the engine does more work and you will warm everything up quicker.
Also air-flow over the engine helps to even-out temperature variation sooner.
Correct.Many many years ago the manufacturers learned that this increases engine wear. That's why in the (older only?) manuals for every car it states 'Start the car and drive away immediately...
Why?
Once started the engine is running but the temperature gradient is high. There are a few minutes when some parts are cold and other bits are hot, and you need to get out of this phase as quickly as possible.
i.e. SOME OF the pieces of metal in the engine are at the wrong sizes, due to (lack of) thermal expansion.
If you leave the engine running when stationary, it is going to warm up very slowly and you will stay in this phase for a long time. If you just drive off, then the engine does more work and you will warm everything up quicker.
Also air-flow over the engine helps to even-out temperature variation sooner.
Oil temp gauges very useful, even early cayennes had it.
Orangecurry said:
If you leave the engine running when stationary, it is going to warm up very slowly and you will stay in this phase for a long time. If you just drive off, then the engine does more work and you will warm everything up quicker.
Also air-flow over the engine helps to even-out temperature variation sooner.
But by doing this you are increasing the rate of mating parts while loading them at the same time when cold, i.e. not at running temp size?Also air-flow over the engine helps to even-out temperature variation sooner.
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