Warm or drive off?
Discussion
I've just bought a new car, and in order to be as kind to my little baby as possible, whenever I've been taking her out, I start her up and wait for the oil and water temperatures to lift off the needle, then take it easy for a few miles whilst she properly heats up before driving her properly.
I've just read the manual (I know, not a real bloke...) and it says not to start it and let it idle, but to drive off straight away.
Which one is the most appropriate and which camp does the PH massive belong to? I was always under the impression that, whenever possible, warm an engine up before taking it out, even on a low rev drive as the oil won't get into all the important places when it's cold and thick.
(apologies if this has been done before!)
I've just read the manual (I know, not a real bloke...) and it says not to start it and let it idle, but to drive off straight away.
Which one is the most appropriate and which camp does the PH massive belong to? I was always under the impression that, whenever possible, warm an engine up before taking it out, even on a low rev drive as the oil won't get into all the important places when it's cold and thick.
(apologies if this has been done before!)
The problem with letting it warm up by idling is that it allows fuel to get into the oil and, secondly, it takes longer to warm up this way - meaning more time spent in the "Condensation Zone".
It takes seconds, if that, for the oil to reach the moving parts so the best bet is to drive off straight away but take it easy (or at least refrain from thrashing it) until the temp gauge is reading normal.
It takes seconds, if that, for the oil to reach the moving parts so the best bet is to drive off straight away but take it easy (or at least refrain from thrashing it) until the temp gauge is reading normal.
V88Dicky said:
Ignore the guff in the manual about not running the engine before driving off, thats just the manufacturer being 'environ mentally responsible'. 
As long as you do not rev it before the oil is up to temp, your p+j will be fine
Surely idling the car means it spends the maximum possible time turning over, with cold oil?As long as you do not rev it before the oil is up to temp, your p+j will be fine
Personally I don't let mine idle for more than a few seconds before setting off.
C
i take it that you drive a BMW, the only manufacturer i have heard of that in the manual states to just drive from start up, unless there are others.
i doubt anyone has ever caused an issue with a car by letting it idle and warm up or letting it idle when warmed up (i.e sat in traffic for an hour), most engine wear is caused when the engine is cold.
i doubt anyone has ever caused an issue with a car by letting it idle and warm up or letting it idle when warmed up (i.e sat in traffic for an hour), most engine wear is caused when the engine is cold.
Edited by rb5230 on Friday 3rd December 17:33
Just start it up and give it some REVSSS like this chap:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ubLXZ28GkiU
Seriously though, gently drive off as soon as possible.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ubLXZ28GkiU
Seriously though, gently drive off as soon as possible.
Edited by FreeLitres on Friday 3rd December 17:46
rb5230 said:
i take it that you drive a BMW, the only manufacturer i have heard of that in the manual states to just drive from start up, unless there are others.
i doubt anyone has ever caused an issue with a car by letting it idle and warm up or letting it idle when warmed up (i.e sat in traffic for an hour), most engine wear is caused when the engine is cold.
I think my TT has that in the manual too.i doubt anyone has ever caused an issue with a car by letting it idle and warm up or letting it idle when warmed up (i.e sat in traffic for an hour), most engine wear is caused when the engine is cold.
Edited by rb5230 on Friday 3rd December 17:33
FreeLitres said:
Just start it up and give it some REVSSS like this chap:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ubLXZ28GkiU
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ubLXZ28GkiU
topless_mx5 said:
rb5230 said:
i take it that you drive a BMW, the only manufacturer i have heard of that says to just drive.
I'm sure I read in a Ferrari 456 manual (or maybe it was an MX5 manual) that you shouldn't let it idle. Something to do with not enough air flow perhaps?i dont know the science/technicalities of it but it seems like a complete non issue to me, has anyone every heard of a car suffering problems due to being let to idle for 10 mins before driving off?
rb5230 said:
i take it that you drive a BMW, the only manufacturer i have heard of that in the manual states to just drive from start up, unless there are others.
i doubt anyone has ever caused an issue with a car by letting it idle and warm up or letting it idle when warmed up (i.e sat in traffic for an hour), most engine wear is caused when the engine is cold.
Definatly says it in my dads merc manual and possibly my vw manual although cant be sure on that 'cause I cant be arsed goin out in the snow to check.i doubt anyone has ever caused an issue with a car by letting it idle and warm up or letting it idle when warmed up (i.e sat in traffic for an hour), most engine wear is caused when the engine is cold.
Edited by rb5230 on Friday 3rd December 17:33
Cheers.
I thought it was issues like at idle oil doesn't circulate well and unburnt petrol can wash the bores causing increased wear. (there was a thread on this recently in the TVR section)
(Damn can't find the thread)
Its not just BMW that say this its in the handbook for my Audi, Subaru and TVR. It was also in the book for my old V70, my G33 and Leon Cupra. Can't remember what other books have said.
So unless its a company car, I drive off almost immediately
(Damn can't find the thread)
Its not just BMW that say this its in the handbook for my Audi, Subaru and TVR. It was also in the book for my old V70, my G33 and Leon Cupra. Can't remember what other books have said.
So unless its a company car, I drive off almost immediately
ShiggyBiggs said:
rb5230 said:
i take it that you drive a BMW, the only manufacturer i have heard of that in the manual states to just drive from start up, unless there are others.
i doubt anyone has ever caused an issue with a car by letting it idle and warm up or letting it idle when warmed up (i.e sat in traffic for an hour), most engine wear is caused when the engine is cold.
Definatly says it in my dads merc manual and possibly my vw manual although cant be sure on that 'cause I cant be arsed goin out in the snow to check.i doubt anyone has ever caused an issue with a car by letting it idle and warm up or letting it idle when warmed up (i.e sat in traffic for an hour), most engine wear is caused when the engine is cold.
Edited by rb5230 on Friday 3rd December 17:33
Cheers.
blueg33 said:
I thought it was issues like at idle oil doesn't circulate well and unburnt petrol can wash the bores causing increased wear. (there was a thread on this recently in the TVR section)
(Damn can't find the thread)
Its not just BMW that say this its in the handbook for my Audi, Subaru and TVR. It was also in the book for my old V70, my G33 and Leon Cupra. Can't remember what other books have said.
So unless its a company car, I drive off almost immediately
it doesn`t say it in my Subaru manual, or my old focus st manual, or my other Subaru one, i will have a look in the manuals for my dads S4 and mums Merc when i get a chance I have only ever seen it in a BMW manual. But if it says it in an Audi manual then it goes without saying that it will say it in all the other Vag groups manuals.(Damn can't find the thread)
Its not just BMW that say this its in the handbook for my Audi, Subaru and TVR. It was also in the book for my old V70, my G33 and Leon Cupra. Can't remember what other books have said.
So unless its a company car, I drive off almost immediately
But like i said has idling a car ever actually caused anyones cars issues?
Emissions sound more like the reason.
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