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12-08-2009, 03:47 PM
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#1 | | RS.net, helping ugly ppl have sex since 2001
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| PSA: Don't "warm up" your car by idling!
Edit: I may have caused some confusion with throwing in "Cold weather". In retrospect, more accurately what I'm trying to say is to "not warm up the engine by idling regardless of temperature."
I'm not talking about warming up the car's interior or defrosting the windows, but the actual warming up of the engine, engine fluids and drivetrain.
Original post:
Not sure if this is common knowledge for those who know about cars, but in case there's some people out there who don't know about this...
Since the weather is getting colder, I've noticed my neighbours and friends "warming up" their engines and cooling system by idling in their driveway for 5 to 10 minutes before driving away.
Although they have good intentions and think this is good for the engine, in actuality it is NOT. Warming up the engine by idling is bad as it merely warms up specific parts of the engine and not the entire engine and all it's components (bearings, transmission, differential).
It can also cause unnecessary excessive wear to the engine block as moisture condenses in the cylinders instead of evaporating/burning off due to the temperature mis-match.
The best way to start your engines is to let it run in idle for 30 seconds to 1 minute to get the oil pressure up and flowing, then drive gently; i.e. keep it in the low RPMs. Once the water temp hits normal, THEN drive normally.
Personally, I wait a few more minutes after the water temp hits operating range before pushing it, to ensure oil temperature is also in operating range.
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Last edited by sonick; 12-09-2009 at 09:01 AM.
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12-08-2009, 03:58 PM
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#2 | | I contribute to threads in the offtopic forum
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Well sometimes i HAVE to idle it for a few minutes because my windows are all frosted. If the windows arn't frosted up, i just start it and go right away.
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12-08-2009, 04:02 PM
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#3 | | How I Mod your mother
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| Quote:
Originally Posted by TheSalesman Well sometimes i HAVE to idle it for a few minutes because my windows are all frosted. If the windows arn't frosted up, i just start it and go right away. | You could get out and scrape the frost off?
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12-08-2009, 04:06 PM
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#4 | | MOD
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Originally Posted by Coach Hines You could get out and scrape the frost off? | That is unheard of!
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12-08-2009, 04:18 PM
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#5 | | OMGWTFBBQ is a common word I say everyday
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| Quote:
Originally Posted by Coach Hines You could get out and scrape the frost off? | Quote:
Originally Posted by TRD604 That is unheard of! | I bought my friend an ice scraper/snow brush, because he didn't have one and would have to wait for his windows to clear before driving.
He was very happy with the present. 
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12-08-2009, 04:22 PM
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#6 | | I contribute to threads in the offtopic forum
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its too cold outside!
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12-08-2009, 04:25 PM
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#7 | | Media Officer / MOD
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I start it with my compustar pro, get to my car within a min and then drive off. Works wellas the heated seats get some time to warm before I climb in. Posted via RS Mobile | |
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12-08-2009, 04:35 PM
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#8 | | I told him no, what y'all do?
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| Quote:
Originally Posted by Coach Hines You could get out and scrape the frost off? | after i scrape it off, the windows start to fog up, so i still need time it to clear up or else i'd be driving blind. i've seen ppl do that before on their old cars. practically have to stick their head out their window like a dog to see lol
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12-08-2009, 04:38 PM
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#9 | | I contribute to threads in the offtopic forum
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Originally Posted by GLOW after i scrape it off, the windows start to fog up, so i still need time it to clear up or else i'd be driving blind. i've seen ppl do that before on their old cars. practically have to stick their head out their window like a dog to see lol | that also happens to me.
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12-08-2009, 04:55 PM
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#10 | | Banned (BBM)
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auto start for the win
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12-08-2009, 04:56 PM
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#11 | | RS.net, helping ugly ppl have sex since 2001
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My clutch releases slower when its cold.
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12-08-2009, 05:01 PM
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#12 | | Diagonally parked in a parallel universe
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I let it warm up until the rpms drop from 1500 to about 900 just after starting it... usually happens within 2 minutes
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12-08-2009, 05:06 PM
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#13 | | F**K YOUR HEAD
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I'm just wondering if warming up your car by idling is actually bad if your only intention is to warm up the interior of the car ie. butt warmers,defrost etc.
If you warm up the interior and then drive away after say 2 or 3 mins like a REGULAR person wouldn't that not cause any more damage than not idling the car for 2 or 3 mins?
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12-08-2009, 05:28 PM
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#14 | | RS.net, helping ugly ppl have sex since 2001
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Originally Posted by ilvtofu I'm just wondering if warming up your car by idling is actually bad if your only intention is to warm up the interior of the car ie. butt warmers,defrost etc.
If you warm up the interior and then drive away after say 2 or 3 mins like a REGULAR person wouldn't that not cause any more damage than not idling the car for 2 or 3 mins? | If the engine is not warm how would the interior be warm? Posted via RS Mobile | |
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12-08-2009, 05:44 PM
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#15 | | Hypa owned my ass at least once
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meh thats what auto starts for
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12-08-2009, 07:40 PM
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#16 | | Rs has made me the man i am today!
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| Quote:
Originally Posted by shenmecar My clutch releases slower when its cold. | same... i dont kno if its releasing slower or whatever but it feels different when its cold vs. after 10min of driving
anyone kno y?
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12-08-2009, 07:49 PM
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#17 | | Banned (ABWS)
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My gearbox is clunky when it's cold, doesn't like to go into gear, after 15 minutes of driving, it becomes much more smoother.
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12-08-2009, 07:59 PM
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#18 | | MOD
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i usually warm up for 1-2 mins before driving off.
could always put something on your windshield to prevent it from frosting up. I've seen some people use cardboard.
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12-08-2009, 08:12 PM
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#19 | | OWNER/C.F.O./MONEYMAN
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yup, i autostart for a few minutes, then hop in the car, and drive off slowly.
its not like i idle for a few minutes then race off!
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12-08-2009, 08:15 PM
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#20 | | F**K YOUR HEAD
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| Quote:
Originally Posted by sonick If the engine is not warm how would the interior be warm? Posted via RS Mobile | I don't know what car you drive but my engine does warm up when I idle in the morning because it is moving...
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12-08-2009, 08:27 PM
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#21 | | How I Mod your mother
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| Quote:
Originally Posted by GLOW after i scrape it off, the windows start to fog up, so i still need time it to clear up or else i'd be driving blind. i've seen ppl do that before on their old cars. practically have to stick their head out their window like a dog to see lol | Your windows would surely defog before all the frost on your windows melts off
It takes all of 10 seconds to scrape your front window, right?
Wow you guys are lazy 
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12-08-2009, 08:29 PM
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#22 | | My dinner reheated before my turbo spooled
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12-08-2009, 08:31 PM
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#23 | | RS.net, helping ugly ppl have sex since 2001
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^ if you OWN that car you'll get bored very soon.
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12-08-2009, 08:33 PM
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#24 | | Head Moderator
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Originally Posted by ilvtofu I don't know what car you drive but my engine does warm up when I idle in the morning because it is moving... | Yes... but because the RPM's are merely in the 900-1500 rpm range, it takes faaaaaaaaaaar longer for the engine to warm up than if the car was actually driving down the road. As such, physically driving the car warms up the interior much faster than just idling.
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12-08-2009, 08:57 PM
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#25 | | private modder
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lol I remember a few years back, i'd walk out, start the engine, crank up the heater/defrost, and go back inside. come back out 5 mins later, jump in and drive off. windows are defrosted and car is warm inside.
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