by CaRbOnPrOdUcK is Baccuss on August 6th, 2009

CaRbOnPrOdUcK is  Baccuss

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Is it best to warm up your engine before taking off in the car or does it really matter?

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  • by Spacys back on August 6th, 2009

    Spacys back

    If you take off before my engine is all warmed up you tend to meet with resistance when entering +7

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  • by DixieRock on August 6th, 2009

    DixieRock

    I warm mine up for a few minutes when it is cold, but in the summer I just let it run for a minute to give the engine time to get the oil moving into the cylinders.

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  • by FaceNthaBackground on August 6th, 2009

    FaceNthaBackground

    Only when it's cold. Like freezing outside. It makes it easier on your engine.

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  • by Jim in a Nautilus COAT on August 6th, 2009

    Jim in a Nautilus COAT

    Most modern engines will do just fine without warmup so long as you don't push them for the first few minutes of driving. But if you have a safe place to run the car and it's really cold, it's nice to warm it to the point the heater starts taking the chill out of the car's interior.

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  • by dumdum on August 7th, 2009

    dumdum

    As others have stated when cold it is a good idea, however what some forget is that just because the inside of the car and the engine is now warm the bulk of the car is still cold and stiff - suspension, ball joints and assorted linkages still should needed to be driven with care as they too need to be used / warmed slowly. +5

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  • by john pennington on August 7th, 2009

    john pennington

    Absolutely.

    Your cars engine, overnight, loses its motor oil. it drains to the bottom of the engine and there is no oil to protect moving parts inside your engine the next morning.

    Start a cold engine and taking off leaves engine parts unprotected. a 3 minute warmup will prevent this. motor oil will coat the engines inside parts and your engine will have fewer maintenance problems and last much longer.

    I do this each day.

    Compare your cars engine to a human heart.

    Do you wake up and instantly go for a 5 mile run? no, you could have a stoke and possibly cause damage to your heart. you have to warm your body before running. the same applies to your cars engine.

    3 minute warmup could prevent a future breakdown on the interstate.

    Your car will thank you for it.

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  • by LarryH54 on August 6th, 2009

    LarryH54

    It's always a good idea to warm it up for 20-30 seconds before driving, just so your oil pressure is up to snuff. But a 20 min warmup is a waste of gas under any circumstance.

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  • by Anonymous on September 25th, 2009

    Anonymous

    It is not necessary, according to most mechanics I know; remember: Egg under the gas pedal. ;)

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  • by Dr.Feelgood on August 29th, 2009

    Dr.Feelgood

    The most important factor to remember is not to romp on the gas until the engine has reached normal operating temperature. Unless the oil has been properly circulated throughout the engine you will only cause unnessecary wear on your cylinder walls.

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  • by Possum on August 7th, 2009

    Possum

    According to "Car Talk", National Public Radio's car information show, it is not necessary to warm your car up unless it's been out for hours in really cold (like 0 degee weather). However, this assumes that you can drive at a moderate speed (30-45) for a few minutes. Think of your getting up in the morning-the best way to get warmed up is to get moving. However, do wait long enough for the lights to go off.
    Another hint-turn off your blower/air conditioner before you turn off, or at least before you turn on you ignition and give the car minute to get the juices flowing before you turn in on.

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  • by Starwalker on August 7th, 2009

    Starwalker

    It is always good for the engine and battery life as well.+5

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  • by strange1 still in pb on August 6th, 2009

    strange1 still in pb

    not so much any more due to lubricant technology, BUT did you know that the pistons are egg-ish shaped when they are cold? this is corrected at the proper running temp and is caused by the con rod bearing housing{little end}so dont give it any crap for a good 10 mins, is your jag a 6 or 12 cyl?

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  • by Maximum Displacement on November 29th, 2009

    Maximum Displacement

    Ther is NO substitute for warm oil. NEVER wrap your engine up over 4,000 rpm before your oil is warm. Doesn't matter what anyone tells you. Beating on your motor while it is cold is the WORST thing you can do to your vehicle. Except for running out of oil. lol

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  • by -NUNYA-- on October 25th, 2009

    -NUNYA--

    I've heard in the cold cold weather it is best to let them warm up! I do it once the temp. reaches the low 30's, 5-10 mins. but in the teens and with a cold cold windchill I will let it warm up for 15-20 mins. And sometimes if it gets into the teens I plug it in. I have a block heater which helps it out. +5

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  • by bazza on August 7th, 2009

    bazza

    When you were a girl, it did pay to warm your motor up first. Gawd, this sounds like a sex talk for the kids) Nowadays, with all the gear ( brain has died for a couple of hours, so can't name them) you don't really have to warm them up. Turn the key, if the motor starts and all the pretty little lights on the dash go out, you are ready to roll.

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  • by bagicide stayed 10 months too long on October 25th, 2009

    bagicide stayed 10 months too long

    I'd say that depends on a lot of factors. The problem with running a cold engine is that oil thickens and gels in the oil pan when the engine is cold and it has to warm up a bit before it flows through the engine properly. While the engine is warming, it is basically unlubricated and this is where much of engine wear takes place.

    However, it really doesn't amount to a hill of beans whether it is warming up while sitting still or warming up while moving slowly, as long as you don't stress the engine heavily by stomping the gas or pulling a heavy load. Either way, the engine is still running unlubricated.

    Now, several factors might influence the warm-up, however. If you are up in Nunya's neck of the woods, it might be cold enough to seriously gel the oil, and it might not ever get warm enough to flow if you are moving that - 30 degree air around the oil pan or dragging the oil pan through snow. You might need to sit still in a sheltered garage in order to get the engine warm enough to get that oil moving. If you are running a heavier oil in your engine as I am, because the engine is old and leaking, you might also have to wait a moment to get the engine warm enough. Also, and I'm no expert in oils here, but I believe modern additives in oil stick to engine parts to give them a little lubrication in a cold start.

  • by roiboysatx on October 25th, 2009

    roiboysatx

    cars made years ago it mattered. cars made within the last 10 or probably more years it doesn't. would not floor it though, drive normally.

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