Hey guys, a quick question/survey... What is your idealing rule?? When you guys start up your car do you let it ideal for a certain period of time. I have heard multiple things. Let the car ideal for 30-seconds,... let the RPM go down to 1,... ideal for for 5-10 minutes if its colder,... put in drive right away and drive 40 - 50kmph for approx. 5-minutes. So, what do you guys do? Better yet, what is better for the engine AND what should I/we be doing?

Thanks guys!

 

It does not really matter for modern engines and oils, as long as you do not start your engine in gear and release clutch immediately.

You don’t want to be hard to your car during first few miles until everything reaches operating temps, however. Especially during cold time. There are lots of rubber parts, including your tires, and they are much stiffer when cold. And, speaking of cold weather, you might want to let your car idle for a few minutes until coolant gets at least a little bit warmer, so you can defrost/defog your windshield and side windows if needed

 

I let the car run for 10 seconds and then drive it gently until it's warmed up.

 

I let mine idle for about 2 minutes when its cold. Most of the time that is long enough for me to pick out a CD, get buckled in, light up a cig, and make sure my mirrors are adjusted. I dont time it or anything, but I do those things and then just take it easy for about a mile or so.

Summer time though, mabey 45 seconds and then again take it easy for a mile or so.

 

IDLE


Where are you from?

 

Standard is start the car, give it 30-45 seconds for the oil to fully circulate, then drive easily until your temp gauge reads normal. Then hammer on it

 

I start the car and immediately begin driving at an easy pace because operating temperatures are met much quicker while driving opposed to sitting idle. Only time my car sits idle is for defrosting windows, defogging, waiting on my wife, etc. Like everyone said, the main point is you don't want to drive hard in those first few minutes until engine is warmed up.

 

You really should let the oil circulate a bit though, I don't suggest just starting it up and driving

 

I discussed this with a few mechanics on this issue some time ago (the same question was posed on another forum) and they explained letting a car idle for 5-20 minutes is actually bad for your engine. Reason being, allowing a cold motor to idle for a longer length of time actually does not circulate the oil throughout the entire engine. Instead, it mostly pools around the lower part of the engine increasing wear along the cams. The ECU runs a rich fuel program on cold startups to make the engine warm up as fast as possible. This results in excessive fuel not getting burned and promotes plug and cat fouling. They recommend to start driving after no more than 30 seconds (like forty suggested) to help oil circulation, increase engine heat, and lessen the amount time the fuel program runs rich.

 

I my self, During the winter, i use my remote starter about 3-5 minutes before i go out to the car, just to let it warm up inside.. then take it easy a bit. in the summer on the othe hand, start and go.. that is it lol