I had an argument with a friend whether or not I need to warm up the car before driving?

What's your expert opinion?

 

Ive heard that the best thing to do is let it warm up for a minute or so then drive it easy until it gets warm. The reason why is because a motor gets the most wear when it is cold if you just let it sit and idle until it gets warm it will take quite a while. But if you let it idle for a minute or so so the oil circulates then drive it easy it warms up faster so there is less wear.
hope that helps
Later
Matt

 

Just let it idle until you hear your RPM drop (trust me, you'll notice the first drop). But still drive it NICELY until it's at normal running temperature.

 

You don't NEED to...no. =] It's not necessary. It's bad to rev the engine when the oil is not up to operating temps but it's also bad to let the car idle for long periods. I typically start the engine and let it idle a bit so the oil properly lubricates the internals before driving off 20 sec or so later. I don't put too much load or run it at high RPMs until the engine oil is at operating temps. Oil typically reaches max efficiency at around 185 degrees F. On my M3, it takes at least 10/15 min or so to reach 185. On a B16, it probably gets there sooner. So, no you don't have to warm up the car but you do want to make sure you have good lubrication and you don't put too much load on it until it's fully warmed up.

 

I wait until the needed begins to rise before i drive off. Then I take it easy until it gets to the middle. It takes about five minutes and i don't have a fitv.