what are you guyszzz thoughts on driving your car cold / semi cold , ex. leaving my friends apartment i cant leave my car with the keys in it to warm up , so i drive at low rpm high gears for a few minutes till it warms up , just on side streets , sometimes. i was wondering what everyone does in this situation and the effects on the motor , . im only driving it at 2k to 3k semi cold , and 1k to 2k when really cold , let me know cuz i feel mabye i should just get sick and sit there sometimes wich would suck ,

 

For me (and this is not specifically my Type R) coming home from snowboarding and what not, I would let my car warm up to at least something close to operating tempurature.

Even if I had to wait for that to happen, I felt it was better than screwing something up. This was straight across for the last three GS-R's I've owned.

Some people will argue that it's good after a few minutes, but personally I don't feel that is too safe for the longevity of the engine and its parts.

 

i let my motor warm up for a minimum of 5 minutes before i start driving it.
this is because i'm using forged pistons and still have the squirters.

however, if i am late or something, i usually let the car warms up till i don't hear any piston slap then i take it easy shifting at 2krpm and driving real slow

btw, the temps we're getting currently are ranging from -2 to 5 degrees Celcius

 

My car never gets too cold... Always in the warm garage

But when it's stuck outside in this freezing weather I let it idle until the needle gets to the first hash mark then drive easy(under 3k) until normal temps are shown.

 

I just start it up and drive. Only time I'll let it warm up is if I have to defrost ice or wipe the snow off the car.

 

If I'm not mistaken letting your car warm up by idling in cold weather is the WORST thing you can do.

Edit found some info:

Q: Is it important to idle my vehicle for a few minutes to warm up the engine in winter?
A: No. Tests show that you need no more than 30 seconds of idling to circulate the engine oil before you drive away on cold days. Anything longer just wastes money and produces needless greenhouse gas emissions. Remember, more than the engine needs to be warmed - so do the tires, transmission, wheel bearings and other moving parts. As well, the catalytic converter doesn't function at its peak until it reaches between 400°C and 800°C. The best way to warm the engine and all other components is to drive your vehicle. Also, using a block heater will allow the engine to start more easily and reach its peak operating temperature faster. In temperatures of -20 degrees Celsius, block heaters can improve overall fuel economy by as much as 10 percent or more.

 

I let my car warm up until the gauge starts to rise, when I'm out in town or wherever.

Usually I'll start it and let it warm all the way up before I leave home.

If I'm in a hurry, expletive it. I take the bitch to 4k, sometimes even to 6,800. 12x,xxx and no problems. I need an excuse for a resleeve anyways.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Aquafina &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote"> I need an excuse for a resleeve anyways.</TD></TR></TABLE>

haha thats definitley a creative way to get resleeved

now that i dont have a type r engine i really dont care i jump in and just keep it at low rpm's until its warm, no sense in trying to go fast when its cold becaus vtec wont hit

 

My vtak never kicks in.

79mm here I come.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by ActiveAero &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">If I'm not mistaken letting your car warm up by idling in cold weather is the WORST thing you can do.

Edit found some info:

Q: Is it important to idle my vehicle for a few minutes to warm up the engine in winter?
A: No. Tests show that you need no more than 30 seconds of idling to circulate the engine oil before you drive away on cold days. Anything longer just wastes money and produces needless greenhouse gas emissions. Remember, more than the engine needs to be warmed - so do the tires, transmission, wheel bearings and other moving parts. As well, the catalytic converter doesn't function at its peak until it reaches between 400°C and 800°C. The best way to warm the engine and all other components is to drive your vehicle. Also, using a block heater will allow the engine to start more easily and reach its peak operating temperature faster. In temperatures of -20 degrees Celsius, block heaters can improve overall fuel economy by as much as 10 percent or more.</TD></TR></TABLE>


Cite your soucres!!

sounds like something from CNN or autoweek.

 

Most of the time, I start driving right away, without sitting there for any discernible length of time. I just go easy on the car (keep revs under 3K) until the engine is fully warmed up. (I've read the same stuff ActiveAero cited.)

When it gets REALLY cold (which, around here, means -27 to -15 degrees F) and the car has been sitting outside for hours, I let the car sit for around 30-60 seconds before moving.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Arsenal &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Cite your soucres!!

sounds like something from CNN or autoweek.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Climate Change Saskatchewan website.

 

I let the car idle for a few minutes, hop in, then just take it easy on the caR and keep the RPM's low.

 

My previous car was a teg '98 RS that I bought new from the dealer. They told me that it wasn't necessary to warm it up for more than one minute. Of course, that was a B18B1.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by bs-inc &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I just start it up and drive. Only time I'll let it warm up is if I have to defrost ice or wipe the snow off the car. </TD></TR></TABLE>

Pretty much what I do in my car. BMW also does not recommend letting the car warm up. I also have factory forged internals.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by nsxtasy &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

Climate Change Saskatchewan website.
</TD></TR></TABLE>

They don't say anything about it being bad for the engine, just for the environment. Call me a tree killer, but I'll let my engine warm up

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Bbasso &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">But when it's stuck outside in this freezing weather I let it idle until the needle gets to the first hash mark then drive easy(under 3k) until normal temps are shown.</TD></TR></TABLE>

see now my mom just woke me up and my dog needs to be picked up at the groomer and i want to come back home and sleep , but i have to go get him , hes MY dog , so im sitting here for 15 minutes while my car is running outside , don't get any idea F00l . but 15 minute's for a 5 minute drive sucks *** , and tha R Will wake me up anyways after i start moving , this sucks , thanks rob pretty much exactly what i do

 

i tihk you guys with NA motors are worrying more than you have to....i have ALWAYS driven my car the second after i start it, i just dont boost it......

 

Anyone that lets their car warm up by idling until it's reached op. temp is an idiot.

When your engine is cold, combustion is NOT complete and is most certainly NOT at optimal temperatures.

Therefore with the combination of a cold engine (cold cylinder walls and bad cylinder wall to piston seal), rich fuel mixture (to compensate for incomplete combustion) and no load (high manifold vacuum), combustion byproducts including water vapour and raw unburned fuel, are drawn into the crankcase where they dilute the oil. Your oil is now fouled.

If you warm up the engine under load (normal driving conditions), you are creating less manifold vacuum, and placing the engine under load which warms up the engine much quicker.

 

I've always wondered why in the E46 M3 manual, it said not to warm up the car. Good info.

BTW, I've never really warmed up my cars. Just turn on the ignition, maybe wait 10-20 seconds, and off I go.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by ActiveAero &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">If I'm not mistaken letting your car warm up by idling in cold weather is the WORST thing you can do.

Edit found some info:

Q: Is it important to idle my vehicle for a few minutes to warm up the engine in winter?
A: No. Tests show that you need no more than 30 seconds of idling to circulate the engine oil before you drive away on cold days. Anything longer just wastes money and produces needless greenhouse gas emissions. Remember, more than the engine needs to be warmed - so do the tires, transmission, wheel bearings and other moving parts. As well, the catalytic converter doesn't function at its peak until it reaches between 400°C and 800°C. The best way to warm the engine and all other components is to drive your vehicle. Also, using a block heater will allow the engine to start more easily and reach its peak operating temperature faster. In temperatures of -20 degrees Celsius, block heaters can improve overall fuel economy by as much as 10 percent or more.</TD></TR></TABLE>

I vouch for this... I've read it a long time ago but I don't remember where it came from. The post was credible enough that I have followed it since with no problems... (I live in Washington DC, its only DEC and its 20 Deg. outside already and its 2pm ) It gets pretty cold here.

Also, about letting it warm up till the needle starts to move.... I have attempted such a crazy thing only 2 times on my engine. I won't try to explain how dumb you feel sitting in your car for 10+ minutes in a freezing parking lot trying to wait for it to warm up.

It gets cold here... it was seriously 10+ minutes of just sitting there making beats on the steering wheel... and this is after work... I, and I would guess many others, don't have 10+ minutes in the morning during the morning scramble.

That being said, my better results have been from letting it idle for at least 30 seconds, then driving off, shifting at 3k rpm's and under minimal throttle. Even then, I have to drive around 2 miles just to get the needle to start getting close to operating temperature. Yes, it was that cold this morning. This is residential street driving though.

Having to jump on the highway can be tricky because of the speeds and the final drive (4.7), 5th gear starts to go past 3k so all you can do is drive the slow lane for a second till it gets warm enough, which should not be that long since its highway constant throttle.

That is my experience. I do not claim these to be the absolute answer... its just the most effective for me and has never cause any wrong so far.

Edit::

I forgot to add that not only does the engine need to (warm) up, but other parts need it as well. The biggest thing I have noticed is the change in my new suspension from this summer, the K-sports (11k/7k). When it is cold, the suspension gets very stiff and the springs are already stiff enough, so you can imagine daily driving it. It gets better as you drive, but cold weather makes them pretty harsh at first. Also, the cat as mentioned before, which everyone who has struggled to pass emissions knows by now

 

I agree with Active Aero. I've heard similar statements from others on here and at the dealership and the shops I deal with. My internals are stock mind you. Forged internals may have different requirements.

1 minute warm up tops, then take it easy(keep it below 4500rpm) until operating temp is reached.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by TPB &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
When your engine is cold, combustion is NOT complete</TD></TR></TABLE>

LOL - I don't buy that.

 

Haha... hell, just cut the thing on and floor it...

try to hit redline as much as possible...

the ecu will save you by killing vtec till you're at optimal race conditions....

it should warm up pretty quickly that way...

 

In the morning before work I let warm up b/c I don't want to get into a cold car


In a parking lot I'll give it like 30 seconds to get the fluids flowing and then I keep the rpm's down til it warms up.