Should I be letting my car warm up before I start driving? I live in Southern California, so there are no blizzards or anything.
2007-02-02 09:14:16 · 10 answers · asked by P 2 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Other - Cars & Transportation
The engine will start out fast and you should just let it run. After a minute or so, depending on how cold it is outside, the engine rpm will slow down. That's when you should drive it. This gives the oil enough time to get distributed in the engine to slow down the wear and tear. It won't break it any time soon if you never warm it up, it just affects the overall life of the engine.
2007-02-02 09:24:04 · answer #1 · answered by ♫ giD∑■η ♫ 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, all you need to do is let it idle for 15-30 seconds. When you shut a car off it takes a minute or so for the oil to drain from the motor back to the oil pan. When you next start the car it should take no more than 15-30 seconds for the oil to pressurize and relubricate everything. Even when it's way colder than you get in Southern Cali you should still be ok to start driving a car after 30 seconds(although if it's really cold outside you'll just want to be easy on it until everything warms up completely. The engine, tires, and suspension bits should reach operating temp. within a few miles or so).
2007-02-02 09:21:21 · answer #2 · answered by the mystic 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Not really.
There's a slight increase in the general wear and tear in the engine when it's warming up, but it's nothing to really worry about. There are a few things you can do, if you are worried.
Change the oil regularly. Old oil builds up particulates and these can cause damage to the engine.
Switch to a magnetic particle based oil. There are a few about that cling to the inner parts of the engine and avoid the warming engine problem.
Put the car away in a garage overnight. Failing that, you can get an all over plastic blanket or tarpaulin to cover it during the night.
2007-02-02 09:20:34 · answer #3 · answered by Kesa 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
when your temperature gauge reads H you need to stop turn off the motor, and find the problem or call triple AAA. unfortunately this is not something you can drive 30 miles, with no water in the motor, everything begins to get hot and expand, the harder and farther you make it go, At some point your head gasket blew, and allowed water into the combustion chamber, the smoke you saw was probably steam, from the badly overheated head or top of your engine, which probably warped and cracked when the head gasket blew.right as you got off the freeway, the damage was done ar that point however. also it is not a good idea to put cool or cold water in a hot overheated motor. it is better to have patience and wait until the motor has cooled down first, before adding water. I believe this is going to be an expensive lesson for you, well good luck
2016-05-24 06:12:29 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's a good habit not to just 'jump in & drive'. The vehicle needs time to get it's fluids circulating to the areas of stress. Regardless of climate your residents is located. Continued 'start and run' will take it's tolled.
Some of those future problems would include rod knock, caused be lack of throughly bathing crank bearings before placing vehicle under a 'working' load. Lifters collapsing, causing a tapping sound, for the same reason as aforementioned. Poor fuel economy due to improper warm-up, especially on FI systems. Transmission slippage, again not allowing time to get lube from pan to working components, before appling work load.
But you do what you want, just remember you have been fore-warned.
2007-02-02 09:19:45 · answer #5 · answered by LifeRyder 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, if you start your vehicle in very cold weather then drive before warming it up you will cause extra wear on the engine because the oil is cold and thick and not circulating through the engine yet.
2007-02-02 15:40:17 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
No need. You can drive as soon as the engine settles down. Just don't push it until it warms up some. If you want to spend a few bucks, go with synthetic oil. It flows better, protects better and holds up to heat and cold better. It also lasts a lot longer.
2007-02-02 09:20:26 · answer #7 · answered by Nomadd 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Let the oil get to the top of the motor for a few minutes before driving.So the upper end parts are lubricated.
2007-02-02 09:22:48 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
All answers above me are correct.
2007-02-02 09:22:39 · answer #9 · answered by Old School 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
NO, you will have no problems where you are. I wish I had your weather problems.
2007-02-02 09:22:34 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋