How long do you wait before you drive?!

**eLtrix** · 09-09-2012 04:33 PM

I was just curious.... How long do you guys let your engine idle on first start up before you start driving your car? a minute or two? or even longer??

What are the effects of starting and driving straight away and starting then waiting a while???

**FAITHLESS** · 09-09-2012 04:43 PM

15-30 secs

**sensei_** · 09-09-2012 05:42 PM

i dont idle, but i dont go all out on the pedal either. for the first 5 mins its usually easy going. once i see the temp reaching normal operating i will resume normal driving.

**2MPRS** · 09-09-2012 05:47 PM

I wait like a few minute before I start driving but even then I baby it because the gearbox is still cold.

**ceekay101** · 09-09-2012 05:56 PM

Ideally the engine should be 70 degree's plus for abit of spirited driving. Which without an oil temp gauge is hard to judge. Apparently idling the car to warm it up is worse than babying the car. I normally baby it till it warms up. I just wait atleast till the coolant is showing warm, then give it a few more minutes and its probably as hot as it will get while babying it.

**Jasemas** · 09-09-2012 06:05 PM

Wait about two minutes at a 6am start (5 days a week) just idling and then drive by babying it... Then after a few more minutes (at temp) ill drive normally
Gearbox is too cold to be doing 0-60 in 5 secs when cold lol

**Latino CRX** · 09-09-2012 06:12 PM

just chill and relax in bed press a button car starts .. go to sleep for 30 mins
then press the button again .. go take a slash and off and i go

**joeyybruh** · 09-09-2012 06:47 PM

I wait 2 - 3 mins till it gets a decent warm .. facebook a little and head off

**EKVTIR-T** · 09-09-2012 07:11 PM

Some interesting theorys above..

Its not advised to warm up or idle a car before driving away,just dont rev the hell out of it until its at operating temp.

Even the owners manual tells you do not sit there idling to warm up engine

**bennjamin** · 09-09-2012 07:24 PM

Originally Posted by EKVTIR-T

Some interesting theorys above..

Its not advised to warm up or idle a car before driving away,just dont rev the hell out of it until its at operating temp.

Even the owners manual tells you do not sit there idling to warm up engine

Agree.
Lets define "warm up" - this means reach optimum operating temperature - this will take 10-15mins if the car is stationary from a dead cold start - longer if its a cold morning.
This is not recommended and should be avoided.
But , most people (common sense) should imply by "warming up" - is to sit for a minute , then drive off with no major load on the engine until optimal temp. is reached.

**curtis265** · 09-09-2012 07:37 PM

start the engine, select a song, drive off.. so no more than 20sec. then drive gently so everything warms up at the same time.

I like to avoid that cold engine rich mixture fuel wash.