Do you let you car warm up in the morning?

Do you start your car early and let it warm up in the mornings?

  • No

    Votes: 38 28.8%

  • Yes, 5 minutes before I leave

    Votes: 40 30.3%

  • Yes, 10 minutes before I leave

    Votes: 32 24.2%

  • Yes, 15 minutes before I leave

    Votes: 19 14.4%

  • Yes, 20+ minutes before I leave

    Votes: 9 6.8%
  • Total voters
    132
drkelly

drkelly

Dipstick who put two vehicles on jack stands
Joined
Mar 21, 2005
Location
Oak Ridge/Stokesdale, NC
Talking with my carpool, and wondering how many people start their car or truck up early and let it warm up before leaving in the morning. I've done it for many many years now, even when I lived in an apartment. On a typical cold morning, I'll usually go out there and start it up 15-20 minutes before I leave, then go back inside and finish my morning routine.
 
I do when its buttfunky cold like it is now, but normally, no.
The PO put a blingy aluminum ball knob on the shifter - that sucker is COLD to hold lol.

FYI in the great state of MD, it's actually illegal to leave your car running with the keys in it. They have radio commercials about it.
 
I think I saw on the news last year where its illegal in Charlotte too.Maybe some sort of city ordinance or something.
 
I let my 4runner warm up about 10 minutes before I drive.... but then again, we've been seeing sub-zero wind chills just about daily this week - who wouldn't. Cars don't like to work when it gets that cold. Also, sitting in a ten degree vehicle sucks.
 
I don't... mostly because I have enough other stuff to do to get ready to leave in the first place and I'm the last to leave and have to lock up. When it is as cold as it's been the past week and a half, I do sit in it for a minute or two before I back down the driveway and take it easy when I pull out on the main road.
 
I do for a little bit. Normally I turn the car on then screw around with other stuff for a few moments, getting ready for the drive.

Used to let my Subaru warm up for 5 minutes just because I didn't want to piss off the Turbo.
 
diesel always gets warmed up even in spring and fall

grand usually 5 min or so

honda minivan probably 15 mins due to having remote starter :)
 
15F when I left this morning. Cranked the truck, let it idle for a min or so (mainly just to make sure they're all lighting off reliably), and hauled ass. The truck can idle for 10 or 15 mins and never get warm. But under load, I've got heat within 2-3 miles of the house.

Letting cars "warm up" is an anachronism from the days of carburetors and chokes.
 
Only if my wife is going with me and we're taking the ZJ. The TJ and Isuzu warms quickly the truck never warms no mater how long it runs even after it's up to temp. How long I let the ZJ warm up depends on how soon we are ready to go.:)
 
saf-t scissors said:
Letting cars "warm up" is an anachronism from the days of carburetors and chokes.
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The "warm up" is for my own comfort, not the car!
Well that and the 80w90 in the gearbox, those first few gear changes getting out of the neighborhood have been difficult.
 
I voted NO, but its not like I turn the key and drop the hammer. Unless I have to scrape the windows (like this morning), I am def. rolling way before 5 minutes, 2 minutes max. When its idling, I'll go thru the gears, try and warm up the tranny. Even on the automatic, I'll hold the brake and let it idle 5 seconds or so in each selction R-N-D-O-32-1
 
At 8mpg's, I can't afford to...hahaha. Seriously though, never have...even with my carbed rigs. I get heat quicker letting it roll than I do letting it idle...on really cold mornings, I'll manually drop it to first and keep the revs up until I leave the neighborhood. As for warming the carb, it'll get feathery at times... but I know what my rigs like at those moments to prevent it from dying.
 
Rox&Mud said:
Only if my wife is going with me and we're taking the ZJ. The TJ and Isuzu warms quickly the truck never warms no mater how long it runs even after it's up to temp. How long I let the ZJ warm up depends on how soon we are ready to go.:)
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Just think of all the gas, and therefore, money you would save if you didnt warm them up. You could afford to wheel at Mtn. City...:poop: wrong thread...

The PSD usually sits in the driveway and runs for about 15-20 before I go to work on these cold mornings. It stays plugged in but it still hates it if I just get in and go. The new chip should be here tonight and has a high Idle mode. Hopefully this will help it get up to temp a little faster.
 
Yes. My company van (6.5 chevy diesel) does not like cold weather at all. I think the fuel module is crapping out on it so it runs REALLY rough for the first 30 seconds or so, lots of white smoke and it sounds like a rod is going to come through the side of the block. If I drive it withoug letting it warm up I either have to putt along really slow till it warms up, or flat out floor it to get it to go. It's like the module has a big 'dead' spot in it till it builds up some heat.

I normally will let my personal vehicles warm up a little bit or just take it easy when I start them.
 
If I'm driving a fuelie, then It's not likely. Maybe a few minutes to knock the edge off if I'm taking Boy somewhere, but not for the engine's sake. If It's the Sammi I'm getting in, I've got no choice. At least five min. Crank it and goose it until it'll idle on its own, then let her sit for a while. If I don't, I ain't going anywhere!
 
I like my engines in the shape they are in, so I let them run for a few to let the oil become fluid when it's as cold as it's been lately. The cummins doesnt like being crammed into gear and hammered down before the starter stops spinning.
 
StretchASU said:
The new chip should be here tonight and has a high Idle mode. Hopefully this will help it get up to temp a little faster.
Click to expand...

My 99' PSD will automatically hi-idle if it sits for a couple minutes (when cold), shuts back off once you hit the brake or clutch. Not sure why yours won't do it though... I did have the puter' reprogrammed by DP-Tuner, but I think it did it before as well.
 
Both my Sierra and my Trailblazer sound like the pistons are slapping around when it is cold like this. I always warm them up before we leave in the mornings, but during the summer it is crank and go.

Plus when it is this cold it is nice to get into a warm car, especially with a baby.
 
Letting cars "warm up" is an anachronism from the days of carburetors and chokes.
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I agree, but my 91 civic must forget it's got fuel injectors HAHAHA. Dakota gets 2-5 mins.
the 12V...since it sits for weeks at a time, I generally cue my warm-up period by the change in smoke color & opacity. Once the smoke changes from white & thick to dark grey & hazy it's ready to roll.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tJB094tWJCo
 
when it's real cold I plug it in, in the am I get in & go. If I don't plug it in 4-5 min. idle time then go.
 
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