Warm Up?
 

Hey all, I just wanted to know how long you warm your car up before moving? I have always let the RPMs drop to about 1k, but i always wondered if it was necessary. Thanks in advance!

Depending on outside temperature, I usually only wait about a minute. Obviously if it is dead of winter, I'll let it warm up more (but that's usually to allow for any ice to melt, and the interior to warm up). You obviously don't have this problem being in FL.

I like to let the engine go through it's fast-idle phase at startup. When the RPMs pop up and then settle down, I'll go.

^^^Same here. I find that on colder mornings this process takes a little longer so It compensates for the cold on its own.

A good indicator is to listen for the initial idle change. You it's ready to go by then. I perform this for my bike as well...there's truely a difference!

Yeah!, What J and D Rex said!

Since I no longer live in the snow belt of our country I will start the car, put it in gear and gently drive away. The key word being gently.

If I lived where it really gets cold I would give it a moment to be sure lubrication is flowing and again gently drive away.

I wait until the revs drop like everyone else seems to and then I drive it gently (<4000 RPM) until the engine temp is up to normal.

i dont think in a modern car it is as imperative to wait for the idle to drop. modern oil and a modern engine really only need to get the oil flowing before you really get things going. i think this (along with the precision of machining) is why you see cars lasting longer and longer.

I have always waited at least 30 seconds for the engine to warm and the revs to drop to normal rpm. Then drive gently til fully warmed up.

If i didn't drive the car for more then lets say 5 hours, I always let the car warm up for two minutes before rolling off.
I don't care if i'm driving the Audi or an old Alfa Romeo, i give it two minutes.

I start it up, back out of the garage and try to keep it under 3000 rpm for about the first 10 minutes or so.

I always start up and leave, my last car i put 80k miles on it (152k when i sold) i would start it up, roll out of the driveway, 3k rpms, drop the clutch and race to work.... never had 1 problem...my car would never get warmed up by the time i got to work in the winter... lol

about 10 seconds to make sure i got "pressure in the boat" then drive moderately until operating temperature is reached.

i usually let the car warm up for 3 minutes . oil needs to get to optimal running temp imo before really going.