what is your cold start procedure?

[Ian123]

now that the weather is getting cold, im curious as to how everyone starts their cars in the winter. I usually let it idle for about 30 seconds before i drive away and then i take it easy until the engine gets up to operating temp. Ive noticed that the majority of people will just start their car up in the morning in 20 degree weather and drive right away as if the engine is already warm. I just dont feel like its a good idea to start pulling away when the oil is still cold and thick. Does the 30 seconds i let the engine idle actually heat up the oil any? Or does it take longer than that for it to even make a difference in the oil temp?

 

[tCtCtC]

I wait until my idle starts dropping. Once the idle starts going down, I'm assuming that the engine is adjusting to the new temps it's reading.

 

[SuperDanny]

yeah, once it starts to idle normal, i usually remote start mine, by then the idle is good to go..... im not one to take off on a cold motor either, it even sounds different when you do, doesnt sound right.....

 

[Genuine Rolla]

I put the key in, let the fuel pump prime, then start. I'll let it idle till it's around 1000rpm's or so...then drive till it's warm.

 

[Hecz]

i just usally start it and take right off. i pop the clutch then let my V-Tech roar in.

 

[31dev31]

I let it idle for about 5 minutes when it's -15 and below, otherwise it's 1 minute then I go.

 

[Puma]

turn key to accessories, beep 3 times for pump/relay, then start. let idle 10 mins. or i remote start and wait 10mins. i even do it in the summer. i don't think i've ever started the car and just gone.

 

[lowlife9]

there really is no need to let your car sit and warm up driving it will warm it up faster now if you are driving a carbureted 1957 chevy you would let it idol for a minute to warm the manifold. if you use the proper weight oil for winter climates there will be nothing to worry about thats why i love synthetic.

 

[Lopez619]

I start it, let it idle for 5-10 mins, then take off.


For some reason if I just drive off without letting it warm up for a couple mins my car sounds like it has an exhaust leak.

 

[SuperDanny]

i just usally start it and take right off. i pop the clutch then let my V-Tech roar in.

and hit the nitrous yo all the way up to 8,000 rpm!!

 

[lowlife9]

your just wasting gas letting it warm up slowly by idling.

 

[Lopez619]

unless its 30 below zero your just wasting gas letting it warm up slowly by idling.

The first road I take when going to school in the morning is a busy highway where the speed limit is 60, so if you want to get on the road you have to kinda step on it to avoid being rear ended.

I don't like just starting the car and having to get on that road right after.

 

[lethal6]

People really sit in their car for 10 minutes letting it warm up? Screw that. I let it warm up as long as it takes me to put on the seat belt, drop the ebrake handle, open the screen on the head unit, and go. Takes less than 20 seconds.

There is NO way in hell I would let it idle unattended either. I can't believe people actually do that. I had friends back in highschool that used to hop in cars that were left unattended and take off, park them down the block, or one street over. Some times they would just drive them around the block and park them in alleys behind the houses they were idling at. Not condoning just stating.

I believe it is actually illegal in washington to let your car idle unattended.

 

[vjf915]

Just like above, I turn my car on and let it idle for as long as it takes me to put my seat belt on and roll down the driveway in neutral.

 

[Lopez619]

People really sit in their car for 10 minutes letting it warm up? Screw that. I let it warm up as long as it takes me to put on the seat belt, drop the ebrake handle, open the screen on the head unit, and go. Takes less than 20 seconds.

There is NO way in hell I would let it idle unattended either. I can't believe people actually do that. I had friends back in highschool that used to hop in cars that were left unattended and take off, park them down the block, or one street over. Some times they would just drive them around the block and park them in alleys behind the houses they were idling at. Not condoning just stating.

I believe it is actually illegal in washington to let your car idle unattended.

I walk back inside my house and let it warm up, live out in the country in the middle of nowhere so I think its fine.



is it really illegal?

 

[lowlife9]

The first road I take when going to school in the morning is a busy highway where the speed limit is 60, so if you want to get on the road you have to kinda step on it to avoid being rear ended.

I don't like just starting the car and having to get on that road right after.

older vehicles with carbs needed to be warmed thats probably were this notion of having to warm the engine came from our cars have electronically controlled fuel injection there is no need to idle

 

[98ej8]

i turn the car on and lock it and go eat breakfast
by the time im back its all warmed up inside and out lol
just use my spare key

 

[vjf915]

I say +1 for lowlife9 in this thread, I do believe he has hit it right on the head.

 

[DarkCreep]

turn key to accessories, beep 3 times for pump/relay, then start. let idle 10 mins. or i remote start and wait 10mins. i even do it in the summer. i don't think i've ever started the car and just gone.

Are you stuck in the 50s or something?? I would never let my car idle for more than 3 minutes, thats just stupid.

I turn it on, put on my seat belt, set my station, adjust my seat then go.

 

[SuperDanny]

yeah he is right, its more of a preference thing, i let mine warm up just because i dont like how it sounds when it first starts in cold weather, and i dont like to be cold... if it was really important to let it warm up the manufacturer would have some notation for it..... and yes, some states it is illegal to leave a running car unattended, in others if you have a remote start they require flashing parking lights while remote started, thats why some have the option for flashing parking lights in the programming,