Anyone Warm-up their car?

[RubberFrog]

Re: Anyone Warm-up their car?

Without sharing an opinion on the law- it doesn't seem to bright to leave your car running on the street. I agree that the driveway is another deal.

 

[Pony]

Re: Anyone Warm-up their car?

I agree with that rubberfrog......in the street would be an unwise descision. The few times I am parked on th street, like if i am down at UWM, I will sit in the car and let it warm up a few minutes.

 

[Mark42]

Re: Anyone Warm-up their car?

I keep the car in the garage. But that is only about 20 to 25 degrees warmer than the outside. Still, it sure beats cleaning off snow and frost. Gets me on my way quicker.

 

[eeboater]

Re: Anyone Warm-up their car?

See, my stepdad is a mechanic and I always got yelled at if I "warmed up" my vehicle in the morning before school... He said it was always bad for it... so I don't know.

 

[QC]

Re: Anyone Warm-up their car?

I keep mine running for the AC <br /><br />In all seriousness, if it is for the engine and not the heater/defroster etc. slowly driving is the best way to warm them up. It accelerates the rate of heat that is distributed and starts warming up ALL of the other fluids as well, tranny, rear-end etc. This is what we recommend to truck fleets. Start them and immediately start jockeying around in the yard and take it easy as you head out to the Interstate etc. Same in reverse when you return, let's say pulling your trailer, as you drive into your neighborhood and pull up to the house (yard) you have just cooled it down too . . .

 

[RubberFrog]

Re: Anyone Warm-up their car?

I suppose I should have been more clear myself. I was refering to warming up the air inside the car. I agree that warming up the mechanicals is best done by a gentle exit from the neighborhood- for a fuel injected car. My old '67 Mustang doesn't run right if I don't let it sit for a few minutes first.

 

[roscoe]

Re: Anyone Warm-up their car?

OMC, what is "freezing up your radiator?"<br /><br />Never heard of it.

 

[JasonJ]

Re: Anyone Warm-up their car?

I warm my rig despite what the "experts" say because I have to drive one block, then get out onto a highway where I have to practically floor it just to get into traffic. I am not doing that on a cold engine, there is no way to gently accelerate. Even in the summer I let it run until the temp guage has moved. In the winter I start it and let it run while I am clearing the snow off, or let it run for 5-10 minutes if there is no snow to clear. <br /><br />If I don't, it gets worse fuel economy because the tranny won't shift into overdrive until it has warmed up enough. Also, even though I get on a highway, I am back down to 25 mph when it hits town a couple miles away. Not enough drivetime to fully warm the engine up and burn the contaminants out of the oil. Just tailor the way you use your car to your situation, don't just blindly listen to talking heads. They are guidelines, not hard fast rules. Everybody warms their vehicles in my area....

 

[TELMANMN]

Re: Anyone Warm-up their car?

I ususally leave it run for 5 min. in the coldest weather. Private or public, doors locked or with a remote starter. Coldest means below zero F. I do not think even the most anal peace enforcement officer, in this liberal state, would give you a ticket. If they did we would make sure that everytime a police cruiser stopped for whatever, It would need to be turned off. <br /> What is good for the goose is good for the gander. Plus, if you use a remote starter than good luck stealing it. You still have to figure out how to get it going. But it will be warm.

 

[SpinnerBait_Nut]

Re: Anyone Warm-up their car?

Since I do most of my running at night, I do let mine warm up for just a bit.<br />I like for my fluids to be a little warm before taking off.

 

[ZooMbr]

Re: Anyone Warm-up their car?

Up here it is illegal and service station are not to start the pump if your car is running; some are real strict about it. Has to do with pollution. Some citys inforce it more than others. And, up here it is illegal in your own driveway! I'm with JasonJ I always let the car/truck idle for a few minutes before leaving anytime of the year. Gets the oil warmed up some and parts oiled before getting the revs up.

 

[KilroyJC]

Re: Anyone Warm-up their car?

I used to have a car with remote start. I would warm it up in the winter for two reasons:<br /><br />1 - I had to go start it anyway, but where I had to drive it to was so close that it wouldn't really heat up at all. If I was going to start it, I wanted it to at least reach proper operating temperature for a few minutes, not to mention recharge the battery from the cold startup, and cold temps.<br /><br />2 - Vinyl seats.<br /><br />-----------------------<br /><br />My current car ('85 Caprice) I have to let warm up approximately 1/2 minute at 45F, and then an additional minute for each 5F drop in temperature. Just the nature of the beast - 160000+ miles on a carbureted smog-motor. But I sit in the car while it's warming up. (Yes - I miss the remote start!)

 

[Pony]

Re: Anyone Warm-up their car?

How much damage could warming up your car really do??<br /><br />I mean I would think that 5 minutes at 500rpm to warm is better than 3000rpms on a cold engine. Can anyone explain this to me?<br />.<br />.<br />.<br />.<br />.<br />.<br />.<br />.<br />.<br />As for the pollution issue, is that really why those laws are in place?? Might as well start restricted when and how often you can mow the lawn or heaven forbid how often you can run an outboard. I think it has to be some sort of liability thing with leaving keys in the ignition and running........these laws were in place long before remote starters

 

[cpj]

Re: Anyone Warm-up their car?

I always warm up the work van before I leave.I dont like to scrape windows and I like a warm van.Plus the company pays for gas. As for the wear and tear issue, Im with you pony.You cant make me believe that it is harder on them to idle than to run at a higher rpm.

 

[brother chris]

Re: Anyone Warm-up their car?

There are alot of vehicles that are being stolen in the morning, while the vehicles are idling, unattended.<br />But I live on 5 acres and my key comes out of the ignition while the vehicle is still running. I still do not lock the doors while it is running. <br />If someone wants my car that bad, they are going to get it either way.

 

[waterone1@aol.com]

Re: Anyone Warm-up their car?

Ummm, I just have to ask, are some people listening to themselves ? "It's illegal to leave a car run.....because it's too much temptation for a crook" ???? If a cop said something like that to me, I would respond by asking if women should be allowed to wear tight fitting tops....because that is just too much temptation for rapists to stand. What in the world has this country come to when people justify telling others they shouldn't leave their car running because it might tempt criminals ? How about getting the criminals off of the street ? Do we tell banks not to have "too much money" because that just might tempt someone to rob them ? Who has spoon fed this crap down your throats so much that you accept it and believe it ? I just know that someone will say something real brilliant like "my insurance company won't pay if the car is running, unattended"...then tell them it wasn't.....if pressed, "watching out the window isn't unnattended". Sorry, I know this sounds harsh, I'm just so sick and tired of hearing about stupidity, like this poor woman who was ticketed for warming up her car. It was her car, her gas, and her choice....hate to bring this up....but....she can choose to have an abortion....but she can't warm her car ??

 

[cpj]

Re: Anyone Warm-up their car?

waterone1<br />I agree with you 100%.I guess that means I cant carry money,cause that would tempt someone to rob me.

 

[Link]

Re: Anyone Warm-up their car?

Originally posted by cpj:<br /> waterone1<br />I agree with you 100%.I guess that means I cant carry money,cause that would tempt someone to rob me.

I agree 100% with you and waterone1<br />In our state because we have a driveway I can warm it up. But G*d forbid I parked in front of our house on the street. Then its a $101.00 fine.<br />Them poor car thieves just couldnt resist!

 

[heycods]

Re: Anyone Warm-up their car?

It has to be cold here befour I pre- warm my truck. Its a diesel. But not many mornings are below frezing. I see you northern boys problems , you have to defrost the windshield because your vehicle is in the open. Garage is full of boats.

 

[demsvmejm]

Re: Anyone Warm-up their car?

I always remote start my Blazer in the winter mornings. I like ot be able to see out the windshield. Startign off in a cold vehicle is dangerous when the inside of the windows fog over. No amount of scraping or wiper use will clear the inside, and wiping it with a tissue is dangerous because you aren't "in control of the vehicle."<br />As a mechanic I am of the opinion that starting off in a cold, freshly started engine is harder on the engine than letting it warm for a few minutes. I had a trusk that demanded I let it warm up or it would knock (rod knock) from all the oil being up in the head and not down in the sump where the oil pump could get it. My Blazer has 209,000 mile son it and it will knock a little when its cold if I start out immediately.<br />As for emissions, a catalytic convertor does not function until it heats up, same with O2 sensors. Driving a vehicle cold to warm it up uses more fuel than allowing it to warm up at idle. The load is greater and the fuel required to sustain that load is greater. So all of that rich fuel mixture is passing through that cold cat, not being treated.<br /><br />It is curious that you have those ridiculous laws. Sots like them trying to outlaw cell-phone use in buildings. Some use is necessary, like answering and then quickly ducking outside, or saying "I'll call you right back." But I agree people carrying on long conversations is inappropriate. Our politicians seem to think they know better than the rest of us. God help us all.