Cold start Cool down

with the weather getting colder i have a question about starting my car after it has set all night in the cold. I have revieved mixed answers about this question so tell me what you guys do. When starting my car after it has been sitting all night i have heard that it is good to let it sit and idle for a few minutes before driving so it can reach normal operating temps. i have also heard that you want to start it and have it sit for a 15 to 20 sec. and then take off because normal operating temp. i am told is while the car is driving. So sit for a few minutes or wait half a minute and then drive. Also i got a turbo timer and have not hooked it up yet. i always let my car cool down does anyone have a magic cool down number for me?

 

http://www.wrxatlanta.com/forums/showthread.php?t=9902&highlight=warm+cool


my $.02... I let the car warm up to at least the first tic mark, and then I stay out of boost until it's at full temp. I always let my car cool down 45-90 secs.

 

I dont let it sit .... Just dont get on boost till op temps. I dont let it cool down either... just drive slow for the last 1-2 mins.

 

i always let mine cool till i hit the first mark then am easy on it till its at normal temps... as for cool down... i just leave my turbo timer on automatic and it calculates what it needs... most the time though its a minute to a minute and a half

 

I wait for the temp to rise to the first mark, which is about 128 - 135F and then go. As for cooling down, I stay out of boost the last 2 or 3 mins before parking, and then sit for ~30 - 60 seconds.

 

I usually get in the car and start it, then put my seatbelt on and go. Usually takes about 5 seconds or so to put my seatbelt on. I drive very mildly for then next 2 minutes, thru my neighborhood, and then normally after that.

 

so am I the only one who drives like mad from the moment I get going up the point I turn the car off? I let it warm up, but I always just park and leave, no cooldown here.

 

thanks guys, that helps!

 

Yeah same for me. I just make sure not to goose it until it warms up a little. When I get to my destination I just park it and hop out.

 

I've always heard that there is no real reason to let our cars cool down, but if you do have a turbo timer that will put your mind at ease. I have one for that reason and it was wasn't too hard to install. As far as warming up, I just try to stay out of boost until I get to normal temp.

 

this is where an oil temp or press gauge helps, you actually know when the engine is warm, not the coolant fluid... which are quite far apart in temp times

irc: it takes 30 for the oil to be flowed around the block when cold started, but the colder the temp, the longer it takes for oil to flow right.

re: cooldown, on a warm/hot day after spirited driving, wait about 30 sec after the first fan cycle, then shut down, otherwise the temp climbs right back up. on the track, give it a few minutes (a few fan cycles).

keep in mind your engine is not homogenous, different metals and thicknesses take different times to get to temp and cool.

 

what i do in the morning is:

As soon as i sit in, i start the car.
Find my favorite CD, and favorite song.
Put on my seat belt.
And drive off.

This usually takes 1-2 minutes just enough for my engine to warm up and my rpms to drop.

 

I usually let it run a couple minutes on a cold start. Lately since its been cold It runs for 5-6 minutes sometimes. I don't sit longer than a minute for cool-off unless ive been beating on it.

 

the LGT has a blue light that goes off and sport sharp cannot be engaged until this blue light goes off..I usually use this as a reference for it being time to go....If I'm at home, I'll start the car...open garage (almost simotainiously, dont worry, not trying to kill myself) ...walk to my mail box and or take trash out/in..put seat belt on...roll windows down (skip if its not 60+ out) make sure doors are locked and a good song is playing..I am usually easy on my car for a 10min or so after starting it..unless of course someone comes flying around the blind corner of my drive way...can't say i really let the car sit too long before turning it off..but then again i usually take a sec to exit my vehicle and don't turn it off until then....did I type entirely too much? oh well..

 

I guess I'm like the other guys on here, I normally crank the car up, have a cigarette and then the car is almost warmed up and ready to drive. Otherwise I'll let it warm up for 30secs and drive, depends on if I'm in a hurry.

For cool down I just take it easy when I'm near my destination and let it idle for a few seconds if that and then hop out.

 

ha..peep the user name..not all of us can use that method =) lol

 

i don't really let the car sit when its first turned on and cold. usually i'll start it up, click my belt in, mess with the HVAC/mirrors and stuff, and turn on the radio all in about 30 seconds.

my understanding is that by driving your car gently instead of letting it sit, you're doing two things -- keeping the oil pressure up to help with that cold start lubrication, and you're helping the engine to warm up even faster through use, which is what you're trying to do in the first place anyway.

as long as you're not revving the car hard i don't think it's any big deal to get in and drive after a short (<1 minute) little warmup period.

 

Cold Start- 5 Minute Warm up
Shutdown- 1 Minute Cool Down, then i prop the hood and leave it open (when home).

 

Try to warm it up for 5min's, 15 min,s. If in a hurry I let it warm up about 3-5 mins. Either way I drive it close to idle lugging it through my speed bump infested apt cmplx. When I hit the road I drive it real easy for about 20-30min's(cold temps). About 15-20 mins hot temps. I never really get into it though unless I'm on the road for a while. I live in a cop infested area so it actually is a safe guard for my engine LOL! never really considered a cool down so I will start doing this. If I am home during the Summer I may open the hood because these engines get hot as hell.

 

you're idle oil pressure when cold is nearly 100psi
"warm" idle oil pressure is around 25psi

just something to think about