Engine warm up before driving time/temp?


V

Vincent998

GT Owner
Apr 30, 2012
599
Oregon - state of twisties and few patrols.
Just out of curiosity, do you warm your car up from cold before driving it? I know it's a "modern" car and you can probably drive it after just a few seconds, but is it a good idea to warm it up?

If you let it warm up, for how long and/or to what coolant temperature?

Is it a bad idea to let it idle until the thermostat opens (ca 160 degrees)? Does it run rich while idling from cold (perhaps that washes the oil off cylinder walls)?

Inquiring minds want to know ...
 
You mean like sitting on the driveway? I haven't done that since the 60's. It takes way longer to warm up at idle than just being ginger with it until it gets to temp. In Vegas in the summer warming up is almost instantaneous. This time of year, it's up to normal temp in about 2 miles. That's OK since the transmission is also catchy 1-2 until it warms up, and it also helps the tires get a little more sticky.
 
Ten min. rule
 
I just drive, keeping my RPM's at the low end (1500 ish) until up to normal operating temps before getting aggressive with the throttle.
 
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It’s a dry sump motor.
Yes let it warm up always
 
roketman said:
It’s a dry sump motor.
Yes let it warm up always
Click to expand...

I used to do a 15 min routine until 160; first 3-5yrs

I do about 5min now and go easy

If your near an exit and basically go from driveway 500yds, to ramp high RPMs, to freeway at 65mph I would do it.
 
It will warm up faster if you just drive it away after starting, and you will waste less fuel. Be gentle until the temp gets to 150 or so. After that, WFO.
 
Nope. I make sure there is oil pressure is showing (30sec), and go. I drive very conservatively until operating temp is reached.
 
Depends on the ambient temp.
I like to warm for 5-10 mins and drive gently until fluids are at temp.
Mark
 
Push the red button and go. Takes anywhere from two to 10 miles to warm up..depending on ambient temperature. And as with any engine, don't twist up the rpm's quickly, until everything including the driver is warmed up.

Transmission, particularly with a cooler, takes much longer than engine or supercharger coolant to warm up. You'll know when transaxle fluid is warm, transaxle will be quieter and gear selection will become smooth.
 
I always let mine run about two minutes then take it easy till I see 160 degrees or so
 
I run it for a minute or two and then go easy until it hits temps. Transmission is much more of an issue - as it grinds between 1-2-3 until warm, unless you take an extended time between shifts, or double clutch. This is on 3 GT's that that I have driven...
 
In my experience, dry sump motors take longer to get the oil to temp then wet sump setups.
 
Yes, there's more oil inside the system.
 
5-10 min idle warm up and then its full stoked mode as I drive out.

Vince H
 
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I let everything warm up from the GT to the race car to the F250 pulling the trailer. Can't hurt .
 
But what about a rich mixture washing oil off the cylinder walls?
 
Get on a GT motor before it's ready and you will blow cooling lines. I've done it and it's a mess. Good dose of humility.

Transmission loves heat.....to a point.
 
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