Sponsored

Thoughts on Warm up Times?

Dave2013M3

Well-Known Member
Joined
Aug 22, 2014
Threads
32
Messages
1,546
Reaction score
810
Location
El Segundo,Ca
Vehicle(s)
2024 BMW M2 G87 6MT Toronto Red
There is a difference between just driving off after inital start up and letting the car rip to redline. I wouldn't start to push the car until oil is to temp. Inital start up is fine after 30 seconds to just drive off but don't push the car hard.
Sponsored

 

LouG

Well-Known Member
Joined
Mar 11, 2025
Threads
33
Messages
2,581
Reaction score
2,974
Location
New Zealand
Vehicle(s)
2025 Mustang GT
Google must be confusing an engine with a crematorium.
Your temp gauges are your friends. I warm the car til it's at 60 - 70C for coolant before driving off from 1st start, and I won't cane it until water and oil temps are up to usual temps.
Then in winter when I get home, I leave the internal garage door open for house heating.
 

martin

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jul 24, 2014
Threads
34
Messages
623
Reaction score
65
Location
New England
Vehicle(s)
2024 GT convertible; manual: vapour blue; red leather : variable exhaust
I store my vehicle in the Winter. From Spring to Fall...

After startup, I wait for the fast idle sequence to end. About 30 seconds. I don't feel there's a benefit to waiting longer. After that, I drive the car "normally". No hard pulls. No high RPMs. "High" defined by something greater than about 4K. No rapid shifts.

What I look for is the Cylinder Head Temperature (CHT). Skye's nominal CHT is 185 F / 85 C.

When the CHT is consistently at 185 F, I do as I like. Less than 10 minutes after start.

By the time the engine has stabilized, there's also heat in the other components of the drivetrain.

Could I start the car, let it idle, until it reaches 185? I could, but I think driving to get to temps is better. As mentioned before, it's not just the engine, but the drivetrain. Further, letting the car sit and idle for long periods, hot spots develop. The airflow while driving relieves that, while spreading the heat to other components, making for a more consistent operating environment.
You mean fall to spring
 


Ewags81

Well-Known Member
Joined
Aug 20, 2024
Threads
9
Messages
320
Reaction score
424
Location
Midwest
Vehicle(s)
2024 dark horse
I had an old 76 Dodge my dad and i hacked up and shortened into a little red express. if you weren't close (to kick it down) on a cold morning that choke and idle cam would end up revving that thing to the moon
 

Deleted member 63333

Guest
i wait until start up fast idle slows to norm, then go, but easy. by the time I make it to the interstate temps are up and she wants to go and I let her.
 

AZ_Ryan

Well-Known Member
Joined
May 31, 2016
Threads
32
Messages
3,402
Reaction score
4,677
Location
Arizona
Vehicle(s)
2024 GT Premium
Wow, we have two threads on this going...🍿
 

samson

Well-Known Member
Joined
Mar 21, 2023
Threads
36
Messages
920
Reaction score
875
Location
Maryland
Vehicle(s)
'24 GT Convertible 401A, AVE, Brembos
I simply wait for the RPMs to kick down after starting before I get moving. Then pretty much romp it if i want
Exactly what I was going to say. This is all I do.
 

Alex381

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jun 27, 2025
Threads
0
Messages
164
Reaction score
184
Location
Ohio
Vehicle(s)
2024 Mustang GT/CS Convertible
Exactly what I was going to say. This is all I do.
Yep. This is it. Then I wait for oil temp to hit 180 while driving before I let er rip. Not much else to think about here.
 

steveo1960

Well-Known Member
Joined
Apr 1, 2018
Threads
46
Messages
1,035
Reaction score
947
Location
USA
Vehicle(s)
2024 Mustang GT Premium 401a, Auto, AE, Atlas Blue
I go easy on it until it warms up. What I do suggest is for the first few minutes, no audio blasting etc. Listen to the car. The motor, body, whatever for unusual sounds, vibrations and so forth. Turn around and head back to the starting point to investigate. It just might save you a very expensive repair or break down.
 

TMR

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jun 16, 2024
Threads
5
Messages
100
Reaction score
162
Location
NC
Vehicle(s)
'26 Mustang GT Vert, '21 F150 KR, '25 X5, '25 X3M50

Dave2013M3

Well-Known Member
Joined
Aug 22, 2014
Threads
32
Messages
1,546
Reaction score
810
Location
El Segundo,Ca
Vehicle(s)
2024 BMW M2 G87 6MT Toronto Red

Dave2013M3

Well-Known Member
Joined
Aug 22, 2014
Threads
32
Messages
1,546
Reaction score
810
Location
El Segundo,Ca
Vehicle(s)
2024 BMW M2 G87 6MT Toronto Red
I remember my first my E46 then my E92 M3 the redlines would increase as the temp increased. I think that was so cool. Then again those motors redlined over 8200rpm and 8400rpm.
Sponsored

 
 








Top