Just wodnering how long people wait before driving off in the morning so the engine is not cold.

Presumably it is advised to wait a few minutes before driving so that the engine warms up.

Cheers

No, it's best to only wait a few seconds. Long enough for the oil to pump round, then drive gently unitl things warm through. With a TDI it will hardly warm at all idling.

I get in and drive off. No more than that. Car is fine....Shouldnt it be??

Turn the key off we go flat out

I m suprised - I always was led to believe that the most amount of damage was done in the first ten minutes on a cold day

I m suprised - I always was led to believe that the most amount of damage was done in the first ten minutes on a cold day

that's what castrol say to make you buy the super dooper gtx magnetec rubbish...

i think the first reply in this thread sums it up nicely:)

In the winter, I wait until I can see out the windows then drive off

Chris

Normally start it up and let it run for a few minutes as I was always told most wear is done when cold

I m suprised - I always was led to believe that the most amount of damage was done in the first ten minutes on a cold day

Cold starts do cause the most wear, but uneccesary idling makes it worse.

To elaborate:

Start the car from cold as little as you can. Don't let it idle more than required, treat it gently when cold.

Normally start it up and let it run for a few minutes as I was always told most wear is done when cold

So you're leaving the engine colder for longer while you wait for it to warm up Best to put it under some load and heat it quicker....

Chris

Just a few simple facts to help

Yep most damage IS done when the engine is cold

However a diesel won't warm up unless it's under some load. Guess what - idling is not gonna load it sufficiently.

If it's frozen up, I'd start the engine, drop on the recirc and turn on the heat. Then get the ice off the outside, drop back to on the windows and drive off, trying to make firm progress. The engine heats up quickest that way.

So you're leaving the engine colder for longer while you wait for it to warm up Best to put it under some load and heat it quicker....

Chris

Absolutely, provided you don't rag it.

If the car is not a desiel - ie a petrol cr - do you still think the same?

Yep, just get in and go.

I get in, whack the heated seat on and go. I do try to keep under 2000 revs until it comes up to temp, but after reading this I'm thinking I may be a little anal?

hmmmm... not sure I agree with some of this! With a petrol engine it is important to drive off straight away. Leaving the engine idling will cause damage. However this is not the case with diesel engines. You can leave a diesel engine idling for ages with no problems at all (assuming the engine is not new) - hence why most generators run on diesel! Also, a diesel engine will warm up if left idling, it will just take a while.

It is a good idea to let a diesel engine run for 10 seconds or so before driving off (to let the oil circulate if nothing else), but you're not going to cause significant damage if you don't.

Is this realy an issue with modern cars?

What the hell do you do if you can't pootle gently along till your engines up to the correct temp. What do you do if like me you drive 200 yrds to the end of your road and then 9 times out of 10 have to pretty much floor it to get out safely on a very busy main road?

. You can leave a diesel engine idling for ages with no problems at all (assuming the engine is not new) - hence why most generators run on diesel!

all the diesel generators i've worked on have built-in fast idling systems which run the engine at faster speeds when it's cold...

and generators run on diesel becuase they produce more torque and the fuel is cheaper, remember you can run generators on red!! i cant really comment on domestic generators because i've not had much experience with them, but in the entertainment industry i've seen(and worked on) generators that come in a 40 foot container with enormous volvo diesel engines producing about 1500kw in 3 phase,

P-A :

You said:

not sure I agree with some of this! With a petrol engine it is important to drive off straight away.

Are you sure about this? Can you please explain your reasoning?

Thanks

Turn the key , then wait as long as it takes me to adjust the seatbelt , turn the radio on and then drive off.

As long as you don't start redlining it in the first few seconds then that's fine

P-A :

You said:

not sure I agree with some of this! With a petrol engine it is important to drive off straight away.

Are you sure about this? Can you please explain your reasoning?

Thanks

To be honest I can't remember the exact reason. I believe it's something to do with the solvents that are in petrol. I'll double check and get back to you (both my dad and my brother are mechanical engineers!)...

drive normally, no waiting on idle.

In the Skoda manual for the Fabia it states (P72 - Driving Tips)

" Do not warm up engine when vehicle is stationary

"At idling speeds it takes a very long time untill the engine reaches its normal operating temerature. However , in the warm-up phase , wear and the discharge of pollutants is particularly high. For this reason , drive off immediately the engine has started and avoid high engine speeds " (presumably this last point refers to your driving untill the engine is up to normal temperatures)

HTH

In the Skoda manual for the Fabia it states (P72 - Driving Tips)

" Do not warm up engine when vehicle is stationary

"At idling speeds it takes a very long time untill the engine reaches its normal operating temerature. However , in the warm-up phase , wear and the discharge of pollutants is particularly high. For this reason , drive off immediately the engine has started and avoid high engine speeds " (presumably this last point refers to your driving untill the engine is up to normal temperatures)

HTH

Thing is though, as I pointed out in my previous post, this is not always possible!

I get in, whack the heated seat on and go. I do try to keep under 2000 revs until it comes up to temp, but after reading this I'm thinking I may be a little anal?

Under 2k maybe is a bit anal, but gentle driving until al least some heat has got through is good.