Maniacs at seaports, engine abuse

[Todd Young]

I personally side with Dan on this one. You don't want to get in, start 
it up and through it in gear and go, but on the other hand, I don't 
think it helps to let the vehicle warm up excessively. EXCEPT in 
sub-zero temps, especially with an automatic transmission. Then I would 
let the engine/trans warm up for probably 3-5 minutes before heading 
out. No matter what, I always take it easy for the first few miles. I 
believe that the car warms up faster driving than it does just sitting 
there.

Dan DiBiase wrote:
> Mike, re: your warm-up comments, I was always told that an excessive
> warm-up period, done consistently over a period of years, was more
> damaging to the engine than a short warm-up and then driving off
> moderately. Reason was that the engine warms up more quickly when driving,
> circulating the oil sooner to where it is needed.... So, my usual routine
> is to start the car, buckle my seatbelt, turn on the climate control and
> radio, lock the doors and then drive away (again, easily - i.e., no
> revving beyond 3k rpm for the first few minutes). Obviously, if the
> windows are iced that's a different story but this has been my normal
> routine with my cars for years. I do this in place of allowing the car to
> 'warm up' in my driveway for 10 - 15 minutes, like many of my neighbors.
> 
> Dan D
> '04 A4 1.8T q MT-6
> Central NJ USA 
> 
> 
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-- 
Todd Young
7079 Dawn Ave. E.
Inver Grove Heights, MN 55076