Quote:
Originally Posted by kavlono
Why should you not let the engine warm by idling it? The manual says you should begin driving right away. Anyone know why this is?
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Every owner's manual will say that, because: 1. You are wasting fuel sitting there, more, also, than you would at a warm idle by contrast because the engine is running richer when cold. 2. You are increasing emissions, (a) because again, you are spending extra time with the car running just sitting there, and (b) because the cold motor emits more hydrocarbons than one at operating temp because the cats have to heat up to do their job with max efficiency. 3. You are defeating your own purpose - you do this because you want your engine to be operating at warm temps, which is better for the motor - but all you are doing is PROLONGING the period at which your motor is operating BELOW it's normal operating temp. That is because it warms up MUCH more slowly when just idling than it would by being driven. I'd encourage you to prove that one for yourself, but that would be...well, you know
So, the best thing you can do is drive off basically right away (seatbelt on first of course
) remembering to operate it gently until it's warm - light throttle loads and moderatate rpm until then!