How To Cold Start a Car! - Cold Start Confusion: Is Idling a Car Really Warming It Up?
Vložit
- čas přidán 12. 09. 2024
- Is idling your car to warm it up actually hurting your engine and wallet? This video exposes the shocking truth about warming up your car and reveals the best way to get your engine running smoothly, saving you time, money, and the environment!
The cold start is a winter problem in most areas and cold engines wear quickly and the faster you can get it to operating temperature the better, but what is the best way to warm up a car?
How to cold start a car should be taught to every driver because doing it wrong can run up some expensive repair bills.
Please let me know in the comments how you warm your car up and which method you feel is best. (I know we won't all agree, but much depends on the weather and type of car you have...)
In this video, I'll explain:
What REALLY happens inside your engine when it idles: Is it actually getting warmer?
The hidden dangers of idling: Excess wear, moisture build-up, and even engine damage!
How coolant circulation is affected by a cold engine: Is it getting the lubrication it needs?
The BEST way to warm up your car: It's not what you think!
The surprising environmental impact of idling: Are you contributing to pollution without realizing it?
Simple tips to save money and protect your engine: It's easier than you think!
Stop wasting time and money idling your car! Watch this video now and learn the proven way to warm up your engine and keep it running smoothly for years to come.
Bonus: We'll also answer common questions like:
How long is TOO long to idle? ⏱️
What about in cold climates? ❄️
Does this apply to older cars?
What about turbocharged engines? ️
Don't let outdated myths damage your car! Get the facts and start warming up your car the right way today!
P.S. Share this video with your friends and family who love their cars (and the planet)!engine warm up, idling, cold start, car care, fuel efficiency, engine damage, moisture build-up, coolant circulation, environmental impact, save money, winter driving, turbocharged engines, car myths
#enginewarmup #coldstart #carcare #fuel efficiency #enginehealth #winterdriving #cartips #mechanictips #mythbusters #ecodriving
The cold start video referenced here at the start is here • 5 Minutes of Terror? T...
www.torquecars...
Legal Notice: Unless we have inspected your car we can only provide generic theory. All information is provided without warranty, please check any recommendations made with a mechanic locally to verify it would be legal in your area or region and that it would be suitable for your car and your needs. - Auta a dopravní prostředky
![🚫10 Driving Habits That KILL Your Car 💥[Warning]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/NONXE1_lE5Q/mqdefault.jpg)
![🚫10 Driving Habits That KILL Your Car 💥[Warning]](/img/tr.png)
![🚗 Unlock the Secrets of Motor Oil: A Comprehensive Guide to Car Care! 🚗 🛢️ [Which Engine Oil/Grade?]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/6L-okIiu0cc/mqdefault.jpg)
I live in Wisconsin so know a little about cold weather start up! Here's my routine depending on temp; IF the temp is 40 and above...there is no warm up. It's really not that cold for modern low viscosity oils. I run 0W 20 in both of my vehicles during the winter and they reach a suitable oil pressure almost right away at that temp. Between 0 and 40 I'll start the car then let it sit idling for about a minute while I plug my phone in, buckle my seat belt and find a radio station. Below 0deg that time gets extended to about 2 min. To me, as soon as the oil pressure is up, any more time idling is just a waste. Start driving and get the transmission warmed up as well as the coolant.
did it get bitter cold there about a month ago? I kept checking the Milwaukee weather when it was 20 below zero here in western Iowa and Milwaukee did not seem to get as cold nor did Minneapolis, which are the two coldest winter big cities in the USA per a weather channel ratings
The important question then is do you choose music according to your mood or does your mood get set by the music? It's classic Rock for me when i'm enjoying a drive.
We don't get anywhere near this in the UK, I guess that is probably a good thing, I doubt we would cope! lol
I live in Canada and far up north so it gets much colder. The only reason I let the car run is because of frost build up on the windows. I scrap and use defrost together to speed it up but still takes a few minutes. Haven't found a quicker way but if you know let me know.
We only had a few "bitter" days last month. This has been a very mild winter by our standards!@@efil4kizum
VW Polo 2023 owner here, the car initially idles at 1300-1500 RPM for about 20 seconds, maybe 30 seconds in the winter, after that idle revs go to 1000. After that, according to the manual, it's ready to go. I drive off smoothly in the city, keep cruise control on so that it manages the speed, let the oil get up to temperature until I have to accelerate on the motorway. Like that, it heats up within 3 minutes of driving, coolant at 90, oil at at least 50 (oil temperature starts showing on my dash from that temp). 2 years already, not burning oil, no coolant leaks, car happily zips whenever I want to have a spirited drive.
Many cars nowadays have valves in the coolant system which close up at cold startups, creating a smaller loop for coolant to circulate, and then open up once enough heat is built up and oil pressure is good. Just wait for the revs to drop to normal idle and then gently drive off, no need to do anything else besides clearing your windows, mirrors, and lights. The car will happily warm up during light driving. It's all in the design.
This is just another reason why I admire Toyota's hybrid system. It just takes care of this for you.
If the weather is cold, once you press Power On, the engine is started. You take off and the car rolls on electric power. The revs stay constant at around 1500 rpm and you can hear and feel the generator putting some load on the engine. After some 30 to 60 seconds of this warm-up period, the car switches into hybrid propulsion, using the engine's output to drive the car.
I live in the N.E. of the US. It gets pretty cold. I always let the car do its initial high rev (around 2000rpms) idle and then start driving. I keep the rpm's lower than 3000 until the engine oil is up to 80F and under 4000 until 120F. And no high revs until up to normal operating temperature, 170F. I'm not sure it does anything positive, but it's probably not a negative.
i do basically the same thing in the middle of the USA with temps sometimes falling well below 0*F at cold startup... located approximately 5 miles from the freeway entrance so it has ample time before the engine and transmission needs pushed to higher speeds. Have been doing this on the same toyota vehicle for nearly 27 years and 341k miles so it is definitely NOT a negative!
I do feel for people who live right next to the freeways, their cars never really get a proper chance to warm up before they are stoked for the drive.
You'll find the car lasts much longer, and the oil will stay in grade for longer periods of time with this approach. Which engine do you have? @artblackwood7936
I have Subaru NA F24@@torquecars
I turn on my car to defrost back and front windows then scrap off ice, snow and frost off side and front windows. The car is usually idling for a few minutes but drive when cabin and engine are still cold. Not sure if this is idle but it is best balanced solution I found.
It can take ages to get that ice off, any tips? I've been using tap water but it has frozen up my doors in the past.
@@torquecars I just scrap it with with brush/scrapper tool I keep in the boot. Defrost helps a bit with front windshield and back usually doesn't need any work.
In Canada, when the belts, and bearings and pumps stop whining you can drive. Or even a bit before if you are in a rush.
Having a passed with distinction and merit my City and Guild light vehicle diagnosis exams about 50 years ago, and a lifetime of working on and owning many different vehicles, I can absolutely concur with a gentle start to circulate the oil, followed by a gentle driving mode for a period long enough to get the engine/water/oil to a full operating temperature, and then drive with respect to the components for the rest of the journey, so no racing off the lights to get little to no advantage. As I currently live in the tropics the ambient temperature is never below 25C, so I have even less concerns about acidification of the oil due to cold running condensation. My current vehicle has a honey gold exhaust tip, my oil consumption is nil, and as I have used fully synthetic oil ever since completing the run in. I anticipate the engine will be the last thing to fail.
First class video by someone who knows his subject well.
Thank you.
I have a 27 year old VW Sharan and the engine is still superb.
I more or less have been doing as you describe in your video.
My oldest engine (GM 2.8L MPFI V6) is 36 years old. I've always let it warm up before driving. Warm up is pretty common, be it car, boat or airplane engines. Warm up lets the metals expand slowly, which is a good thing. Crank and go is when wear is introduced the most. Yes, it does burn a little excess fuel during idle warmup, but gas is cheap compared to the cost of an engine rebuild.
Driving the car produces vastly more heat than just sitting at idle but in cold temps i think its good to give it a couple minutes of idleing to circulate the oils and warm up the parts inside the engine
Get the engine going, clear the windows & roof (e.g., ice and snow), and get in & go. I know which RPM range is above idle but below full operation, and I keep it in that range until my oil temp is over 100°F and oil pressure comes close to normal 35-40psi.
Note that all these things are because I know my car. So get to know your car, and make decisions that are appropriate for your situation.
Thats good advice my friend, too many people never build that affinity with their cars and they are all different.
Best to use the ac to clear windshield as it is dry air and will clear it faster, plug in your block heater,for warmer oil in cold temperatures, takes about three hours, can always put a timer on outlet
I live in Thunder Bay Ontario for two years back in 78-79. I was fortunate that the school parking lot had plug ins, otherwise my car would never start. There were no synthetic oil back then. At -35C it was a challenge , frost inside the windows and square tires. Transmission was 5 speed , let's just say changing gears was slowwww. Clouds of vapor would block view of intersections. I was young ,it was fun.
Thanks for making this video. Very clear explanations on why leaving a cold engine idling for extended periods is harmful to it.
Oil nowadays is so thin you only need 30 second warm up, once the idle drops you are good to go.
I always wait about 30-45 seconds for the engine rpm to drop slightly during warm-up. Then I start driving.
About the same as me really. Which engine do you have?
@@torquecars I have a Honda 8th gen si k20 engine.
@@EricJennings91how do you like your
SI? I’m looking to get a 9th Gen SI - 6spd manual w/ K24 engine.
What about just drive slowly in the warm up period? I really don't like to seat there just for waiting the engine to be warmed up.
That is what I recommended in the last video but in some very cold areas you need to clear ice off the windscreen and get some heat into the car or the screen mists up, so for those people I'm recommending a slight load on the idle, but I still feel the start driving gently approach is far better, for both the engine and transmission.
@@torquecars Thanks for the explanation. Now I can understand it better!
Great tip, my friend, i work with technologi to reduce wear on engines and i give the same advise to my clients
Thanks for sharing I'm glad we are on the same page.
I think if people are basically idling the engine to clear the windscreen and other windows, then it's probably a bit of bad planning the night before, and should maybe have used a cover to protect the windows from frost and snow. A diesel engine takes a while to warm up, as it only really warms up when its working/under load. Do they still have engine plug in points in the cold countries to stop the engine freezing, despite antifreeze coolant?
As with my truck, i can set the night heater to run steady all night while i sleep without the engine running, and im sure this could be done with any vehicle.
my bmw manual recommends not to idle the engine initially on cold start but move away asap but keep the revs down as you do when running a new engine in pick up the revs once the engine has warmed up
I find on my VAG 1.5 tsi, if you put the heater on the engine oil takes longer to warm up. The inside windows are prone to misting up so after every trip I turn off the heating, open all windows few hundreds metres before parking up. That stops that problem.
Hi, I saw your entire channel does not have any video of 1.0 TSI engine. Can you please consider making one on that? Thanks!
The place where i live on rarely gets very cold or hot. Throughout the year temperatures veriates between -5 to 40 degres celcious. Im used to warming up my vehicles for at least 40 seconds to three minutes at most and then driving with very smooth acelerator actuations and without exeeding rpms. In my moms car i start driving when the idle goes under 1000rpms using lights and ac to put a little load on the sistem. On my air cooled carburated bike ill wait until the exaust note changes, it takes from 1:30 to 3 minutes depending on weather. It is mostly about letting metals to expand reducing tolerances. The car takes 8 seconds to reach full oil presure when cold, my bike takes up to 15 seconds.
Just start the engine and drive off normally.
It will take less revolutions to get warm when the engine has to deliver some power.
Hello i wait put my Seat belt on and go at Min when i reach temp i go today in 21 years a fiat punto JTD 360.000 km all original
It sounds like you look after that car, they are good fun to drive, I should probably cover the Puntos soon.
My modern standard turbo charged car will idle a little higher when first started for about 2 minutes, so I let it and drive it at low revs until it's warm
Yeah my gti takes around 30-45 seconds to settle, once it drops to 700-800 rpm it's good to go. I wait on start until it drops then I'm off. Modern oils are alot thinner so no real need to wait.
It only takes a few seconds for the oil to circulate around a cold engine, so then lubrication is in place. Better to drive away without over-extending the motor to get it up to temperature as quickly as possible. Leaving it idling is the worst thing you can do as unburnt hydrocarbons are created over a much longer period. However, be sure to ensure ice and snow are cleared away before driving off, and wait until the engine is a little warm before using the A/C. And don’t leave the car idling driverless on a public street as this is illegal, for obvious reasons.
I see so many people falling into this trap. How cold does it get where you are my friend?
@@torquecars it hardly gets much below freezing during winter. England.
im really not convinced on what you are saying,so i will carry-on doing my way let the engine to warm up betwee 7-15 min depending on the weather until the light for cold engine goes off. the most engine wear in a engine's life happens in the first 6 to 9 minutes thats why i think is recommended o put as less load as possible in those first minutes ...and that moisture will evaporate pretty quickly if u driving the car until the engine reaches the working temperature . And what about the moisture that builds up afther u switching off the engine ,the moisture is there anyway dosen't matter what you do !
How do you warm your car up? Do you think that is important? Got any tips to pass on that I've missed in this video?
Park your car where it will receive most sun instead of a car park surrounded by concrete buildings.
Not only will your car heat up quicker, you will not need to scrape any ice from your vehicle.
Tip: Don't tell your neighbours.
I used to start the engine and let it idle until I removed all ice and snow from the car. However, a few years ago I found an auxiliary heating kit for sale by a VW dealer, bought it and retrofitted it into my car. Since then, I basically never had to let the engine run in idle to warm it up again (at least not for more than a few seconds). That was probably the best 700€ I ever spent on car parts 😅
Sounds like a block heater. Surely the most efficient way to get heat into a cold engine
I just wait until the temp light goes away and idling less than 1K RPM, then drive for 10 mins approx. 2.5K RPM, then drive as I like thereafter.
The recent brutal cold spell in the middle of the USA had me starting and idling a 2o11 Tacoma 4-cylinder AT for about 2 to 3 minutes before putting into gear from park. Temps were -29*C (-20*F) ... does that 2-3 minutes idling warm up the crankcase oil sufficiently? ... it takes more than 5 miles (15 minutes) of driving for the heater inside the cab to get pleasantly warm at those temperatures!
I can't believe how cold that gets out there, you need to think about getting some heat in the transmission which really needs a gentle drive. A small load on the idle will speed up the warm up process and get the oil temps up to where you need them more quickly, but I know different engines and oils can benefit from a different approach.
@@torquecars the cold air polar vortex comes from the north in the middle of Canada so it must be much colder up there lol!
I only leave the engine to idle 20 sec and then drive off slowly not revving higher than 2k rpm
Can i Ask you a question on oil 5w40 valvoline or Shell helix h8
Which engine is this for? Is the helix also 5w40 and HX8 I couldn't find a H8 on my quick look.
@@torquecars fiat punto 1.9jtd Shell helix h8 5w40 the fiat say Selenia i tried Shell its good the oil Is clean on a diesel at 3000 mille
@@torquecars a fiat punto 1.9 JTD diesel It come with Selenia oil i whant to change with a full sintetico
I have a Ford transit connect 1.5 diesel- it's on a 21 plate ( 3 years old) & ive just had my 18k service- I normally just start it let it run for about 2 mins then just run it about 14-1500 rpm for the same time then drive off as normal- I have always tried to avoid a heavy RPMs for at least 10 mins- not easy when you have to use a major A road - great for keeping my DPF clean not sk good for cold engines- or so I was lead to belive
Plenty of cold starts but none on hot starts. Why ?
@mvnorsel6354 if you want a hot start, just turn engine off and on after a long drive 👍🏻
Diesel 1 min in winter and 15 sec in summer
Cars aren't designed to idle. Oil pressure is lower at idle compared to adding 500 RPM. Cold oil is harder to pump compared to warm oil. I've always advocated when the car is iced up, to start it, add some revs for a few minutes then get out & scrape the ice off the windscreen & above all, get driving it ASAP at low revs until the temp gauge starts to rise. That said, has anyone found research studies on the subject?
do NOT add revs for a few min's at first before scraping ice. That's THE worst thing u can possibly do to your engine! WOW! learn some basics man!
Drive it like a normie
Oh dear.. environmental guilt trip. Maybe you should torque to China. I don't think that needed to be mentioned. Maybe I don't need to use the car and can walk this trip? Maybe I could consider downsizing my car? Maybe I should get an EV? Maybe I can do without hot water at home? Ridiculously patronising.
I'm frankly more interested in prolonging the life of a car if truth be told. Patronising? perhaps to those who do have the common sense to properly warm up a car (which hopefully is most of our regular subscribers) but it seems many uninformed drivers out there are needlessly ruining their cars engine through sheer ignorance.
People should enjoy their cars and enjoy driving them in my humble opinion and I really don't feel that EV's are the "Green" solution they are made out to be. There are many so called "Green policies" that do nothing other than frustrate the motorist or increase the cost of car ownership.
This is an interesting response you have provided.
I'll quote you from the beginning of your video: "a lot of people are advocates of idling the engine."
Yet in your reply you claim some people, lack common sense, (hopefully not your regular subscribers, obviously) are also uninformed, and are downright ignorant! Are these the same people who idle their engines? Please clarify this for me, and for any engine idlers who happen to pass by this comments section.
Sorry my friend I didn't mean to imply that anyone was ignorant, just that many people simply don't know or just assume they know best.
That said I cannot be dogmatic either as there are so many different engines out there I'm sure there will be exceptions but in my experience based on many cars driven and oil analysis I came to these conclusions.
The key point of this video is that idling is not the best way to warm up your engine, primarily because it takes much longer than either just driving it or adding a small load to the engine whilst stationary to heat it up. (In my case around 7 mins warm up time against 15 minutes of idling.)
Idling itself on a warm engine does very little damage, but idling a cold engine causes accelerated oil degradation and consequential increased wear and tear.
I'm always curious to hear others opinions and experiences even if contrary to my own.