# How long do you let your car warm up in the morning?

**URL:** <https://forums.speedlife.net/t/how-long-do-you-let-your-car-warm-up-in-the-morning/76970>\
**Category:** NYSpeed Automotive\
**Created:** [December 7, 2009, 6:42am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/how-long-do-you-let-your-car-warm-up-in-the-morning/76970 "2009-12-07T06:42:41Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 20\
**Page:** 3

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**Author:** ![Cgold607](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/bcef8e/32.png) [@Cgold607](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Cgold607)\
**Post date:** [December 7, 2009, 10:23am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/how-long-do-you-let-your-car-warm-up-in-the-morning/76970/41 "2009-12-07T10:23:31Z")

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The only engine designed to just “hop in and go” are diesels. granted having a block heater greatly helps in the winter time, but it is not recommened to let a diesel idle to just “warm up”. letting it idle for a min or so to let the oil circulate and slightly warm the turbo is fine IMO. gas engines are different obviously. does anyone have any reliable sources that says your not supposed to let a engine warm up other than mens health? the amount of time i let my vehicles warm up depends on the temp. if its barely freezing maybe a few mins. snow covered cold. 5-9 if its like -20 outside ice everywhere around 10ish

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**Author:** ![dreid](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/dreid/32/7388_2.png) [@dreid](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/dreid)\
**Post date:** [December 7, 2009, 10:29am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/how-long-do-you-let-your-car-warm-up-in-the-morning/76970/42 "2009-12-07T10:29:27Z")

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i let the remote start timer run out which is 20 mins. Most days its just 5 mins or so because I forget to start it.

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**Author:** ![theblue](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/theblue/32/5074_2.png) [@theblue](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/theblue)\
**Post date:** [December 7, 2009, 10:56am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/how-long-do-you-let-your-car-warm-up-in-the-morning/76970/43 "2009-12-07T10:56:25Z")

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I’ve heard that the reason german cars don’t offer remote starts is because the worst time to idle your car is when it’s cold and has no oil pressure.

I just drive it without much stress until it gets up to temp.

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**Author:** ![XwalkerX](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/xwalkerx/32/7598_2.png) [@XwalkerX](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/XwalkerX)\
**Post date:** [December 7, 2009, 10:59am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/how-long-do-you-let-your-car-warm-up-in-the-morning/76970/44 "2009-12-07T10:59:27Z")

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well since the only car i own is a diesel now… start and drive.

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**Author:** ![JayS](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/jays/32/15375_2.png) [@JayS](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/JayS)\
**Post date:** [December 7, 2009, 11:04am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/how-long-do-you-let-your-car-warm-up-in-the-morning/76970/45 "2009-12-07T11:04:50Z")

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99% of the time 0 warmup.

If it’s really cold out I’ll let it warm up for about 10 minutes so I’m not freezing my ass off on the way to work.

I take it pretty easy on it until it warms up though.

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**Author:** ![deebo](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/deebo/32/5218_2.png) [@deebo](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/deebo)\
**Post date:** [December 7, 2009, 11:20am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/how-long-do-you-let-your-car-warm-up-in-the-morning/76970/46 "2009-12-07T11:20:18Z")

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> [@theblue](#):
>
> I’ve heard that the reason german cars don’t offer remote starts is because the worst time to idle your car is when it’s cold and has no oil pressure.
> 
> I just drive it without much stress until it gets up to temp.

How does a car build oil pressure if it’s not on though?

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**Author:** ![d3x](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/8491ac/32.png) [@d3x](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/d3x)\
**Post date:** [December 7, 2009, 11:33am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/how-long-do-you-let-your-car-warm-up-in-the-morning/76970/47 "2009-12-07T11:33:20Z")

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when the oil is cold it has a high resistance to flow and the oil pressure is _higher_ because the pump is trying to squeeze the thick oil through the passages. warming the car up under load will give you the least amount of wear.

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**Author:** ![ieatpaint](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/ieatpaint/32/7311_2.png) [@ieatpaint](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/ieatpaint)\
**Post date:** [December 7, 2009, 12:10pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/how-long-do-you-let-your-car-warm-up-in-the-morning/76970/48 "2009-12-07T12:10:41Z")

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I have an engine block heater and it’s garaged, so typically about 15 seconds.

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**Author:** ![Carbonfiberhooded](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/carbonfiberhooded/32/7608_2.png) [@Carbonfiberhooded](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Carbonfiberhooded)\
**Post date:** [December 7, 2009, 12:23pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/how-long-do-you-let-your-car-warm-up-in-the-morning/76970/49 "2009-12-07T12:23:25Z")

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> [@travisn](#):
>
> not having that hooked up does nothing for cold starts. it prevents icing of warm humid air as it passes through the throttle body due to the pressure drop caused by the throttle plate.

Yeah I should of wrote cold weather driving. Not really the start as everything is cold at that point. It actually does help with cold weather driving though. Helps your idle settle down quicker.

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**Author:** ![Firehawk853](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/firehawk853/32/7607_2.png) [@Firehawk853](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Firehawk853)\
**Post date:** [December 7, 2009, 12:27pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/how-long-do-you-let-your-car-warm-up-in-the-morning/76970/50 "2009-12-07T12:27:39Z")

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i’ll hit the remote start when I start putting on my jacket.

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**Author:** ![Hass](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/51bf81/32.png) [@Hass](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Hass)\
**Post date:** [December 7, 2009, 1:40pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/how-long-do-you-let-your-car-warm-up-in-the-morning/76970/51 "2009-12-07T13:40:52Z")

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turn it on and go.

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**Author:** ![97FormulaWS-6](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/97formulaws-6/32/7384_2.png) [@97FormulaWS-6](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/97FormulaWS-6)\
**Post date:** [December 7, 2009, 1:46pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/how-long-do-you-let-your-car-warm-up-in-the-morning/76970/52 "2009-12-07T13:46:18Z")

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> [@d3x](#):
>
> when the oil is cold it has a high resistance to flow and the oil pressure is _higher_ because the pump is trying to squeeze the thick oil through the passages. warming the car up under load will give you the least amount of wear.

This I’ve heard, but it never made sense to me…

if my oil is thick and the pump is having a hard time pumping it; why would I rev the RPMs and make the engine work harder when it’s not pumping the volume of oil it should?!?!?!? Wouldn’t the lack of oil during startup/warm up negatively effect the engine?

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**Author:** ![mindless](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/mindless/32/7286_2.png) [@mindless](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/mindless)\
**Post date:** [December 7, 2009, 1:47pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/how-long-do-you-let-your-car-warm-up-in-the-morning/76970/53 "2009-12-07T13:47:05Z")

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Start it and start beating it so it warms up faster. If there is snow out it will be sideways as soon as i touch the street.

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**Author:** ![91MR2](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/91mr2/32/7217_2.png) [@91MR2](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/91MR2)\
**Post date:** [December 7, 2009, 1:48pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/how-long-do-you-let-your-car-warm-up-in-the-morning/76970/54 "2009-12-07T13:48:12Z")

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About a minute…

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**Author:** ![burnt\_toast](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/burnt_toast/32/7518_2.png) [@burnt\_toast](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/burnt_toast)\
**Post date:** [December 7, 2009, 2:05pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/how-long-do-you-let-your-car-warm-up-in-the-morning/76970/55 "2009-12-07T14:05:55Z")

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until the windows are clear and i don’t shiver uncontrollably behind the wheel.

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**Author:** ![theblue](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/theblue/32/5074_2.png) [@theblue](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/theblue)\
**Post date:** [December 7, 2009, 2:09pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/how-long-do-you-let-your-car-warm-up-in-the-morning/76970/56 "2009-12-07T14:09:08Z")

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> [@97FormulaWS-6](#):
>
> This I’ve heard, but it never made sense to me…
> 
> if my oil is thick and the pump is having a hard time pumping it; why would I rev the RPMs and make the engine work harder when it’s not pumping the volume of oil it should?!?!?!? Wouldn’t the lack of oil during startup/warm up negatively effect the engine?

it’s always pumping and there is always some pressure… it’s just that the longer you have it sitting in the cold state while running, the more wear. Granted, you don’t want to drive it hard until it’s warm either.

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**Author:** ![livin4hockey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/d2c977/32.png) [@livin4hockey](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/livin4hockey)\
**Post date:** [December 7, 2009, 2:09pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/how-long-do-you-let-your-car-warm-up-in-the-morning/76970/57 "2009-12-07T14:09:23Z")

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> [@Blue Eyed Devil](#):
>
> No ice on windows = 0 warm up.  
> 2 feet of snow with ice under it = up to 10 minutes.

This. Don’t have the luxury of a garage to keep my car in ☹ So it’s all dependent on how quickly I can safely get going. As soon as the windows are clear I’m off.

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**Author:** ![deebo](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/deebo/32/5218_2.png) [@deebo](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/deebo)\
**Post date:** [December 7, 2009, 2:11pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/how-long-do-you-let-your-car-warm-up-in-the-morning/76970/58 "2009-12-07T14:11:39Z")

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> [@theblue](#):
>
> it’s always pumping and there is always some pressure… it’s just that the longer you have it sitting in the cold state while running, the more wear. Granted, you don’t want to drive it hard until it’s warm either.

is this true for all oils? or just thicker oils

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**Author:** ![theblue](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/theblue/32/5074_2.png) [@theblue](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/theblue)\
**Post date:** [December 7, 2009, 2:13pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/how-long-do-you-let-your-car-warm-up-in-the-morning/76970/59 "2009-12-07T14:13:57Z")

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I would think all, but to different degrees?

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**Author:** ![deebo](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/deebo/32/5218_2.png) [@deebo](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/deebo)\
**Post date:** [December 7, 2009, 2:17pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/how-long-do-you-let-your-car-warm-up-in-the-morning/76970/60 "2009-12-07T14:17:09Z")

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Well maybe a different poll, but what oil do u run during the winter?  
ive ran 5w30 all year round , dont know if i should switch it up? or just leave it

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