Warming up the engine: Myth or not?

[NiceTeggy]

Is it bad if you start your car and dont warm it up until the temperature neddle goes to the normal area?
I usually let it run for two mins. just to make sure the oil circulates, then i drive at no more than 2K rpms until the temperature goes to the normal range.
what do you guys think. Is it a myth or does it really affect the longevity of your engine

[AP1fun]

Let it run for 30 seconds (at least) then your good, as long as you keep in in the lower RPM range. The tranny also has to warm up so no hard shifts either. If you run the car to long (at idle) it will burn the altenator out.

[jodyf86]

i always let my car run for at least a minute. i don't know if this practice will actually lengthen the engine's life or not but i'd rather be safe than sorry.

[TJ213]

I start it and rev the **** out of it, this isn't going to end well....


seriously though, I don't have time to let it warm up, so I just start it up and go. I try to shift around 3k until I get a few bars, then I VTEC it.

[JCool]

ya im the same way i just let it run for a little and wach my rpms you will see as it warms up just a little they go down. what i mean is when i first start my car the rpms are alittle under 2000rpms and let it stand for a little and it will go to half way and then under. i think that ya 30sec. are good enough.

Also i just keep it in 1st and 2 gear for driving in 25 mph roads.

[TJ213]

wait a second... I thought your car was a AT?

[Stan86]

Yea warming up does make the engine run for longer life
and more power too!!

[k20a2Stitch]

Actually, honda released an article about this. They do NOT recomend letting the car's temp needle go to half. IT decreases oil life, cuases more wear, etc...

Honda recomends, starting the car for 30 seconds before giving it any kind of gas, and drive the car at lower rpms until its fully warm.

In those 30 seconds, i usually put my seatbelt on and run through the gears a few times.

[TJ213]

I start the car, belt up, turn on the stereo / heater, and back out using just the clutch for the first 30 seconds, so I am technically not touching the gas, is that ok?

[AP1fun]

Originally Posted by TJ213

I start the car, belt up, turn on the stereo / heater, and back out using just the clutch for the first 30 seconds, so I am technically not touching the gas, is that ok?

Should be fine. I always turn on my Ipod which takes a little bit, then find a song I wanna hear then back out.