WarmUp Method

[EFFalcon]

i start it and thrash the shit out of it...

[Psycho Chicken]

And wonder why you bend valves :P

[Brute33]

Originally Posted by SSbaby

Definitely drive off soon after startup as the cats heat up quicker to allow the engine's PCM into closed loop operation sooner. But keep it under 2000rpm until all fluids are up to operating temps.

Better for the car and environment. But each to their own...

Not true ..
Closed loop operation happens at idle and cruising only , as the ECU is receiving the oxygen sensor/s feedback which in turn keeps the A/F ratio at around 14 to 15 : 1 which is around optimum for the cats to clean the exhaust gases.

Open loop is used for anything else , which is where the mapping comes into play.

As for warming up . Start for 30 secs with a few light revs , then take off.

[SSbaby]

Originally Posted by Brute33

Not true ..
Closed loop operation happens at idle and cruising only , as the ECU is receiving the oxygen sensor/s feedback which in turn keeps the A/F ratio at around 14 to 15 : 1 which is around optimum for the cats to clean the exhaust gases.

Open loop is used for anything else , which is where the mapping comes into play.

As for warming up . Start for 30 secs with a few light revs , then take off.

I beg to differ. O2 sensors don't work until they're heated up to around 330C degrees. That's the physics and chemistry part of it out of the way!

As for open loop, it is usually engaged at power enrichment mode which most of the time is WOT but not necessarily.

As for 14.7... that's stoich and that occurs when the mixture is nearly 15 parts of air to one part fuel ... which is normally at cruise (i.e. when the economy is best).

You sound like you think you know what you are talking about. I will counter your argument with solid evidence if you still disagree. ;)

BTW, the cats don't like constant periods at idle especially at cold start as the mixture is very rich and not good for the cats... that's why manufacturers these days move the cats closer to the engine - for faster heating of the O2s and quicker response time in closed loop.

[needturbo6]

Closed loop operation happens at idle and cruising only

my 4L EB stays in closed loop to a certain amount of load which is nearly always up hills and up to about 10-20% throttle on flats.

and 14:7.1 is the optimum ratio for the mixture to get burnt completly

[lv619]

Haha, i just jump in and drive. I'm usually always late for something, so theirs no time for warming up my car, lol.

[big_waity]

Car engines are not stationary engines, they are designed to carry a load. The best way to warm an engine up is to start it, then drive straight away, but gently. You need to put a load on the engine from the moment it starts. However, you also need to get oil all over the inside. So, just start it up, then take off and drive around gently until it is up to running temp, then, don't you dare let it drop below redline :P

[Kenaz]

I start driving pretty much straight away and take it easy for the first 15 mins. My old EA used to cop a flogging, I'd jump in and with no mechanical sympathy start thrashing it before the temp needle had even moved. Now my bro's car it's done about 400,000 and still going strong. Built Ford Tough eh?

[FordFan86]

Just thought i'd add my 2c... 14.7 is the stoichmetric ratio required for complete combustion, ie.. pure oxygen + fuel (some big carbon chain), this is not the case for cars as AIR does not contain 100% pure oxygen, this is why cats are required to filter out the N and C compounds which are a result of incomplete combustion.

[SSbaby]

Originally Posted by FordFan86

Just thought i'd add my 2c... 14.7 is the stoichmetric ratio required for complete combustion, ie.. pure oxygen + fuel (some big carbon chain), this is not the case for cars as AIR does not contain 100% pure oxygen, this is why cats are required to filter out the N and C compounds which are a result of incomplete combustion.

OT:

On the GM PCMs you used to have what's called a lean cruise feature until the EPA stamped it out - the AFRs were as high as 17:1- this feature was omitted on US vehicles due to their tougher emission laws.

BTW, for maximum torque, the AFRs should be around 11.2:1 while for max power, around 12.8:1 but it does vary slightly between engines.

[Timmeh]

Originally Posted by smciner1

The GT I have to let warm up, it usually takes about 3 - 5 minutes before it decides it wants to idle by itself.

My RS2000 has the same characteristics, you'd need three feet to drive it if it is to be driven cold. But that doesn't happen, you just need to be patient heh.

Tim

[XplosiveR6]

Originally Posted by EFFalcon

i start it and thrash the shit out of it...

ow, poor car, gets no lovin

[pepsimax]

i just start it let it idle for a few seconds while i put the sunnies on and set the phone up then drive as normal,,under normal driving conditions you won't hurt the motor or transmission or the diff as they are built for it,,now if you were to redline it on cold start then you derserve what you get,,,a slap up the side of ya ed,

[Steffo]

I start the car, let it warm up, then drive off. Keep it a bit light for a while until the gearbox, diff etc warms up.

[AUIII XR8 MAN]

I start it let it idle for about 30sec than drive off slowly till it warn up.

[Dilan]

My manual warns me not to let it warm up for more than 20-30 seconds.

[Falcon Freak]

I usually let the car idle for 30 seconds before I start to drive. This is not enough to warm up the car but is enough time to allow 'everything to settle'. Once on the road I don't start giving the car stick until it reaches normal operating temperature.

FF

[protd]

it depends on the car the xr8 just start and go.. but the cortina with its forged pistons and agressive cam you'd be mad not to let the engine warm up before driving/racing

[HLC]

i just drive.

[LTDHO]

I thought this thread died in Feb

[johnydep]

Start it up and drive, that's the best way to get all parts of the engine warmed up as well as the drive train.

Long idling only warms some parts of the motor and nothing else, giving a false impression that the vehicle is ready for anything.

The Territory section had a similar poll awhile back; Do you warm up your Tezz?

One important thing to note is engine oil viscosity, thinner oil is better for cold weather start up.

[Genghis]

I start it up, buckle up, mirrors etc and then I'm away. Not to much in the way of warm up really.

[boogernissan]

i have an ea spac sedan 4sp auto,i wait for oil pressure to go up and lifters to quieten down,there a bit noisy on start up then cruise off normally,no real warm up period at all.i wait a bit before i start givin it a hard time,dont really cain it though cos its a gutless auto.need to put my t5 in it

[Hardtopxb]

I just wait until my oil pressure reaches normal specs, then drive the car normally..

[DODDO]

I start it up and go lok the house up, which takes about 3 mins or so. Then put it in gear and off we go.
I dont give it a hard time though, just low revs till its warmed up, then i drive it normally after that.

[MoreHPformyXR6]

Originally Posted by XplosiveR6

oil pressure takes a whole 3 seconds to build up so that should not be a concern, i always just drive my car easy untill it gets to full operating temperature, the quicker it gets up to temperature the less wear on the engine.

I do same. I dont usually drive my car hard at all. But if I ever do its always after it's warmed up.

[Kryton]

todays car guide said the best way to warm up a car is to start it and then drive it straight away.

[Ryan]

With the VL, I just start it up and let it idle over for a couple of minutes.

I've had to do it, because sometimes on start up it's misfires a bit and chugs.

It's brilliant, after it's warmed up though..

[Joes_meat]

I usually give it about a minute. Then I don't exceed 2,000 rpm until full operating temperature.

[99FalconS]

Get moving straight away but dont stress the engine let warm up.

Most thinf=gs i have read say that you dont need to let it idle and that it just a good way to waste fuel.