To warm-up or not to warm-up...

[WhiteRangerDanger]

I'm not sure if anyone is tuned but I have the Ford tune... when I start the truck, it seems like it's going through all the gears and I'm thinking, ok, I should let the truck do that (warming up? Takes about 30 seconds), then I can start driving. I'm no expert but that's my ritual

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[SigOris]

If everyone just installed that infamous @AzScorpion device, this wouldn’t need to be discussed ?

 

[OrangeStreak]

OK, here's the thing... I agree with: Don't waste gas letting it idle... environmental issues and all. Agree, support all that, etc.

My modus operandi is:

1. Wake up... finally
2. have coffee... second wake up...
3. Tylenol to get all the joints moving...
4. Look out the window and check the temp...
4a. -0... remote start the Ranger, EPA, etc. be damned... 15 min only - for me not the truck
4b. 0 to 32... most likely remote start... , EPA, etc. be damned... 15 min only - for me not the truck
4c. 32+ no remote start, just get in , start, idle while I buckle up; pull away in less than 1 min.

If 4a or 4b:
a. one last hit of coffee (or take a thermal mug with me)
b. given that the state of the Ranger in winter is most often this:

c. head on out and clean it off while on remote start... 4 to 5 minutes to clean off.
d. get in; start; buckle up; start driving.

With all that, I will point out that NO ONE has answered the central question:
Is it MECHANICALLY better for the a. engine b. rest of drive train to start and do at least a 1 to 2 minute warm-up (till it comes fast idle to warm the catalytic converter) OR it does not matter (in any practical sense)?? Anything EPA, environmental to be disregarded.

Richard,
On 4a or 4b, I would edit the note to this: get 2 hits of coffee and take an extra-large thermal mug!

 

[Tremortized]

Probably been stated multiple times, but I let all my cars do their high idle thing for 45-60 seconds, then as soon as it drops to low idle I go. I don't really consider that a warmup, so much as a "get the liquids flowing". Warmup to me would be coolant at operating temperature. Then again, with a turbo, warmup is oil to operating temperature (before I go into boost).

 

[ccasanova22]

Getting the oil to operating temperature (above 212F) takes over 30 miles of highway driving if you live in the Snow Belt or north of that, anything less and it shows in oil analysis reports.

If I don’t drive 30+ miles at 0 or below F temperatures, every car I’ve owned stays below 212F oil temp (but gets to normal coolant temp within 5-10 miles).

In a nutshell, YMMV if you have short trips as warming up may or may not get your OIL up to proper operating temperature.

 

[ppfd]

I hit the remote start, I have it programmed for 10 minutes. let the truck "high idle" and go. I always give it a good 5 minutes in cold weather, as mentioned to get the juices flowing. I always take off before the remote start times out.

I've watched people turn the key and go. I can't image that to be good.
Then you have my old neighbor who would literaly run his car an hour to melt the snow off. I know it shouldn't bother me but damn, I hate lazy people.

 

[Old NaCl]

Only warm up is for my comfort, not the trucks.

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