How much time do you allow for warming up your car before you move? What are your opinions on start and go?

I start and go, but then my Mercs are in an insulated garage and I plug them in frequently.

There is a very, very extensive thread on this if you search on Diesel Discussion. Make sure you have some time before you search

Start it up and its pretty much warmed up before I hit the highway to go to school...

Referring to my 240D as soon as the oil pressure pegs I put it in gear and start off slowly (is there any other way) on my 18 mile commute.

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Jim

if i am going on a long trip i will warm it up so that the seats and such are warm before departing so i won't have to take my coat off later on the road.

but it it is a short trip i just start it up and go easily.

if it is zero or lower i will let it run for maybe twenty or thirty seconds before taking off.

tom w

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[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.

Outside thermometer read -10F last night before I went to bed. This morning I let the truck warm up for ten minutes or so. In a warmer climate I go with no warm up.

When it's really cold say from 55degrees or lower I warm it up until I just see the temp needle move them I drive easy until it get's to around 60 or so then I let it rip.
It's usually warmed up before I get to the highway 1 mile away.

Danny

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1984 300SD Turbo Diesel 150,000 miles

OBK member #23

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Since when is 55 really cold?

Hey guys- Is it better to let the car warm up or just start-n-go? I have a 17 year old SEL.

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"It's normal for these things to empty your wallet and break your heart in the process."
2012 SLK 350
1987 420 SEL

.......30 seconds.......then drive it easy until it's at operating temp.

I had been one to wait for the temp gage to come off the bottom stop before I go. But I have come to the conclusion that modern engines, fuel injection systems and oils make it safe to start off easy and let it warm up on the go. I was wondering how others view this method.

I think the gas engines are just fine with 15-30 seconds.

My diesels need more time when it's brutally cold. Sometimes they won't idle for a minute or two. Even when they do idle, they don't want to move until the temperature needle just comes off the peg.

Evn if you warm up the engine, the transmission is still ice cold. Best to just start and go, taking it easy so everything warms up together.

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1985 380SE Blue/Blue - 230,000 miles
2012 Subaru Forester 5-speed
2005 Toyota Sienna
2004 Chrysler Sebring convertible
1999 Toyota Tacoma

I hit the remote start on cold (sub 25F) mornings, which is programmed for a five minute cycle. I'm usually in the truck before the cycle is over. My commute requires me to access an expressway just a few blocks from my house, and I usually have to kick the ol' girl into passing gear on the onramp in order to merge with the flow of traffic. I hate doing that with an ice-cold engine and trans.