I usually wait until OP is up, then go when ready (takes me a while to lock and load anyway ...). If it's real cold (which it sometimes is when I leave work at 2 a.m.), I let it idle for a minute or so then go. If I feel it needs to warm up, I drive around the parking lot (big lot) a couple times slowly. Idling to warm it up seems pointless ... it takes forever, and the tranny fluid still needs to warm up anyway.

The exception is if I'm iced in, I let it idle while I clean off the snow/ice ... might as well get rear window defrost up and going.

__________________
1987 300D, arctic white/palomino--314,000 miles
1978 240D 4-speed, Euro Delivery, light ivory/bamboo--370,000 miles
2005 Jeep Liberty CRD Limited, light khaki/slate--140,000 miles
2018 Chevy Cruze diesel, 6-speed manual, satin steel metallic/kalahari--19,000 miles
1982 Peugeot 505 diesel, 4-speed manual, blue/blue, 130,000 miles
1995 S320, black/parchment--34,000 miles (Dad's car)

I bought one at autozoo last year, magnetic, think it was in the $20-$30 range. I believe it was zerostart branded. I'm sure that tractor supply or farm&Fleet would carry them also.

__________________

Gone to the dark side

- Jeff

Northern tool has a 150 watt oil pan heater. Silicone pad with glue. http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_6970_200339139_200339139

This one has a chart to show how many watts you need based on application:
http://www.warehouseautoparts.com/Specials/Kat/Kats_24100_Silicone_hotpad_oilpan_heater.htm

Lots of different heaters:
http://www.warehouseautoparts.com/Specials/Kat/Kat_heater_Specials.htm

They also have other sized. I bought a 25 watt, 50 watt, and a 100 watt heater. I also bought a 60 watt battery heater. You just have to ask.

-Jim

__________________
1995 S350D, Green with black leather interior.
Bought January 2008 w/ 233,xxx miles.
I did 22,000 miles during the first year of ownership.

get in the car

warm the plugs

plug in iPod

latch seatbelt

turn key

check oil pressure

go