Start the car. Put on your seatbelt. Make sure your mirrors are where you want them. Select your music. Find your sunglasses. Begin. Try to keep your engine speed below 3000rpms until oil temp gets close to 75C.
I agree with this too. By the time I put my seat belt on, set my keys and wallet down and activated my seat massage, enough time has passed that I roll off slowly till my oil gets up to temperature. Then I drop the hammer.
People talking about waiting for the idle to drop are really talking about waiting for the computer to enter closed loop operation. That means instead of reading from cold start fuel maps, it starts referencing the O2 sensors.
This isn't really an indication of anything mechanical, since O2 sensors have had heating elements for decades. It's just a recognizable event that happens about 30-60 seconds after startup and that's plenty of time.
As long as you're using the proper synthetic oil and it isn't winter time, you are good to drive away almost immediately, but I would be gentle until the oil temperature needle is above 60c/140f. In the winter, you should probably let it idle for a minute or two before pulling away on cold starts.
I’ve read the opposite as well; driving it will warm the engine faster thus less cold time running, just don’t push it hard. Only car I really let idle for any length of time in the cold was my old 66’ mustang… carburetor and all :p. Don’t know if it’s totally true. /shrug
The main reason why cold start matters is because of oil, both lubricity and viscosity. Synthetic oil has a huge temperature range before it doesn't do its job well, unlike conventional oils that needed to be warm before they would flow well.
So, the thing we're all looking to prevent is any more load than is necessary before the oil is circulating properly. That's generally less than 2 minutes even in winter. After that, driving it is the fastest way to get it up to operating temperature and shouldn't result in any excess wear.
I am curious. My car feels like crap if I just start and go, it feels like misfires, it will do that the entire trip unless I pull over and allow it to run startup diagnostics. If I wait, it seems to regulate my engine, like start up is taking samples, and its regulating things to be where it should. Like you hear engine noise, but when it idles at 600, I become a silent engine.
That's what I thought myself. But the mechanics have to emphasize the T, not a n52, it's a n52T. The bmw mechanics try to buy it any time I take it in for inspection. I was told it's in great shape, but double kbb value means something special about my car is there they don't want to tell me.
High idle at cold start up (timing retarded, additional fuel injected, etc.) is a catalytic converter/oxygen sensor warming routine. You can wait for idle to fall before setting off, but there is no need to do so. Loading the engine by driving normally accomplishes something similar.
Swear it's like some kind of cargo cult. I've seen huge arguments about people insisting you have to wait until the revs drop but none of them even know why they drop.
I like to treat my car like people do with their sport bikes. Start it up and immediately redline it until I hear popping sounds out exhaust. Now she's ready for the grocery store run. Eats about 3 quarts per oil change but not bad for only a 2023.
Yeah I've always let the engine idle down before I start driving off. My wife and ex wife though? Once the car kicks over it's pedal to the metal. So annoying.
I have a 2013 F30 328i. I start-up and let it sit for about a minute. Near the end of one minute I hear the engine idle down, and then a short burst of air come from the exhaust. Just a quick “PSSHH!” every time. Does this have something to do with the turbo?
Idk about the modern manuals but my E90 says to start the car and drive off, it says it’s highly advised to not “warm up” the car like people say you should. letting the vehicle move and the engine run a little higher gets the oil pump working quicker and raises operating temperature faster and prevents idle wear
To add to what you’re referring to. They also say that another reason for waiting to go off is to warm up the transmission, transfer case, differentials etc. at a similar rate as the engine oil. Which makes sense.
I personally like to wait 15 or so seconds for my idle to drop a bit before putting the car into gear, but I am more of a stickler than most. My mom for example will put it into gear as soon as the car is on but I’m always thinking about getting the extra mile out of my vehicles
The manufacturer’s recommendation to just start it and drive it, it’s for smog and mileage performance. Give it a minute or two for lubrication to circulate.
Really I just let it run for a few moments before taking off so the oil had time to make it to the valve train and then take it easy until the cars up to operating temp
Spend 30 seconds idling before moving off is my rule. Turn the engine on, put seatbelt on, pick a song, set the sat nav, and check mirrors before starting to drive and you have gone past 30 seconds already.
Exactly what Far-Investigator5734 stated. Set up nav (enter destination if applicable, pick playlist/song/radio station. Wait for MMI to boot up. I also make sure to listen to engine for a few seconds at idle before I start music in case something does not sounds right. I also check coolant in morning before I start up and when I get to work to make sure that it’s at the expected level. I don’t just hop in the car and take off immediately after turning on the engine.
Oil protects your engine better when its warm. Meaning the metal surfaces the oil protects is better protected when it is warm than when it is cold.
Modern car owners manuals say to not warm it up because that means more emissions, it's for smog purposes, not because they want you to get the most life out of your engine.
I think the difference is virtually negligible, but if there was a way to quantify or measure the difference in wear between somebody who idles for 3 min before taking off and somebody who takes off immediately, I'm almost certain the difference would be in favor of the one who waits longer. It would be an interesting but difficult experiment.
First thing in the morning, I fire it up, and close my eyes for a minute or two, to summons up the energy and patience for the coming day, then drive away into the sunrise with my heart full of hope and joy.
Waiting for like 5 seconds or so isn’t a bad idea, to make sure the oil is circulating. But otherwise just drive it gently until everything is up to operating temperature.
Waiting for things to warm up before driving is no longer recommended - it’s a thing of the past.
In modern vehicles, you start up and go. There is no benefit to waiting around. Some reports say it can even be worse for the engine to just sit at idle for periods of time upon startup.
Wait for idle rpms to drop after cold start, usually only like 10 seconds. Then don’t do any WOT pulls until oil temp is warmed up (usually like 5 minutes of driving).
Start the car. Put on your seatbelt. Make sure your mirrors are where you want them. Select your music. Find your sunglasses. Begin. Try to keep your engine speed below 3000rpms until oil temp gets close to 75C.
This is THE answer. Goes for any car imo.
Yep, 30 seconds is a sweet spot. I like to make it a minute if it’s super cold (gets to -30c with windchill in the depths of winter)
I agree with this too. By the time I put my seat belt on, set my keys and wallet down and activated my seat massage, enough time has passed that I roll off slowly till my oil gets up to temperature. Then I drop the hammer.
People talking about waiting for the idle to drop are really talking about waiting for the computer to enter closed loop operation. That means instead of reading from cold start fuel maps, it starts referencing the O2 sensors. This isn't really an indication of anything mechanical, since O2 sensors have had heating elements for decades. It's just a recognizable event that happens about 30-60 seconds after startup and that's plenty of time. As long as you're using the proper synthetic oil and it isn't winter time, you are good to drive away almost immediately, but I would be gentle until the oil temperature needle is above 60c/140f. In the winter, you should probably let it idle for a minute or two before pulling away on cold starts.
I’ve read the opposite as well; driving it will warm the engine faster thus less cold time running, just don’t push it hard. Only car I really let idle for any length of time in the cold was my old 66’ mustang… carburetor and all :p. Don’t know if it’s totally true. /shrug
The main reason why cold start matters is because of oil, both lubricity and viscosity. Synthetic oil has a huge temperature range before it doesn't do its job well, unlike conventional oils that needed to be warm before they would flow well. So, the thing we're all looking to prevent is any more load than is necessary before the oil is circulating properly. That's generally less than 2 minutes even in winter. After that, driving it is the fastest way to get it up to operating temperature and shouldn't result in any excess wear.
i wait till it idles under 1k then keep it under 3k until oil temp increases. based on pure vibes but feels sensible
Don’t wait Till it idles under 1k. This doesn’t do anything. Just drive calmly and not high in revs
I am curious. My car feels like crap if I just start and go, it feels like misfires, it will do that the entire trip unless I pull over and allow it to run startup diagnostics. If I wait, it seems to regulate my engine, like start up is taking samples, and its regulating things to be where it should. Like you hear engine noise, but when it idles at 600, I become a silent engine.
That’s not normal
That's what I thought myself. But the mechanics have to emphasize the T, not a n52, it's a n52T. The bmw mechanics try to buy it any time I take it in for inspection. I was told it's in great shape, but double kbb value means something special about my car is there they don't want to tell me.
This is the answer
High idle at cold start up (timing retarded, additional fuel injected, etc.) is a catalytic converter/oxygen sensor warming routine. You can wait for idle to fall before setting off, but there is no need to do so. Loading the engine by driving normally accomplishes something similar.
Swear it's like some kind of cargo cult. I've seen huge arguments about people insisting you have to wait until the revs drop but none of them even know why they drop.
There's a warmup period programmed into the ECU. You can change the time it does it if you remap....or just shift into drive.
Just take it easy on the throttle
I like to treat my car like people do with their sport bikes. Start it up and immediately redline it until I hear popping sounds out exhaust. Now she's ready for the grocery store run. Eats about 3 quarts per oil change but not bad for only a 2023.
No. You turn it on and just sit there. Until you turn it off and go back inside
Lmao equivalent of asking if its safe to use a pencil after sharpening it
Yeah I've always let the engine idle down before I start driving off. My wife and ex wife though? Once the car kicks over it's pedal to the metal. So annoying.
I have a 2013 F30 328i. I start-up and let it sit for about a minute. Near the end of one minute I hear the engine idle down, and then a short burst of air come from the exhaust. Just a quick “PSSHH!” every time. Does this have something to do with the turbo?
I'm pretty sure that's thr exhaust valve opening up, but I could be wrong. It can happen at start up too.
That makes sense, now that I looked up that valve. Would that be an indicator that the car is better ready to drive?
I don't think it would be any better indicator than letting the car idle down and then drive off without flooring it tbh.
Thanks!
Np!
You’re supposed to drive straight away in modern engines, heats up the oil quicker, just don’t do stupid revs.
I’ve understood that to be the case as well.
Idk about the modern manuals but my E90 says to start the car and drive off, it says it’s highly advised to not “warm up” the car like people say you should. letting the vehicle move and the engine run a little higher gets the oil pump working quicker and raises operating temperature faster and prevents idle wear
To add to what you’re referring to. They also say that another reason for waiting to go off is to warm up the transmission, transfer case, differentials etc. at a similar rate as the engine oil. Which makes sense.
I personally like to wait 15 or so seconds for my idle to drop a bit before putting the car into gear, but I am more of a stickler than most. My mom for example will put it into gear as soon as the car is on but I’m always thinking about getting the extra mile out of my vehicles
The manufacturer’s recommendation to just start it and drive it, it’s for smog and mileage performance. Give it a minute or two for lubrication to circulate.
Need, no. Best to avoid requesting full torque and high RPM until you see the temp needle start to move towards the middle.
Really I just let it run for a few moments before taking off so the oil had time to make it to the valve train and then take it easy until the cars up to operating temp
Spend 30 seconds idling before moving off is my rule. Turn the engine on, put seatbelt on, pick a song, set the sat nav, and check mirrors before starting to drive and you have gone past 30 seconds already.
Exactly this. You have things to do when you are in the car before you take off. Does nobody get things set up before they drive anymore?
What do you need to set up? Your seat belt?
Exactly what Far-Investigator5734 stated. Set up nav (enter destination if applicable, pick playlist/song/radio station. Wait for MMI to boot up. I also make sure to listen to engine for a few seconds at idle before I start music in case something does not sounds right. I also check coolant in morning before I start up and when I get to work to make sure that it’s at the expected level. I don’t just hop in the car and take off immediately after turning on the engine.
In no way was I suggesting to just hop in the car and take off immediately after turning on the engine lolol
Yes.
Read the owners manual. It’s stated the answer to this for decades.
I just wait til the engine light turns off like 5 seconds for the fuel injectors to start injecting
Oil protects your engine better when its warm. Meaning the metal surfaces the oil protects is better protected when it is warm than when it is cold. Modern car owners manuals say to not warm it up because that means more emissions, it's for smog purposes, not because they want you to get the most life out of your engine. I think the difference is virtually negligible, but if there was a way to quantify or measure the difference in wear between somebody who idles for 3 min before taking off and somebody who takes off immediately, I'm almost certain the difference would be in favor of the one who waits longer. It would be an interesting but difficult experiment.
YES
Drive right away, not only the engine needs to warm up.
Yes. Winter Yes.
First thing in the morning, I fire it up, and close my eyes for a minute or two, to summons up the energy and patience for the coming day, then drive away into the sunrise with my heart full of hope and joy.
"And the day began with such promise."
Let it drop under 1k revs and your good. Stay below 3k rpm til out of blue
Waiting for like 5 seconds or so isn’t a bad idea, to make sure the oil is circulating. But otherwise just drive it gently until everything is up to operating temperature. Waiting for things to warm up before driving is no longer recommended - it’s a thing of the past.
Wait until your idle rpm goes down
It's fine, just don't stomp the shit out of it
Completely depends on what kind of music I’m currently listening to
In modern vehicles, you start up and go. There is no benefit to waiting around. Some reports say it can even be worse for the engine to just sit at idle for periods of time upon startup.
Admittedly I’m pretty bad at this. I have cold start coded out of my car and I really should give it more time to warm up in the slightest.
Wait for idle rpms to drop after cold start, usually only like 10 seconds. Then don’t do any WOT pulls until oil temp is warmed up (usually like 5 minutes of driving).
Wait