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Finally are having a "normal" winter here in NYC and it was freezing on Christmas. This of course prompted many *ahem* heated debates around dinner tables or whatever about the necessity of warming up modern vehicles before driving.
The old timers wanted to go out and start up their cars and let them idle... Younger members were like "no, you don't need to do that any more... Still you'd find some sitting parked in their vehicles for five or more minutes after starting up waiting for the car to "warm up".
Confess only time do this is when vehicle has been sitting for a few days and it is really cold, *and* have ice/snow to clear off windshields, roof and hood. Otherwise just get in, start things up and roll. Yeah it may take a bit for heat to reach full blast but other than that.....
You bet! But all depends on how cold it is where you live. It was -25 degrees by my house this morning, so yes, I always warm it up before I drive my car or my truck, and while it warms up and starts blowing some warm air in the cab, I scrape the ice off the windows and windshield.
it depends on the car. with my 05 merc, i start it up, and when the idle settles down i go. that takes about 15 seconds.
with my vintage cars, i run them long enough to get to the point where they will idle and launch without stalling. that usually takes about 30 seconds to a minute.
My TDI rarely sees temps below 40 degrees. Under those circumstance, I cycle the glow plugs twice before attempting to start the engine. I warm up the car long enough to defrost the glass...nothing worse than driving off in a car with declining visibility. Regardless of temperature, I idle the engine for at least 10 seconds to make sure the oil pressure is proper and I take it easy for the first half mile or so.
As for our hybrid and our EV, we just get in and drive.
I have a garage, so no warming up required. But if my vehicle sits outside long enough, and it's cold enough, I'll use the remote start and let it warm up for 10-12 minutes. That makes it bearably warm inside, as the heater comes on full blast when the remote start is used and it's below about 35-40 degrees.
Like others have mentioned, I also use the remote start and with the climate sensors, it knows to also activate the cold weather features. As a result, my warming up is as long as it takes to get to the car, get inside, make myself comfortable, set the entertainment system and put it into drive. Not sure how true this is, but my mechanic said the vehicle is designed to be started and driven in freezing temperatures with no impact of the mechanicals. He said its fine to get in and drive away so long as you not initially straining or lugging the engine right out the gate.
I wait until the water temperature starts to rise, before taking off. I know that the heater will blow warm, and the fluids had a chance to thaw out. I would hate to hit the throttle on a cold engine. good thing for heated seats!
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