This is the first winter for me and my camaro. I've grown up around a lot of Diesel engine cars and have been taught to always let them warm up before going out on the road. I wasn't sure if it's better on my camaros engine if I let it warm up or if it's fine because it's gasoline? Granted I live in AZ and the coldest it gets is 40 but I'm really trying to keep this engine in great shape so that when I have the money to fix it up I won't run into any problems. Does anyone have any input? Thanks

 

It’s always a good idea to let your engine run before you put any stress on it. This allows your oil to reach operating temp and lubricate properly. Above 60 I would say just let the car run for one or two minuets before you start driving to let the oil circulate and warm up a little. Below that I would give the car at least 4 or 5 minuets to make sure the block, pistons, and oil are warm and good to go. Never cold rev an engine you want to keep this will knock thousands of miles off of its life. On a cold day here I will let my MSP warm up for up to 10 minuets before driving and for a turbo Mazda it has given me very little problems in 2 years.

 

40 degrees this time of year is short-sleeve weather up here!Leaving an engine idling for more than necessary isn't the best thing for it, no matter what the outside temp is.The warm upisn'tto make sure you're getting proper lubrication per-say,the engine is getting lubed as soon as it's running. The concern is the tolerances and clearances of the bearings, rings, pistons, etc. which all expand at different rates. How much time to give it depends on a few things. Obviously, you want the engine up to running temperature before you start hi-revving it. If you are going to be driving it on city streets for a short while at first, then just start the car and drive it, being conservative with the rpm's, and noidle warm up is needed. If you're going to jump on the highway right away, then give it a couple of minutes tops, and still don't rev it high till it warms up fully. Up here in the arctic of the midwest, when the temp is below freezing, you need to giveyour car a good few minutes to warm up (until the defrost is working) otherwise the windchill will frost up the windshield creating zero visibility. Anything above freezing, and I give mine less than a minute and take it easy till it warms up. You'll be doing yours no harm this way.

 

This is good advice. I still stand by at least giving a little time to warm up. The oil in the engine takes some time to warm and lossen in a way. But every thing said above about moving parts is also correct. And probaly more inportant .

 

modern engines dont require a "warm up" time. It is good to let them idle for about 20 seconds so the oil gets to the top of the cam case and all the parts are being lubricated before you set off.

Other than that theres not much use for warming up a modern engine.

 

The only reason I let my cars warm up is to wait until I have some heat coming out the heater/defroster. Some Suthena's probably don't know what it's like to sit inside an extremelycold car, exhale and have ice form on the inside of the windshield!