Warming CAR

[DiscoINFERNO]

Is it true that you should let your car WARM UP atleast for 3 minutes???? my car sometimes dies out when I shift from D to R ( only occurs when the car is COLD) like I drive 4 mins. away from my house then shift and it kinda dies but STARTS up FINE I think it only occurs when its cold....what do you guys think?

[Alak]

Probably poor advice

I just drive. I start and let the motor run for about 20 seconds, then go. When its really really cold like -20C It will stall when I put it in reverse, but once I start it again, its fine.

Most engines run extremely rich when they cold start, and since it takes longer to warm up sitting still, it will burn rich longer. This can lead to excessive carbon and soot buildup in the engine, cats and remaining exhaust. When you just drive, the motor is under load and therefore reduces the amount of time the engine is running cold/rich AND helps prevent excessive buildup.

ALSO, Idling isnt exactly healthy for an engine in general either.

This does not apply to diesel engines.

I should also probably mention that I do let my rover warm a bit when its cold. It idles for the amount of time it takes me to brush the snow and ice from my windows.

[TrentE]

Never had any problems starting and after a short period (like Alak said just brushing off snow) and then driving. I only have 72KM's (~40miles) and its never stalled even when its -40 and sat for the day, things are pretty slow at that tempature but no problems and no real need to let it idle for a long period of time before going. When you say cold, how cold do you mean? I would be less suprised with a stall in really cold -20 or -40 but if it is only mildly cold maybe there's more too it....

[Disco Mike]

I live in Colorado and the only thing I do is give the tranny 10 seconds to build pressure and I am gone, they don't need any warm up time even at 10 degrees.
So as for your's, when was the last time you tuned it, what octane gas are you using?
Mike

[DiscoINFERNO]

Originally Posted by Disco Mike

I live in Colorado and the only thing I do is give the tranny 10 seconds to build pressure and I am gone, they don't need any warm up time even at 10 degrees.
So as for your's, when was the last time you tuned it, what octane gas are you using?
Mike

I use the Best Gas (most expensive;premium) I was told that I don't need a tune up. The dealers said I should get one around 60,000 miles and I'm at 43,000 miles. My dad was saying something about oils need to lubricate the engine so its good to let the car run for a few minutes.... (Like you know how you can hear and tell the difference when you started the car in 10 degree weather versus 70 degree weather.....

[Disco Mike]

If your engine is not making a noise, it is getting all the oil it needs. Rovers run so rich that the longer you let it idle the more poluted you crank case will get from the excess gas.
Mike