How long of a warm up?????

tmf6902 · December 19, 2004

With my blazer (a carbed 305) the truck ran like crap when it was cold in the morning so I let it warm up quite a bit before I drove......Now with my "modern" 02 silverado, do these things have to warm up in the morning? I've never had it in a place where it was cold....I live in NC now, before I was in FL.....I know NC doesn't really get all that cold, but I am just curious. Remeber I'm in NC....I may see the 20's......I'm not talking -50

budhayes3 · December 19, 2004

With the newer fuel injected vehicles, you really don't have to let them warm up, but I still like to give it a few minutes to let the oil heat up a bit, let the valve springs get some heat in them (especially since I have aftermarket performance springs), and I like to get the engine closer to operating temperature before I really get on it.

I usually go 3 to 5 minutes. (I stand outside of the truck and smoke a cigarette while it warms up since I don't smoke in the truck...wanna quit soon (smoking) so I'm gonna have to find something else to do for 3 to 5 minutes)

blue2kzr2 · December 19, 2004

I start my truck, flip through my CD wallet to find one I want to listen to for the day, change the CD and take off. My truck is garaged for now though, so it's above freezing when I start it, not much need to warm it.

If it's outside, I'd probably run the same routine, with maybe a little extra time before rolling out. When it snows, I start the truck, clear it off and by the time I'm done, it's warmed up enough. Keep in mind though, that I run Mobil 1, which flows better in the cold temps...

facn8me · December 19, 2004

My comfort is key first, so if it's cold it'll sit and warm up with me inside.(the house) Any other time it's varoom-brake-gear-go, but never hard till it's run for a few miles to warm up the trans and diff.

Truckman031 · December 19, 2004

I let my truck warm up for about 5 minutes in the winter. This lets the oil get circulated throughout the engine.

tmf6902 · December 19, 2004

thanks guys.....I always keep off the throttle till the engine and tranny temps get up, I just didn't know about first start up.....like I said with the blazer I had to wait till it was at normal operating temp, SOB would stall and stall and stall if I tried to put it in drive while it was cold....but whatd'ya expect with 180K+ miles on it.

blue2kzr2 · December 20, 2004

About waiting for the oil to circulate. If you have pressure indicated on your gauge, you have oil pretty much circulated, unless there's a blockage. The OPSU is at the top of the engine. This is a fairly good indication the top-end has oil circulating to it.

I drive my truck while at work also, it often won't sit for much more than 2-3 hours. I usually won't let it warm up long before going if it has sat for less than 3 hours or so.

SlamminL5s · December 20, 2004

Man... With My Cavalier I Have To Leave It Warm Up For About 15 Mins Because My Tranny Gums Up When Its Cold I Dont Know If This Is A Common Thing With A 5 Speed But Wouldnt Mind Knowing If A Engine Block Heater Will Help!

The SPEEDY · December 22, 2004

That is usually pretty common with manual trannys. In fact the same type thing is going on inside an engine and auto trannys when it's cold, it's just very noticable in a manual tranny. Mine acts the same way in the morning now, sometimes it won't hardly even go in reverse without several trys.

As far as warm up, I hop in mine and go. I keep the rpms under 2500, if that, until it's warmed up though.

chase · December 22, 2004

With my blazer (a carbed 305) the truck ran like crap when it was cold in the morning so I let it warm up quite a bit before I drove......Now with my "modern" 02 silverado, do these things have to warm up in the morning? I've never had it in a place where it was cold....I live in NC now, before I was in FL.....I know NC doesn't really get all that cold, but I am just curious. Remeber I'm in NC....I may see the 20's......I'm not talking -50

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