View Poll Results: do you let your engine warm before taking off?
yup
19
35.19%
nope
20
37.04%
when i remember
0
0%
when i have time
8
14.81%
only when it's REALLY cold out
6
11.11%
don't need to, it's warm all the time here
1
1.85%
Voters: 54. You may not vote on this poll
do you let your engine warm up before taking off?
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 1,750
Likes: 0
From: Peoria IL
2003 MB C230 coupe
do you let your engine warm up before taking off?
i let the car sit until the RPMs drop below 1k. this is a good indication that the engine is warmed up.
you'll notice that when you start the car in cold weather, the RPMs are just slightly above 1k, but after you drive a while and stop the car, they rest at below 1k. i know this is because the engine has warmed up, i just don't know why this happens. any info on this anyone? i also don't know if warming an engine is necessary.
also, there's a poll here too.
you'll notice that when you start the car in cold weather, the RPMs are just slightly above 1k, but after you drive a while and stop the car, they rest at below 1k. i know this is because the engine has warmed up, i just don't know why this happens. any info on this anyone? i also don't know if warming an engine is necessary.
also, there's a poll here too.
Last edited by truelove; Feb 11, 2003 at 12:52 PM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 2,753
Likes: 0
From: York, PA
2003 C230K Sport Coupe, 1986 190E 2.3
Nope, just start it and wait a few seconds and then drive off. I use this time to turn on my seat warmers and pick a station on the radio. It is only a few seconds between startup and proper idle so I am off as soon as the car idles normal. And yes it is a waste of gas as the car will warm faster when driven.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 2,465
Likes: 0
From: SF Bay Area
2002 C230 K
Re: do you let your engine warm up before taking off?
Originally posted by truelove79
the RPMs are just slightly above 1k, but after you drive a while and stop the car, they rest at below 1k
the RPMs are just slightly above 1k, but after you drive a while and stop the car, they rest at below 1k
Generally, once you start the car, driving it around warms it up as well or better than letting it sit.
Cheers, BT
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 1,750
Likes: 0
From: Peoria IL
2003 MB C230 coupe
okay, thanks. i honestly had no clue whether or not warming up the engine was necessary at all. i'll probably still wait for about 30 seconds before driving off but i won't sit for any longer than that. even articles that tell you that idling and warming up a car is unnecessary advise at least sitting for about 30 seconds to let oil circulate and such.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 2,184
Likes: 0
From: New York
2011 E550 Sedan
the way i gauge whether the engine has warmed up enough is usually wait till the needle is pointing under the 1000 rpm mark... when it reaches under 1000 rpm....... i take off 
I'm not sure how it is on the 1.8L though...
I'm not sure how it is on the 1.8L though...
Trending Topics
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 2,498
Likes: 3
From: Ashburn, VA
'19 GLC 300, '19 TM3SR+
> i let the car sit until the RPMs drop below 1k. this is a good
> indication that the engine is warmed up
A good indication of that is when the temperature gauge bar shows nominal value (80-95 C).
However, warming engine at idle does more harm than good, as the idle mode is the worst for the engine.
40-45 seconds is plenty enough, that's what it takes to warm up the cat converter.
Drive off but don't race the engine - this is the safest (and quickest) way to warm it up.
> indication that the engine is warmed up
A good indication of that is when the temperature gauge bar shows nominal value (80-95 C).
However, warming engine at idle does more harm than good, as the idle mode is the worst for the engine.
40-45 seconds is plenty enough, that's what it takes to warm up the cat converter.
Drive off but don't race the engine - this is the safest (and quickest) way to warm it up.
Last edited by vadim; Feb 11, 2003 at 01:29 PM.
MB World Stories
The Best of Mercedes & AMG
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Verdad Gallardo
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine
Verdad Gallardo
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction
Verdad Gallardo
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping
Verdad Gallardo
10 Most Reliable Mercedes-Benz Models You Can Buy Used
Verdad Gallardo
Member
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 81
Likes: 0
From: Central US of A
2003 C 230K Sedan
Well, I second Vadim's opinion.
All of you should just keep it under 4000 RPM until it is warmed up. That is what is most important.
FWIW... I let my car sit for maybe 15 seconds (as long as it takes for the garage door to open) then I just take it easy (under 3000 RPM - with my automatic) until the temps are up.
They do warm up best when driven.
All of you should just keep it under 4000 RPM until it is warmed up. That is what is most important.
FWIW... I let my car sit for maybe 15 seconds (as long as it takes for the garage door to open) then I just take it easy (under 3000 RPM - with my automatic) until the temps are up.
They do warm up best when driven.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 1,230
Likes: 0
From: Gaithersburg, MD
2002 C240 6-spd (ret)
I let the car sit for about 10-20 seconds when cold. By then, the fast idle on my C240 drops below 1K. However, this does not mean the engine is warm -- you need to check the temp gauge as someone mentioned. Drive moderately until engine gets close to normal temp range.
BTW, fast idle during cold startup is not just for smog reasons. Cars have had fast idles for the last 50-100 years -- that also used to be part of the "choke's" function. Cold engines require a richer fuel mixture, and a slightly faster idle prevents roughness when first starting.
I'm not "that" old, but for those who don't know or remember, cars used to have a manual choke knob that you pulled out when the car was cold. It closed part of the carburetor air intake to allow for a richer mixture and at the same time, moved a cam into position to keep the throttle open more. As the car warmed, you pushed in the knob to set the mixture for normal operation and return the idle to normal speed. Then, cars used an automatic choke mechanism which was similar to a thermostat -- a coiled spring which contracted and expanded in relation to temperature. This took the place of the manual choke knob. Eventually, almost all cars replaced the complex carburetor with fuel injection and computers and voila -- perfection!
BTW, fast idle during cold startup is not just for smog reasons. Cars have had fast idles for the last 50-100 years -- that also used to be part of the "choke's" function. Cold engines require a richer fuel mixture, and a slightly faster idle prevents roughness when first starting.
I'm not "that" old, but for those who don't know or remember, cars used to have a manual choke knob that you pulled out when the car was cold. It closed part of the carburetor air intake to allow for a richer mixture and at the same time, moved a cam into position to keep the throttle open more. As the car warmed, you pushed in the knob to set the mixture for normal operation and return the idle to normal speed. Then, cars used an automatic choke mechanism which was similar to a thermostat -- a coiled spring which contracted and expanded in relation to temperature. This took the place of the manual choke knob. Eventually, almost all cars replaced the complex carburetor with fuel injection and computers and voila -- perfection!
Admin Alumni
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 8,143
Likes: 19
See Garage
If the car is stone cold, it cannot "warm up" in 30 seconds.
This is always a fun debate. Me? I turn the key, count to 4 or 5 (once the starter motor noise dies down), put in reverse, back out of garage... go.
Use your dyno mode to see how the oil level instantly drops the second you turn the car over... the car has plenty of oil to coat everything within a second or two.
This is always a fun debate. Me? I turn the key, count to 4 or 5 (once the starter motor noise dies down), put in reverse, back out of garage... go.
Use your dyno mode to see how the oil level instantly drops the second you turn the car over... the car has plenty of oil to coat everything within a second or two.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 7,587
Likes: 0
From: Louisiana
E320
Originally posted by Mark08859
Car and Driver stated, awhile back, that with today's modern engines and oils, the average car needs to be warmed up for 30 seconds.
Car and Driver stated, awhile back, that with today's modern engines and oils, the average car needs to be warmed up for 30 seconds.
Super Member
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 987
Likes: 0
From: Houston, TX
2002 C230 Coupe Black/Charcoal C5 C7 Auto
i usually wait about a minute or two before i start moving. Then i take it easy on the car (below 40mph) until the temp gauge hit about 90F (i think its F or C) then i feel safe to push the car....sometime when its really cold (under 40F) and I dont wait long enough the car at low speed accel will not get out of 1st gear until u let off and hit the accel again....has anyone experienced this? I also let the car run at about under 40mph for 5min before shutting off the engine (cool down) when pushing hard. yeah i'm paranoid.
Banned
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 265
Likes: 0
Since my car is garaged at both houses, it is rarely really cold. Normally, I take a few seconds before starting off and run it 'conservatively' (under 3000rpm) for the first mile or so.
If, by some chance, it's left outside overnight in deep winter, the conservative stretch extends until the temp gauge gets up to about 80.
If, by some chance, it's left outside overnight in deep winter, the conservative stretch extends until the temp gauge gets up to about 80.
Newbie
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 14
Likes: 0
From: Melbourne, Australia
c-klase
From previously owning a Porsche 911 and a Bmw m3, I am in a habit of letting the engine warm for at least 2-3minutes as requested via the manuals.
Hence I let my Benz warm for the same amount of time.
Take it however you will with a grain of salt.
Hence I let my Benz warm for the same amount of time.
Take it however you will with a grain of salt.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 1,230
Likes: 0
From: Gaithersburg, MD
2002 C240 6-spd (ret)
Originally posted by tberry
i usually wait about a minute or two before i start moving. Then i take it easy on the car (below 40mph) until the temp gauge hit about 90F (i think its F or C) then i feel safe to push the car....sometime when its really cold (under 40F) and I dont wait long enough the car at low speed accel will not get out of 1st gear until u let off and hit the accel again....has anyone experienced this? I also let the car run at about under 40mph for 5min before shutting off the engine (cool down) when pushing hard. yeah i'm paranoid.
i usually wait about a minute or two before i start moving. Then i take it easy on the car (below 40mph) until the temp gauge hit about 90F (i think its F or C) then i feel safe to push the car....sometime when its really cold (under 40F) and I dont wait long enough the car at low speed accel will not get out of 1st gear until u let off and hit the accel again....has anyone experienced this? I also let the car run at about under 40mph for 5min before shutting off the engine (cool down) when pushing hard. yeah i'm paranoid.
I know what you're saying about keeping the speed down, and not to disagree, but miles per hour isn't the important thing, its rpm. I mean, you can do 25 miles per hour in 1st gear at about 6000 rpm -- not too good for a cold engine
. On the other hand, 60miles per hour at 2500 rpm is cool!On a related note, once I had a new car and the manual said keep it under 4000 rpm for the first 1000 miles. My wife drove it with me and I told her to take it easy. At the first stoplight, she pushed it pretty good and wound it out to 4500! She said, "I was just accelerating normally"!
Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 64
Likes: 0
From: florida
e500 4matic; c240
my ML's manual said to just start driving
I've heard, and I am pretty sure it is in the ML's manual that you should start driving so that the car will warm up faster and thus reduce emissions and avoid excesive engine wear caused by not enough oil going up. The ML does have a code so that the transmission will hold the gears longer to keep RPMS higher so as to warm the car faster (this does not mean you should floor it with a cold engine).
my 0.02
my 0.02
Junior Member
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 58
Likes: 1
From: Detroit, MI
2007 R350
I did notice the same on my 2.3l Coupe - I start the engine, wait about 10 seconds (we're having between -10F and 25F for several weeks now) and then I drive off. The car will shift "late", at around 2800 RPM the Auto will shift. This goes on for about 1 minute or less. After that I still go easy on the throttle (up to about 3000 RPM and once the temp gauge hits 60-80 degrees I drive "normally" (which is propably a lot more restraint then most of you guys here, well I'm in my 40s now.... :o ).
Super Member
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 687
Likes: 1
C320 Coupe
Originally posted by Mark08859
Car and Driver stated, awhile back, that with today's modern engines and oils, the average car needs to be warmed up for 30 seconds.
Car and Driver stated, awhile back, that with today's modern engines and oils, the average car needs to be warmed up for 30 seconds.
I would still take it easy as the rest of the rotating parts need to get proper lubrication as well. Manual transmissions, rear differentials, U-joints, wheel bearings, and parts of the automatic transmission will not lubricate until the start rotating.
Last edited by TNblkc230wz; Feb 12, 2003 at 01:06 AM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 1,377
Likes: 1
From: Vancouver Island, B.C. Canada
2005 smart cabrio; 2008 Mercedes-Benz B 200
He's right
Once the oil light goes out, the car is fair game. To drive gently, not to rev.
Rich mixtures accelerate cylinder bore and ring wear; the sooner your engine reaches operating temperature, the better for its longevity. The quickest way to warm an engine up is to drive the car.
I use very conservative warmup driving techniques: shift at 3000 rpm maximum until coolant reaches 70 degrees, then 3500 rpm maximum until coolant has been at operating temp for a couple of minutes.
The degree to which this has worked is impossible to say empirically, but it's evidently done my old 405 no harm. It has 285,000 km (177 K miles) on the original engine and it is still pretty tight, probably good for another 150,000 km minimum. Maybe it'll hit 500,000 km. Well, one hundred thousand at a time...
Rich mixtures accelerate cylinder bore and ring wear; the sooner your engine reaches operating temperature, the better for its longevity. The quickest way to warm an engine up is to drive the car.
I use very conservative warmup driving techniques: shift at 3000 rpm maximum until coolant reaches 70 degrees, then 3500 rpm maximum until coolant has been at operating temp for a couple of minutes.
The degree to which this has worked is impossible to say empirically, but it's evidently done my old 405 no harm. It has 285,000 km (177 K miles) on the original engine and it is still pretty tight, probably good for another 150,000 km minimum. Maybe it'll hit 500,000 km. Well, one hundred thousand at a time...
Super Member
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 756
Likes: 1
From: Canada
Re: He's right
Originally posted by Mike T.
Once the oil light goes out, the car is fair game. To drive gently, not to rev.
Rich mixtures accelerate cylinder bore and ring wear; the sooner your engine reaches operating temperature, the better for its longevity. The quickest way to warm an engine up is to drive the car.
Once the oil light goes out, the car is fair game. To drive gently, not to rev.
Rich mixtures accelerate cylinder bore and ring wear; the sooner your engine reaches operating temperature, the better for its longevity. The quickest way to warm an engine up is to drive the car.
