idling on cold weather...good or bad?
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 1,479
Likes: 76
From: Nyack, NY
C300 Sport 4Matic
idling on cold weather...good or bad?
So every morning I start up my C and let it idle for 5 min for the engine to warm up.....is this good for the engine? Read somewhere to just take off after start 
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,351
Likes: 90
From: Germantown, MD/Rehoboth Beach, DE
2024 GLS450
It isn't efficient, and it doesn't help your engine warm up much. These engines are so efficient that they don't make much heat at idle.
The best thing for your car and for the environment is to start it up, let the idle equalize (15-20 seconds) and drive off. Keep it under light load until it gets up to operating temperature.
The ultimate goal is to get the vehicle warmed up to the point where it enters closed loop mode and is running at its most efficient state.
The best thing for your car and for the environment is to start it up, let the idle equalize (15-20 seconds) and drive off. Keep it under light load until it gets up to operating temperature.
The ultimate goal is to get the vehicle warmed up to the point where it enters closed loop mode and is running at its most efficient state.
Super Member
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 879
Likes: 10
From: Tampa, Florida
2011 C300 4Matic Sport
It isn't efficient, and it doesn't help your engine warm up much. These engines are so efficient that they don't make much heat at idle.
The best thing for your car and for the environment is to start it up, let the idle equalize (15-20 seconds) and drive off. Keep it under light load until it gets up to operating temperature.
The ultimate goal is to get the vehicle warmed up to the point where it enters closed loop mode and is running at its most efficient state.
The best thing for your car and for the environment is to start it up, let the idle equalize (15-20 seconds) and drive off. Keep it under light load until it gets up to operating temperature.
The ultimate goal is to get the vehicle warmed up to the point where it enters closed loop mode and is running at its most efficient state.
Another question is what would be the optimum oil temperature, in which you can start driving you car a little more "aggressively," than gentle driving to reach the temperature? Keep in mind the quotes around aggressive.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,351
Likes: 90
From: Germantown, MD/Rehoboth Beach, DE
2024 GLS450
As far as idling down - I'd say only if you have been driving it hard. I have a turbo, so I do tend to idle down for 2 or so minutes if I have been sticking my foot in it a bunch. It's not really necessary any more with modern turbos, but I figure it can't hurt.
As far as oil temperature goes - that's a really good point. Engine coolant temp being up to full temp doesn't mean that oil temp is there yet. I don't have my scangauge any more - but I'd imagine 5 or 6 minutes after the coolant temp levels off the oil is good to go in these cars.
Not sure if the V6es are this way - but the 1.8 puts off so little waste heat if you aren't driving it hard that running the climate control severely impedes its ability to get the coolant temp to the point where it levels off if you are in stop and go traffic if it is cold out. In fact, during this latest cold snap my car wouldn't get over 80*C in a 25 mile highway drive with the cruise on and the interior climate control set to 68 for both sides - it was about 15*F out.
As far as oil temperature goes - that's a really good point. Engine coolant temp being up to full temp doesn't mean that oil temp is there yet. I don't have my scangauge any more - but I'd imagine 5 or 6 minutes after the coolant temp levels off the oil is good to go in these cars.
Not sure if the V6es are this way - but the 1.8 puts off so little waste heat if you aren't driving it hard that running the climate control severely impedes its ability to get the coolant temp to the point where it levels off if you are in stop and go traffic if it is cold out. In fact, during this latest cold snap my car wouldn't get over 80*C in a 25 mile highway drive with the cruise on and the interior climate control set to 68 for both sides - it was about 15*F out.
Last edited by MDMercedesGuy; Jan 9, 2014 at 10:33 PM.
Super Member
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 583
Likes: 24
2026 GLC300 4Matic (X254)
Keep in mind...in many places it is also illegal. lMany people have received tickets over the last few days around here. So many that it's on the news. It's definitely bad for the environment in terms of wasted fuel and the worst kind of emissions.
But in terms of the car itself....it doesn't DAMAGE anything until you drive it like you stole it thinking it's "warm" when its really not. Idling doesn't warm anything but the atmosphere.
But in terms of the car itself....it doesn't DAMAGE anything until you drive it like you stole it thinking it's "warm" when its really not. Idling doesn't warm anything but the atmosphere.
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 1,479
Likes: 76
From: Nyack, NY
C300 Sport 4Matic
What about once you reach you destination? Should you leave the car idling for about 3-5 minutes or so to let it "cool down," or will shutting it off immediately after putting it in park will do just fine?
Another question is what would be the optimum oil temperature, in which you can start driving you car a little more "aggressively," than gentle driving to reach the temperature? Keep in mind the quotes around aggressive.
Another question is what would be the optimum oil temperature, in which you can start driving you car a little more "aggressively," than gentle driving to reach the temperature? Keep in mind the quotes around aggressive.
Trending Topics
Member
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 192
Likes: 4
From: NYC | NJ | FL
X4M, G80 M3
I agree I've been checking my car's temp this month that's been the coldest 10-30F and notice the car doesn't warm up at all when its idle. But warms up right away as soon as I drive off slowly. No more idling for more, but this is very different compared to my dads 2002 Toyota Avalon and 2007 Toyota Camry those cars warm up idling and i think it hurts those japanese to drive off cold.
MB World Stories
The Best of Mercedes & AMG
7 Craziest Things AMG Gas Ever Built
Verdad Gallardo
New Electric Mercedes-AMG GT 4-Door Coupe Unveiled: 10 Things You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
6 Mercedes Models That Did NOT Age Well (But Are Somehow Still Cool)
Verdad Gallardo
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
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 267
Likes: 0
2010 C63 P30
I idle my cars for 5-10 minutes before I drive in winter time. My reasoning for this is that in the cold weather the oil is very very thick, like honey. I idle it to warm up the oil and distribute it through the engine properly. Idleing is the lowest RPM the engine will spin at, so therefore this is where the least damage should be caused by the thick oil. If I was to drive off after 30seconds I would be doing theoretically more damage because I am increasing the RPMs....
Just my thinking on that.
Here is a cool video showing what extreme temperatures will do to engine oil:
Just my thinking on that.
Here is a cool video showing what extreme temperatures will do to engine oil:
Last edited by AMG Boost; Jan 27, 2014 at 01:28 PM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 4,949
Likes: 39
From: Clifton, NJ
96 and 08 911 turbos
I idle my cars for 5-10 minutes before I drive in winter time. My reasoning for this is that in the cold weather the oil is very very thick, like honey. I idle it to warm up the oil and distribute it through the engine properly. Idleing is the lowest RPM the engine will spin at, so therefore this is where the least damage should be caused by the thick oil. If I was to drive off after 30seconds I would be doing theoretically more damage because I am increasing the RPMs....
Just my thinking on that.
Here is a cool video showing what extreme temperatures will do to engine oil:
Cold oil flow test - YouTube
Just my thinking on that.
Here is a cool video showing what extreme temperatures will do to engine oil:
Cold oil flow test - YouTube
2nd, placing the engine under load, even at fairly low rpms, ensures that it heats up quicker and the oil thins out. By idling, you just prolong the period of time that the engine runs with cold oil.
3, most critical engine parts, such as the cams, main/rod bearings have an oil film, even after sitting for quite some time. this, combined with the fairly quick flowing 0w oil, means you should be just fine to start it, idle for about 30 seconds, and drive away.
lastly, this wastes less gas and also warms up your transmission and differential oil.
Member
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 110
Likes: 0
2016 C300 4Matic Sport
Thanks for the oil flow videos at cold temperatures. Cool. It makes an important point. In cars that I've had that have oil temperature gauges, I've found that cars don't come up to full operating temperature until after about 15 highway miles. It takes longer than you'd think. MDMercedesGuy is spot on, coolant temperature is not a good judge of when you can drive more "aggressively".
I believe the best thing you can do for your car is drive it everyday. Be gentle until it's up to temperature (± 15 miles).
My 2¢!
I believe the best thing you can do for your car is drive it everyday. Be gentle until it's up to temperature (± 15 miles).
My 2¢!
