Proper Warmups
01-12-2015, 12:29 AM
#26
They actually say "two hours is usually enough".
Which is false. I run equipment in the winter and diesel trucks. When it's -20c or more, 2hours isn't enough. I've felt the block after two hours and it's usually not warmed up much past the element. I do a min of 3-4 hours before I can feel some warmth on the block and that's a small 3 litre Diesel engine.
If I leave the block heater on over night when it's -20c or colder. I can start a diesel truck, let it idle for half a min and drive away and it will start pumping heat quick. Without it or for an hour she is cold for a while.
When it's bitterly cold out, the worst thing you can do is start a cold engine. The block heater helps huge.
Which is false. I run equipment in the winter and diesel trucks. When it's -20c or more, 2hours isn't enough. I've felt the block after two hours and it's usually not warmed up much past the element. I do a min of 3-4 hours before I can feel some warmth on the block and that's a small 3 litre Diesel engine.
If I leave the block heater on over night when it's -20c or colder. I can start a diesel truck, let it idle for half a min and drive away and it will start pumping heat quick. Without it or for an hour she is cold for a while.
When it's bitterly cold out, the worst thing you can do is start a cold engine. The block heater helps huge.
Last edited by Merc63; 01-12-2015 at 12:36 AM.
01-12-2015, 01:57 AM
#27
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That's a tough situation with no car insurance during that period. Because if you are storing a car for the winter, the best way to avoid flat spots, etc. is to simply start the car up and drive it around the block for a few minutes.
01-12-2015, 07:51 AM
#28
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Originally Posted by NRC
A block heater runs on electricity. To save money, invest in an automatic timer that switches the block heater on two hours before you plan to drive the vehicle (instead of leaving it plugged in all night). Usually this is all the time needed to warm the coolant and the engine.
01-12-2015, 06:20 PM
#30
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01-12-2015, 07:09 PM
#32
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thanks.
01-13-2015, 12:08 AM
#33
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2014 C63 AMG 507 sedan
If you're storing the car, just don't start it unless your going to drive it. I wouldn't be too worried about flat spots in the tires either, since tire technology has advanced to the point that a few months sitting will not cause them to lose shape. If you want to be sure, you can overinflate them.
01-13-2015, 03:28 AM
#34
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2010 C63 P30
Yep easy to say when you're living in California. 
Tuesday morning, -30c (that's -22f for those still living in the dark ages
) car was completely frozen due to a mix of fine hail and freezing rain we had the day before. I let the C63 idle for a while.
Would I let the car idle for long period of times, all the times? No. But -30c on a completely frozen car, well, even if I wanted to drive away shortly after start up, the car was still covered in ice.
The CAA says to let idle from 1-2min in cold weather before driving off. No hard acceleration before the car is properly warmed up.
Tuesday morning, -30c (that's -22f for those still living in the dark ages
) car was completely frozen due to a mix of fine hail and freezing rain we had the day before. I let the C63 idle for a while. Would I let the car idle for long period of times, all the times? No. But -30c on a completely frozen car, well, even if I wanted to drive away shortly after start up, the car was still covered in ice.
The CAA says to let idle from 1-2min in cold weather before driving off. No hard acceleration before the car is properly warmed up.
How does the C63 cope with the -30c starts and driving? Just curious. Ive never had my C63 out in that much cold.
I remember my old G35 I had it idleing for like 20 min straight in Fort Mac and drove off to the highway and it was still so dam cold I could barely shift it lol.
01-13-2015, 08:21 AM
#35
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How does the C63 cope with the -30c starts and driving? Just curious. Ive never had my C63 out in that much cold.
I remember my old G35 I had it idleing for like 20 min straight in Fort Mac and drove off to the highway and it was still so dam cold I could barely shift it lol.
I remember my old G35 I had it idleing for like 20 min straight in Fort Mac and drove off to the highway and it was still so dam cold I could barely shift it lol.
Although my tstat is starting to give me problems I want to say she's fine in the cold weather.
01-13-2015, 08:59 PM
#36
They actually say "two hours is usually enough".
Which is false. I run equipment in the winter and diesel trucks. When it's -20c or more, 2hours isn't enough. I've felt the block after two hours and it's usually not warmed up much past the element. I do a min of 3-4 hours before I can feel some warmth on the block and that's a small 3 litre Diesel engine.
If I leave the block heater on over night when it's -20c or colder. I can start a diesel truck, let it idle for half a min and drive away and it will start pumping heat quick. Without it or for an hour she is cold for a while.
When it's bitterly cold out, the worst thing you can do is start a cold engine. The block heater helps huge.
Which is false. I run equipment in the winter and diesel trucks. When it's -20c or more, 2hours isn't enough. I've felt the block after two hours and it's usually not warmed up much past the element. I do a min of 3-4 hours before I can feel some warmth on the block and that's a small 3 litre Diesel engine.
If I leave the block heater on over night when it's -20c or colder. I can start a diesel truck, let it idle for half a min and drive away and it will start pumping heat quick. Without it or for an hour she is cold for a while.
When it's bitterly cold out, the worst thing you can do is start a cold engine. The block heater helps huge.
Remember, block heaters are recommend only when it's colder than about -15 to -20 C. You're looking to warm the internals via the coolant. Just because the exterior feels cold to the touch doesn't mean the heater hasn't done its job. The internals just need to be out of the deep freeze, the exterior doesn't need to be warm. An engine with internals at 5C would feel very cold to the touch, but would be just fine to start.
Last edited by looney100; 01-13-2015 at 09:02 PM.
