Proper Warmups
#1
Proper Warmups
Anybody driving their 63's in the winter? Was wondering if there is a proper way to warm up the motor. And also how long should be idled until it is actually bad for the motor. I reside in canada with winter tempuratures hovering around -10 degrees.
#2
MBWorld Fanatic!
Drive the car gently. I start the car, let the idle settle back to its normal speed and then drive. Just drive part throttle in C mode until the oil temp starts flashing. It's bad to idle a cold motor in your driveway. It's much better to drive at light load to warm it up.
#4
Senior Member
The best way to warm up the car in winter is to drive it. Avoid high RPMs/full throttle until the oil temp is up to operating temperature. While idling warms up the oil, actually driving will warm the brakes, engine, transmission, tires, etc.
#6
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'09 C63
Emphasis on NOT letting your car idle in park! Contrary to common belief, this is not a good way to warm up an engine. At cold start up, just wait until the RPM needle settles down to around 900 (you can actually hear the engine quiet down slightly when this happens), and then just drive at lower RPMs until the oil temperature stops blinking.
#7
Emphasis on NOT letting your car idle in park! Contrary to common belief, this is not a good way to warm up an engine. At cold start up, just wait until the RPM needle settles down to around 900 (you can actually hear the engine quiet down slightly when this happens), and then just drive at lower RPMs until the oil temperature stops blinking.
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.
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#12
PreFL oil temps flash when cold? My FL oil temp stays blue until 176F, then turn white.
Jalopnik just had an article on car warm ups: http://jalopnik.com/yes-warm-your-da...old-1678251730
Jalopnik just had an article on car warm ups: http://jalopnik.com/yes-warm-your-da...old-1678251730
#13
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2011 C63 AMG P31
I drive mine in the bitter cold of Calgary... I park in a heated garage though!
After work, since it's outside, I turn it on, finish cleaning up, then hop in. Oil is usually at about 50C by then. By the time I'm home oil is at 110C or so.
After work, since it's outside, I turn it on, finish cleaning up, then hop in. Oil is usually at about 50C by then. By the time I'm home oil is at 110C or so.
#15
MBWorld Fanatic!
Interesting thread.
So starting up the car, rolling out of the garage to warm it up for 10-15 minutes then drive it back in is bad for the car? (for those who store their cars in winter months like me)
I was recommended by AMG instructors at the AMG performance tour to do so to let the fluids circulate, prevent flat spot on tires & charge the battery vs letting the car sits for 5 months in winter w/ battery tender.
Actually, I've been doing this for 4 winters now & not a problem. Keep in mind I flush my oil in the spring time though.
So starting up the car, rolling out of the garage to warm it up for 10-15 minutes then drive it back in is bad for the car? (for those who store their cars in winter months like me)
I was recommended by AMG instructors at the AMG performance tour to do so to let the fluids circulate, prevent flat spot on tires & charge the battery vs letting the car sits for 5 months in winter w/ battery tender.
Actually, I've been doing this for 4 winters now & not a problem. Keep in mind I flush my oil in the spring time though.
#16
Roswell, if you are going to start your car in the winter, you want to let it get up to tempature all the way so any moisture will evaporate. Letting it run for a few mins will create moisture in the exhaust, engine etc. you're better off leaving it alone.
If you drive your car in the bitter cold, the best thing you can do is plug the block heater in over night. This warms the coolant and block. Start it up and let it idle for a coupe mins and drive away.
If you drive your car in the bitter cold, the best thing you can do is plug the block heater in over night. This warms the coolant and block. Start it up and let it idle for a coupe mins and drive away.
#17
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#18
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Merc63, unfortunately I can't drive the car around to warm it up faster as I don't have collision coverage only fire/theft insurance over the winter.
So is it safer to warm up the car til the oil light stop flashing? Thx for the good infos guys.
So is it safer to warm up the car til the oil light stop flashing? Thx for the good infos guys.
#19
Yes let it idle up. It will take some time but it will.
Best bet is to just leave it sit all winter and change oil in the spring before you fire it up.
Jason, ya there is one, you probably need the cord. It will plug on the block where the element is.
Best bet is to just leave it sit all winter and change oil in the spring before you fire it up.
Jason, ya there is one, you probably need the cord. It will plug on the block where the element is.
#20
MBWorld Fanatic!
Assuming it's in the manual but where on the block is the connector? Can you reach it from the engine bay?
#22
Roswell, if you are going to start your car in the winter, you want to let it get up to tempature all the way so any moisture will evaporate. Letting it run for a few mins will create moisture in the exhaust, engine etc. you're better off leaving it alone.
If you drive your car in the bitter cold, the best thing you can do is plug the block heater in over night. This warms the coolant and block. Start it up and let it idle for a coupe mins and drive away.
If you drive your car in the bitter cold, the best thing you can do is plug the block heater in over night. This warms the coolant and block. Start it up and let it idle for a coupe mins and drive away.
#23
If you can't drive it, don't start it. The car doesn't care that it's cold out when it's not running.
#24
False. 60-90 mins is not enough in this weather we have had lately. Heat doesn't just magically stop. The block and fluids will warm up. 3-4 hours are minimum in -20c + weather.