khans

I drive a 1999 CLK 430 Coupe.

I'm wondering how important it is to let the car warm up (where the temp needle is halfway between hot and cold) before stepping on it.

I'm in Seattle and it doesn't get particularly cold here but I've noticed that in the morning the car drives a little jerky before it gets warm.

More importantly I'm interested in knowing what's good for the car.

thanks.

clkal

it's pretty much the same as any other car. It is always better to warm up your car in the morning before you drive off. Common sense.

Brian_I.

I just wait till the RPMs go down under 1000 and then I floor it.

fstrd1

pigman

Click and Clack talked about this once and there is no evidence that warming up the car before you drive it does a bit of good because the cylinder walls heat up the second you start your car. By far the best thing to do for your engine is changing the oil often. MB says 10,000 miles between changes is okay, but I'd disbelieve that faster than I'd believe in warming up my car. Just my $.02.

kimber45

Warm cars are good!

(yes im whoring!)

GDawgC220

I think waiting for the RPM needle to drop below 1000RPM's is a good idea (let the fast idle drop)...it only takes about 20-30seconds. Not that long to wait. To each his own.

RJC

If "step on it" means punching it, then wait for the temperature to move closer to the normal level. Waiting for the rpms to drop below 1000 is fine for just starting off with non agressive throttle applications.

nickv

I actually do both... let the fast idle upon startup fall below 1K RPM before leaving PARK and let my car get to normal operating temp, usually within 2 minutes before letting the RPMs get higher than 2500. Just my habits...don't know how much it actually helps.

In the E46 M3, the tach is electronic and the redline increases as the car gets warmer, that is the premise I'm following!

theine

Good habit, same here!

HoosierCLK430

Let me add to this one... As a person who has driven all over Europe and mostly the famous Autobahns of Germany, YES, ThE CAR SHOULD BE WARMED UP. The point was driven home when I took my MB and my BMW into 2 separate mechanics for routine maintenance. Both mechanics were very sure about the need, "...to get the engine to normal operationg temp (roughly where the temp needle is center on the gauge, and at that point--PUNCH IT! It's GERMAN!"

I saw the article on Click and Clak but I figure these guys have NOT seen cars driving regularly at 90-120 mph. Anyway, Germans are VERY VERY proud of their Deutch Engines.