aggst1

My life long dream is to grow up and be as knowledgeable as you are

What I respect the most in you is that you are not flaming the forum...!!!!

MBRedux

Actually long periods of idling is not very good for a car. That said, as a rule I always let my cars warm up, (if left outdoors below 30*F) for at least 2-5 min. (a few min. more if the temps are in the single digits). If garaged, 1-3 min. tops depending on the temp inside the garage.

There are good arguments on both sides of this, but I always hate placing a load on a very cold engine as soon as it starts up.

My 2-cents

aggst1

I have been told by many mechanics that it is bad for the motor to be "forced" to warm up by either revving the engine at high rpms or put it in gear and drive away. I have heard of a VW GTI in a very cold climate (winter time in Vermont) where the driver (a relative) not only did not ever warm up the motor but made it a point to press it very hard going up a steep hill thinking that it will warm up faster. That was on a daily basis. Well it did warm up faster due to added stress and friction but over time it did a number on the motor! He had to get an engine overhaul because among other things many metal components such as lower springs had been damaged.

Letting the car idle for 3-5 minutes or so is what I also do. I can't help thinking that if I can't get out my door when it is 20 degrees F outside and start running without at least a few minutes warm up then neither can the car.

NYCGLK

well GTI has whole other complication of having turbo, I read that not only you should warm it up but you have to cool it off, aka don't drive hard and then shut it off right away, as something happens to the oil in the turbo...?

I would never put any load on the cold engine or rev it higher than 3k rpm, that's common sense, which is not that common nowdays I guess.

Side story, I had opportunity to learn to drive in a russian car, Lada. The joke "In russia car drives you" is half true. So this car had 1.3 litter engine with less than 80hp, and no power steering. But the best part is that even in the summer you have to warm it up for 5 minutes before it moves up even the slightest hill. You can rev the engine but as soon as you let clutch go it starts stalling.

P.S. OP, sorry for trolling your thread, we are just keeping it alive for when you have some updates on your GLK hahah

aggst1

Yes, unfortunately I know LADAs. I am from Europe and there have been around the last 30 years but more so the past 15 years. Absolutely terrible cars... to say the least. I drove a NIVA (their SUV) once and it felt like driving a car from the 40s... Some of their older passenger cars where a little better (in the 80s) because they were actually FIATs made in Russia using FIAT motors but without the distinctive Italian handling (I guess the Russians thought they would improve on that?). I didn't know they had to get warmed up even in the summer... Automobile technology was never the strong subject of the Russians!

kyoshiro

i believe there exists turbo timers on turbo equipped cars where the turbo or the radiator fans roll for a while when you turn off the car to cool it off

MBRedux

Turbos are our specialty in the shop and my son also drives a 2010 VW GTI with the new 2.0TSi 206hp turbocharged engine besides the Audi. (He will be trading up to the 2012 260hp Golf-R when it comes late next year)

Yes turbos must have a "cool-down" period after engine shut down or they will be damaged in a short time. VW's have a special system that allows the coolant to run from an auxiliary pump to the turbo impeller even after the engine is switched off. Some cars have even more elaborate systems that continue the oil and coolant flows to the turbo after shut down. This is extremely beneficial and almost completely eliminates seal damage to the turbo as well as ash and burnt oil deposits on the impeller shaft.

MKenM

As an FYI from the GLK manual

! Allow the engine to warm up under low load use. Do not place full load on the engine until the operating temperature has been reached.
Avoid spinning of a drive wheel for an extended period when driving off on slippery road surfaces. This may cause serious damage to the engine and the drivetrain which is not covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.

i During the brief warm-up, transmission up-shifting is delayed. This allows the catalytic converter to heat up more quickly to operating temperature.

NYCGLK

Crossing my fingers that they will have reasonable price for this one. This is going to be a great car.

MBRedux

^ Off Topic but... Yes it will be for sure, we know because we already test drove the car. VW's HQ's is in Herndon Va. A friend of ours who works there came by the office. Being real fans of VW racing and cars, we were instantly sold on the car.

fishsriz

Hey everyone.. I've been in China for the past few months and couldnt log on to here..
everything was fixed and covered by the filter maker.

thanks for the support

rmfnla

Like I said:

Keep in mind that whether the fault lies with the lube shop or the filter manufacturer the bill will be paid by one or more insurance companies.

I am sure the OP will be properly compensated.


Glad to hear it worked out OK.