SL/R231: Sit and warm up........... Or drive off???
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Joined: Sep 2016
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From: NorthWest UK
SL400
Sit and warm up........... Or drive off???
My wife insists on sitting on the drive in her 2017 SL400 and warming it up for 5 minutes before driving off - at least in cold weather(its trying to snow here in Northern England today)
Not particularly for de-misting, but her reason is getting the oil round/warm the engine etc etc
I have a V8 M3, and i'm sure I remember the BMW advice is to start up and drive off as having it sitting idling is more detrimental??
What are your thoughts?
Not particularly for de-misting, but her reason is getting the oil round/warm the engine etc etc
I have a V8 M3, and i'm sure I remember the BMW advice is to start up and drive off as having it sitting idling is more detrimental??
What are your thoughts?
Last edited by ibanezking; Dec 9, 2017 at 03:23 AM.
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From: God's County (Yorkshire)
Shanks’s Pony
Start and drive off carefully keeping the revs & speed sensible. This gives the rest of the car (gearbox, differential, brakes, wheel bearings, tyres, etc) time to warm up as well .
I've never understood people that sit with the engine running for 10 minutes (specially the diesels that sound like tractors - annoying the neighbours as well) to warm it up and then scream off down the road ......(not saying this applies to your missus).
Biggest problem for me is that I have a lovely straight stretch near home where I can floor it but the car (in this weather) is usually not warm enough by teh time I reach it and have to wait until I'm homeward bound.
I've never understood people that sit with the engine running for 10 minutes (specially the diesels that sound like tractors - annoying the neighbours as well) to warm it up and then scream off down the road ......(not saying this applies to your missus).
Biggest problem for me is that I have a lovely straight stretch near home where I can floor it but the car (in this weather) is usually not warm enough by teh time I reach it and have to wait until I'm homeward bound.
Last edited by rorywquin; Dec 8, 2017 at 07:08 AM.
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From: Brookshire, Texas & Cat Spring, Texas
2019 SL550/2023 EQS 580 SUV
If it gets to freezing here I warm up my tractors for a few minutes, my largest tractor has 28 gallons of hydraulic fluid in the sump,but for cars do not wait after start. Modern oil pumps supply the internal parts within seconds of start up and the correct oil for your climate stays on engine parts for a long time even with the car sitting. Having said that, on my 1919 Ford Model T Touring with the splash oiling system and no oil pump, I let it warm up a few minutes before getting it moving! 
If one were to wait for the oil and transmission fluid to reach normal operating temperature you might be sitting for a long time. My PU truck has a transmission temperature gauge and at temperature below 50F I have to drive 12-15 miles before the fluid is in the normal range.
If one were to wait for the oil and transmission fluid to reach normal operating temperature you might be sitting for a long time. My PU truck has a transmission temperature gauge and at temperature below 50F I have to drive 12-15 miles before the fluid is in the normal range.
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Mercedes SL 450
I use the seat warmer - and Air Scarf - but the only problem is that the steering wheel is wood -(feels like plastic however) - and is cold to the touch
so I use my Lincoln SUV which has everything including a heated steering wheel - when its really cold out ! I dont wait for the engine to warm up - I just drive slowly - Also if we get snow tomorrow , I wont drive my SL - as with run flats - its horrible on Snow - and the dealer told me - not to drive it on snow , unless I put on winter tires - I rather park it !
Phil
so I use my Lincoln SUV which has everything including a heated steering wheel - when its really cold out ! I dont wait for the engine to warm up - I just drive slowly - Also if we get snow tomorrow , I wont drive my SL - as with run flats - its horrible on Snow - and the dealer told me - not to drive it on snow , unless I put on winter tires - I rather park it !
Phil
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From: Brookshire, Texas & Cat Spring, Texas
2019 SL550/2023 EQS 580 SUV
This will be all gone by this afternoon!
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SL400
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My wife insists on sitting on the drive in her 2017 SL400 and warming it up for 5 minutes before driving off - at least in cold weather(its trying to snow here in Northern England today)
Not particulalry for de-misting, but her reason is getting the oil round the engine etc etc
I have a V8 M3, and i'm sure I remember the BMW advice is to start up and drive off as having it sitting idling is more detrimental??
What are your thoughts?
Not particulalry for de-misting, but her reason is getting the oil round the engine etc etc
I have a V8 M3, and i'm sure I remember the BMW advice is to start up and drive off as having it sitting idling is more detrimental??
What are your thoughts?
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Joined: May 2002
Posts: 10,534
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From: Land of 10,000 lakes
AMG GTC Roadster, E63s Ed.1, M8 Comp. Coupe
I use the seat warmer - and Air Scarf - but the only problem is that the steering wheel is wood -(feels like plastic however) - and is cold to the touch
so I use my Lincoln SUV which has everything including a heated steering wheel - when its really cold out ! I dont wait for the engine to warm up - I just drive slowly - Also if we get snow tomorrow , I wont drive my SL - as with run flats - its horrible on Snow - and the dealer told me - not to drive it on snow , unless I put on winter tires - I rather park it !
Phil
so I use my Lincoln SUV which has everything including a heated steering wheel - when its really cold out ! I dont wait for the engine to warm up - I just drive slowly - Also if we get snow tomorrow , I wont drive my SL - as with run flats - its horrible on Snow - and the dealer told me - not to drive it on snow , unless I put on winter tires - I rather park it !
Phil
We use Pirelli Sottozero snow tires
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Shanks’s Pony
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2019 E450 wagon: 2019 BMW 430i: 2013 Chevy Traverse: (departed)2013 SL550 & 2019 E450 cab
Here is a related article which Road & Track published, with a short video that addresses the why of starting and driving away at a measured pace: http://www.roadandtrack.com/car-cult...ocialflowFBRAT
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Here is a related article which Road & Track published, with a short video that addresses the why of starting and driving away at a measured pace: http://www.roadandtrack.com/car-cult...ocialflowFBRAT
