roman944

I remember that in one of the local newspapers, in for sale ad section -> automotive, one of the local garages had aweekly column, they still do it every now and then, reviewing cars and answering people's questions

and they said that unless you are in really extremely cold weather, like wayyy up north in canada, you don't really need to warm the car up; that it might actually not be that good for the engine, and that for the most part, people warm them up just to get into the warm car, that it's pretty much a waste of gas?

they said that if you want to warm it up, give it like a minute to get the fluids going, and you are all set, and that the best way to warm the car up is by driving it, and by driving it the car will warm up MUCH faster then just by letting it sit for 10-15mnts

I tried the driving it part a couple of times, and the car does warm up faster just by driving - then if I let it sit for 5-10 mnts

so how about you guys?

Hawk36

Unless it is in very low temps starting and sitting doesn't do much for you besides burning more gas. Start and run unitl the all the fluids are flowing then drive away. It is not a good idea to go racing around until your P-car is warmed up. Dirve moderate until it is up to temp then go for it.

Luis de Prat

According to the 944 owner's manual, you should not warm up the car at start up. Just drive without pushing the engine until the oil pressure drops to the normal operating level at idle.

Warming up the engine can also damage the catalytic converter.

BADpolizei

Most cars shouldn't warm up from sitting. They should be driven. Thats why BMW added the colored count down that gradually go's down until the engine is ready on there M car's.

ExitWound

My transmission won't shift until the car is "warmed up" for a few minutes. Also, the idle is iffy until the oxygen sensors turns itself on a few minutes after starting it. driving the car before this happens is really a rough ride. I don't let it sit for 20 minutes idling, but 2-3 minutes is something I have to do .

jstand22

It is ok to warm up the car just a little, but letting it sit there idling at operating temp is bad for the engine; 2-3 mins is ok in extreme cold, but the best way to warm up a car is to drive it (easy at first) even in your 944 manual, Porsche recommends driving it to warm it up, not idling.

adrian_jaye

yep, like he say !

dont do it, its "NOT" good for your engine

Jay Gratton

I give it about 30 seconds to get the fluids moving and then I am off and running. Of course I am VERY easy on the car until my temp is up to where I like it. I am constantly double clutching and short shifting it. Porsche makes it very clear that their cars do not like to ideal and unless it is a turbo don't do it even when it is hot.

DMB14

I just get in and drive, keeping the revs low until it's warm.

ausgeflippt951

So what about my 951? While mine doesn't run like crap on startup, I'll typically let it warm up to be at or just above the lowest mark on the water temp gauge. I def don't let the car idle for extended periods while at operating temp, but I've never heard of letting the car warm up a bit hurting anything other than the cat.

In 50 degree weather, I'd guess it typically takes 3 min or so to get to the aforementioned point on the gauge.

bearone

nope. i start it, get the seatbelt on, radio/music set and i'm on my way, staying under 3k 'til water temp is up.

87951

Mongo

I give mine about 3 minutes in the morning to warm up and vary the RPM anywhere from idle to 1500 RPM.

Sometimes I start it up and leave it idling which is probably not too good of an idea, but hey everyone forgets to make their lunch sometimes before going to work.

Yummybud924

lol same sometimes I have it idling for like 10 minutes. but then after I drive it hard.

thing is the car runs like crap and the idle dips too low when it's not fully warmed up past the white area.

Mongo

How many miles are on it?

BeerBurner

The only warm-up idling I do is the amount of time it takes to put on my seatbelt, headlights (if necessary) and so on. Maybe 30 seconds. But I'll take it easy on the car until it warms up.

BB.