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warming up/short journeys

g1

Guest
Hi All,

I know this has been discussed 'many' times before but i need a specific answer, i drive to work which is only 2 miles away so takes me less than 10 mins even in traffic. From reading posts on here short journeys are not good for the car so i always take it easy for the whole journey, less than 2.5k revs. My question is, is it better to warm up the car before i set off for about 5 mins ?

Cheers in advance
 

traumapat

Leon Cupra IHI
Jul 24, 2005
5,925
4
sunny sussex
ive ended up in a similar situation so every couple of days take a detour and get the temps up and use the rev range, blow the cobwebs out.

might be an idea to change oil more regularly too.
 

ThackersLCR

Active Member
Jul 5, 2008
141
0
Blackpool
Get a push bike! Itl be driking away at your petrol, the two wheeled option has saved me quite alot and a FMIC on the way now!
 

andycupra

status subject to change
start her up, and drive off after only a few seconds.
Easy driving.

As said above the accassional longer drive would be good, as would changing the oil more regularly.

10 mins to do 2 miles is a long time.... i have to say if it was me id be cylcing in.
 

g1

Guest
cheers guys, cycling to work = getting sweaty etc by the time you get there!
 

olliep

Wants a mk2 GTI
Oct 3, 2005
709
1
Winchester
No, drive it from cold, just don't thrash it as you are doing now :)



ditto ditto ditto, the issue with idling a cold car is A: the oil takes alot longer to warm up so its quite abrasive on the engine. B: it will ruin your catalytic converter.

start engine... wait for it to settle and get going. your doing right at the moment and i'd fully expect someone to winge at the above advice however they'd be contradicting the users manual so who you gunna believe!!?? :D just make sure you take it for a good burnskii avery so often. keeps your oil tip top and puts a biiiig smile on your face! yay

oh yeah and as with the above point from thackers. the manual states roughly how much more fuel you get through with a cold engine and it is a staggering increase compared to a warm engine!!
 
Last edited:
Dec 6, 2008
612
0
Shropshire
is it the same for diesel as petrol?? egdrive it from cold??

Yes, the reason being that the vehicle gets up to temp quicker under load, although diesels also generally take longer to warm up than petrols because they are more thermally efficent and run cooler.

You won't break your car leaving it idling from cold though like if you want to get it warm to defrost it or just so your not cold when you get in it.
 

seantdi

no smoke no poke!!
Jan 18, 2009
1,218
1
ireland
i usually leave it ticking over for a few mins every morning before i leave for work. heard it not good to stard driving a diesel the second you fire it up.... something to do with oil presure building up...
 
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