Warming up the car?

Moo · 03-06-2012, 04:30 PM

When you first start the car (not limited to 1M), the engine revs at higher RPM before settling down to a lower idle RPM.

This takes maybe around 30 seconds, and I usually wait for the lower engine idle speed before driving off.

Good idea? Not necessary? Only do it in colder climate?

Dan Parker · 03-06-2012, 04:45 PM

I read wide open throttle at startup is best. Something about keeping the carbs clean?

ozinaldo · 03-06-2012, 04:45 PM

There is no technical reason to wait as far as I know. But I do wait most of the times to enjoy the cold start sound in all its glory and in full concentration. When the sound lowers down I tell myself the same thing and start driving as sane as possible

RPM90 · 03-06-2012, 07:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Moo

When you first start the car (not limited to 1M), the engine revs at higher RPM before settling down to a lower idle RPM.

This takes maybe around 30 seconds, and I usually wait for the lower engine idle speed before driving off.

Good idea? Not necessary? Only do it in colder climate?

No need to wait at all.
The engine warms up quicker if you drive right after starting.
But, wait for the engine and oil to come to temp before going for large throttle openings or for high rpm shifts.

Oh, and supposedly less emissions if you drive off soon after start up as the engine can get to operating temp quicker, and that gets the cat-con up to temp faster as well, that's what helps with emissions. Faster
cat-con light up, quicker/sooner emissions control.

Vrumpkin · 03-06-2012, 08:10 PM

I always wait for the revs to dip, first and second dip until the engine is idling quiet, takes 30seconds or sometimes more if I havent driven it for a few days.

Also hate cold start and go because backing out of the garage the car is punchier, feathering the clutch isnt as smooth as when the engine is warm.

Pete_vB · 03-06-2012, 08:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Moo

When you first start the car (not limited to 1M), the engine revs at higher RPM before settling down to a lower idle RPM.

This takes maybe around 30 seconds, and I usually wait for the lower engine idle speed before driving off.

Good idea? Not necessary? Only do it in colder climate?

As others have said, unless it's really, really cold I'd drive off right away. Stay away from the last couple thousand revs until the the oil temp needle starts to move. I worry less about boost; I think oil flow through the turbo would be the only real concern there, and again I think the oil would need to be really cold for that to be a serious issue.

sq86 · 03-06-2012, 08:37 PM

I always wait the 30 seconds or so at least in cold weather. If its warm out I wait at least 15 seconds or so till I go.

speedyjoe · 03-06-2012, 08:51 PM

I usually wait for the idle drop back to normal ( ~2 mins in Winter)

bdaddylo · 03-06-2012, 11:54 PM

I used to wait for the rpms to drop, but after reading the owner's manual it say to start driving immediately at moderate engine speeds as this is the quickest way to get the engine to its operating temp.

EINSER M · 03-06-2012, 11:55 PM

man u learn so much from reading these forums

mPlasticDesign · 03-07-2012, 12:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EINSER M

man u learn so much from reading these forums

I hope you learned that there is NO reason to warm up or idle the car before you start driving, no matter how cold it is. In fact, all the facts point to the opposite. Like some have mentioned, the car will warm up faster if you just drive and emit less emissions as well. Just keep the RPM's down until oil temps get to optimal operating temp.

EINSER M · 03-07-2012, 12:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr.Metak2you

I hope you learned that there is NO reason to warm up or idle the car before you start driving, no matter how cold it is. In fact, all the facts point to the opposite. Like some have mentioned, the car will warm up faster if you just drive and emit less emissions as well. Just keep the RPM's down until oil temps get to optimal operating temp.

yes sir
i strart up and roll out of the garage now

is the optimal oil temp right below 250?

DooBs · 03-07-2012, 01:04 AM

Wow interesting. I've always let it drop first, unless I'm in a rush, but even then I sit for a few seconds.

clived · 03-07-2012, 01:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EINSER M

man u learn so much from reading these forums

...if your car was delivered without a manual ;-)

kazin · 03-07-2012, 01:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr.Metak2you

Like some have mentioned, the car will warm up faster if you just drive and emit less emissions as well.

You mean the car will warm up faster when you use the engine more??

Mind blown.

On the opposite end of things: Whats the consensus on letting the car idle a bit before shutting it down after extended/harsh driving?

ayao · 03-07-2012, 01:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kazin

You mean the car will warm up faster when you use the engine more??

Mind blown.

On the opposite end of things: Whats the consensus on letting the car idle a bit before shutting it down after extended/harsh driving?

FWIW Mike Miller of Roundel fame suggests traditional turbo cool down procedure i.e. low RPM gentle driving for a few miles before reaching your destination.

EINSER M · 03-07-2012, 01:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by clived

...if your car was delivered without a manual ;-)

ha ha its there but i can read thousands of pages of forum threads i couldnt see myself reading the owner's manual

BLACKM · 03-07-2012, 03:36 AM

Read it in manual that, you shouldnt wait for engine warm up before driving it (forgot which page) just be gentle before floor it down like there's no tommorow....

BrokenVert · 03-07-2012, 03:41 AM

I always waited until the car dropped to idle. Its like a computer in my mind. Technically you can start working immediately after windows boots up. But theres another 30 seconds to a minute of extra things booting up in the background and things tend to go better if you let that all boot before you start working.

But hey, the N54 is hit or miss in terms of reliability. My fuel system self destructed at 71K miles.

V TACH · 03-07-2012, 05:38 AM

Is there any potential harm in depressing the M sport button while the engine is cold?

lcrain · 03-07-2012, 07:12 AM

I have always kept it below ~4k rpms until the oil temp needle is in the middle (don't know what temp that actually represents, sorry) and have done this in my previous turbo charged car. Is this completely necessary? Most of my driving during an average day doesn't see the temp reach the middle...which makes the driving rather boring. It takes much longer than my previous car.

Should I worry about it so strictly or what? I would love to start enjoying my drive to work a little more...

Thanks

Superfly · 03-07-2012, 07:43 AM

I've been told and red that 80% of the wear of an engine occurs at the start up, so on the first start i prefer to wait 30s before driving off.

03-06-2012, 04:30 PM	#1
Moo Gold Member 161 Rep 512 Posts Drives: PSYWGN Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Studio 69 iTrader: (0)	Warming up the car? When you first start the car (not limited to 1M), the engine revs at higher RPM before settling down to a lower idle RPM. This takes maybe around 30 seconds, and I usually wait for the lower engine idle speed before driving off. Good idea? Not necessary? Only do it in colder climate?
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03-06-2012, 04:45 PM	#2
Dan Parker Major 79 Rep 1,421 Posts Drives: 2012 Golf R Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Georgia iTrader: (0)	I read wide open throttle at startup is best. Something about keeping the carbs clean? __________________ Dan Parker
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03-06-2012, 04:45 PM	#3
ozinaldo Brigadier General 116 Rep 3,070 Posts Drives: 1M Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Lisbon, Portugal iTrader: (0)	There is no technical reason to wait as far as I know. But I do wait most of the times to enjoy the cold start sound in all its glory and in full concentration. When the sound lowers down I tell myself the same thing and start driving as sane as possible
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03-06-2012, 08:10 PM	#5
Vrumpkin Seymour J. Vrumpkin 15 Rep 241 Posts Drives: BMW 1M Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: South Florida iTrader: (0)	I always wait for the revs to dip, first and second dip until the engine is idling quiet, takes 30seconds or sometimes more if I havent driven it for a few days. Also hate cold start and go because backing out of the garage the car is punchier, feathering the clutch isnt as smooth as when the engine is warm.
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03-06-2012, 08:37 PM	#7
sq86 Captain 363 Rep 781 Posts Drives: 2013 328i E92 LMB Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Brooklyn iTrader: (0) Garage List 2013 BMW 328i (E92) [0.00]	I always wait the 30 seconds or so at least in cold weather. If its warm out I wait at least 15 seconds or so till I go. __________________ BMW CCA Member# 481791 Current: 2013 E92 328i LMB/Saddle Brown (1 of 21 for E92 LCI in that combo), 2018 F31 330xi AW/Saddle Brown Sold: 2011 1M BS/Black, 2008 E90 328xi AW/Beige, 2001 E46 330xi SG/Black
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03-06-2012, 08:51 PM	#8
speedyjoe Private First Class 11 Rep 134 Posts Drives: E46M3/1M Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Thronhill iTrader: (0)	I usually wait for the idle drop back to normal ( ~2 mins in Winter)
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03-06-2012, 11:54 PM	#9
bdaddylo Major 168 Rep 1,479 Posts Drives: 2017 F80 M3 Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Houston, TX iTrader: (3) Garage List 2011 BMW E90 M3 [10.00] 2005 Acura MDX [0.00] 2011 BMW 1 Series M ... [10.00]	I used to wait for the rpms to drop, but after reading the owner's manual it say to start driving immediately at moderate engine speeds as this is the quickest way to get the engine to its operating temp. __________________ _______________________ 1991 E30 M3/Brilliantrot 2017 F80 M3/AW
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03-06-2012, 11:55 PM	#10
EINSER M Major General 377 Rep 5,730 Posts Drives: BMW i3 rex Join Date: May 2006 Location: SoCal iTrader: (44) Garage List 2018 I01 i3s \| CURRENT [0.00] 2018 G01 X3 \| CURRENT [0.00] 2017 I01 i3 \| SOLD [0.00] 2017 F48 X1 \| SOLD ... [0.00] 2016 I01 i3 \| SOLD [0.00] 2017 F22 M240 \| SOLD [8.00] 2016 F25 X3 diesel ... [0.00] 2006 E60 550 \| SOLD [6.00] 2011 E90 335 \| SOLD [8.66] 2012 E82 135 \| SOLD [5.50] 2011 E82 1M \| SOLD [7.94] 2007 E85 Z4M\| SOLD [4.50] 2003 E53 X5 4.6is S ... [9.00] 2008 E92 328 \| SOLD [0.00] 2008 E82 135 \| SOLD [0.00] 2008 E90 335 \| SOLD [0.00] 2003 E46 M3 \| SOLD [7.50] 2006 E90 330 \| SOLD [10.00] 2003 E46 330ZHP \| SOLD [0.00]	man u learn so much from reading these forums
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03-07-2012, 01:04 AM	#13
DooBs Captain 50 Rep 779 Posts Drives: 1 Series M Coupe 697/740 Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Los Angeles / San Diego, California iTrader: (1)	Wow interesting. I've always let it drop first, unless I'm in a rush, but even then I sit for a few seconds. __________________ 2011 BMW BSM E82 ///1M L1MTD
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03-07-2012, 03:36 AM	#18
BLACKM Enlisted Member 5 Rep 35 Posts Drives: BMW 1M Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: IDN iTrader: (0)	Read it in manual that, you shouldnt wait for engine warm up before driving it (forgot which page) just be gentle before floor it down like there's no tommorow....
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03-07-2012, 03:41 AM	#19
BrokenVert Resident Kerbalnaut 477 Rep 10,703 Posts Drives: Topless Brute/Hybrid Boogaloo Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Fahrvergnügen/NY iTrader: (0)	I always waited until the car dropped to idle. Its like a computer in my mind. Technically you can start working immediately after windows boots up. But theres another 30 seconds to a minute of extra things booting up in the background and things tend to go better if you let that all boot before you start working. But hey, the N54 is hit or miss in terms of reliability. My fuel system self destructed at 71K miles. __________________
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03-07-2012, 05:38 AM	#20
V TACH Private 6 Rep 53 Posts Drives: 1M, Exige S260 Sport Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Texas iTrader: (0)	Is there any potential harm in depressing the M sport button while the engine is cold?
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03-07-2012, 07:12 AM	#21
lcrain Captain 56 Rep 865 Posts Drives: e36 m3, TT-RS Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Dallas, TX iTrader: (1)	I have always kept it below ~4k rpms until the oil temp needle is in the middle (don't know what temp that actually represents, sorry) and have done this in my previous turbo charged car. Is this completely necessary? Most of my driving during an average day doesn't see the temp reach the middle...which makes the driving rather boring. It takes much longer than my previous car. Should I worry about it so strictly or what? I would love to start enjoying my drive to work a little more... Thanks
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03-07-2012, 07:43 AM	#22
Superfly Private 9 Rep 82 Posts Drives: BMW 1M Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: France iTrader: (0)	I've been told and red that 80% of the wear of an engine occurs at the start up, so on the first start i prefer to wait 30s before driving off.
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