Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums General General start the car and go or let it warm up

of late I have found it best to let the car, a 95 v6 atx, warm up to the point where the temp gauge is on 'o' before I drive off because the car just runs better. Does any body do this as well or just drive off after they start the car? By the way the temp out side today is 36 degrees fahrenheit. Is there anything I can do to make my car run better when it is cold outside before it reaches it optimum operating temperature? THe car sounds like it is having a hard time breathing when driving with the temp guage in front of the 'n' on the white bar of the temp scale.

Any thoughts

I dont know man...a good analogy would be a basketball player. He will not perform well if he doesnt "warm-up" and stretch at the beginning of the game. Which could lead to problems on the court...including injuries. If the player did all the warmups and stretches...he is more invulnerable to injuries and will perform 100% better.

Know what i mean?

understand
guess I will either have to leave a half hour earlier just to let the car warm off before I leave or I will have to get on one of those remote start up systems installed in my car. Who makes the cheapest?

After about 60 seconds idling, aka allowing oil to get to all parts of the engine, that will take much longer and waste more gas than driving conservatively until it's completely warm. There was a discussion on this several years ago and basically 1 min a idle then soft driving until your needle is in it normal position.

For a person, the best warm up is often a slow jog.

-Andy

Usually with mine I wait until the idle sounds smooth, rpm's are okay, I'm happy that she's running right.
It usually takes about 30 seconds in the summer, a little longer spring/fall, and in winter, I'm usually waiting for the cabin temp to rise somewhat before I get in, so not sure then.

the heat on this car get warm after the temp gauge needle is on the white part unless it is below freezing and will not get warm until the needle is on -n- nothing like my 318I I4 which would run but take for ever to get warm.

I usually wait in the fall/winter when its like 20 degrees in the morning, until the RPM drops until it hits around 1g, or normal...750. Ive heard its not good to let your car "warm-up" for more than 10 minutes though, becuz of the cat-converter. I dont know if this is true....

what problems would warming up your car cause your "cat-converter"

if it's chilly out, i'll start the car and wait till the seat belt warning light goes off (~1 minute), then i'll go. If it's freezing or below, then i'll start the car and let it run while i go back inside and get ready for work. This way i don't have to sit in a freezing cold car, and i'm sure everything is good to go. I could care less about gas economy.