Engine Warm-up: Necessary or not?

[binarypill]

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Sir, is this for motorcycle or 4 wheeled, or more, vehicle?
Because in cars or trucks, if you start the engine and it suddenly dies, there's something wrong with your vehicle.
Cars or trucks, no matter how old it is, when properly maintained, should not die, or should not be weak, after a start up.

Yes, you're right there that we have to slowly warm up the engine. And one way of warming it up is to run the vehicle slowly on its few kilometers, and never rev it up more than 2000rpm, until the right engine temp is reached.
And about the heat, if the metal can handle the heat. Engine parts are built to handle the engine heat, even at its peak, for as long as your cooling system is okay.
And I guess, metals surrounding the engine won't crack easily. There must be something wrong if the metal cracks (like too much bolt tightening, etc) hehehehe

And if you have a good quality of engine oil, no matter how cold it is in our place (Cebu), it won't matter during cold start up 'coz the required kind of engine oil for our country won't degrade just because its cold in the morning or in the evening.
Dba we have this 0W, 5W, etc. I think here in our country, the required engine oils are labelled 10W-40, 15W-40 (correct me if I'm wrong on this one).
Well, if your oil degrade over time, it's a different story.

In my opinion, if your vehicle's engine is weak after a cold start up, I think it needs a check by a mechanic.
Maybe it needs tune up, or top overhaul, or whatever it is needed.

And for motorcycle, no idea, really hehehe

If mamatay ang imong makina during the early mornings, there are many factors to consider such as the age of the engine, what type of engine it is, carbed ba na or unsa ba, etc. etc. Age affects how the components fit together. Magkatiguwang ang engine, mag wear and tear na jud. So dili na jud inana ka maayo siya. Diesel engines have different running profiles than gasoline engines, so mo matter pud na. Carbed engines rely on mechanical parts for fuel combuistion while newer engines use mini computers. That will also matter. Dili jud na clear cut na, if mapawong buntag, guba na jud na. I think this is true for both small and large engines.

If you think you're doing your vehicle any favors by running the engine low during the morning commute to let it heat up, you're probably wrong. Consider that, when you are running your vehicle, your engine is carrying a load. Whereas, if you are only idling, it is running 'free'. To confirm this, try to check how easily your rpm goes up if you are on neutral/idling than when you are on gear/driving. In short, even if it sounds like your rpm is low, your engine is already working hard.

Regarding the engine metal, yes it is definitely built to tolerate heat. But that's not the issue. The issue is temperature change - specifically quick temperature change. Of course manufacturers have already considered this when building the engine so we have a margin of safety there. However, do you really want to test that margin of safet? Isn't it just safer to warm up your engine in the morning just for a couple of minutes?

You've got a good point on the engine oil but degarding engine oil is not an issue. During a time of inoperation, your engine oil will naturally settle down to the bottom of the engine. Of course, some will stick to the engine parts. They're designed to do that. But you can be sure that the oil that remains on the parts of the engine that rub together are way less in volume than the oil that settles at the bottom.

So what happens when you run your engine in the morning? The oil from the bottom has to recirculate through the engine's moving parts. Now what happens if you don't give the oil enough time to recirculate? You have engine parts rubbing together with minimal lubrication.

I respect your opinion about weak engines on cold start up but I disagree. Your engine is not an inert block of metal that is unaffected by temperature and other environmental factors. Your engine block may seem like an immovable/unbreakable against your fleshy hands and your human strength but cold and heat - specifically temperature changes - makes weaklings of everything given the right conditions.

So, if your engine seems weak during a cold start, give it some idling time. The oil is recirculating, the metals are heating up for optimal combustion, etc. etc. If after a few minutes it still doesn't run right, then you need a mechanic.

Internal combustion engines are basically the same whether they're in a car or a motorcycle. The size changes but the principle is the same.

[edeu]

If mamatay ang imong makina during the early mornings, there are many factors to consider such as the age of the engine, what type of engine it is, carbed ba na or unsa ba, etc. etc. Age affects how the components fit together. Magkatiguwang ang engine, mag wear and tear na jud. So dili na jud inana ka maayo siya. Diesel engines have different running profiles than gasoline engines, so mo matter pud na. Carbed engines rely on mechanical parts for fuel combuistion while newer engines use mini computers. That will also matter. Dili jud na clear cut na, if mapawong buntag, guba na jud na. I think this is true for both small and large engines.

If you think you're doing your vehicle any favors by running the engine low during the morning commute to let it heat up, you're probably wrong. Consider that, when you are running your vehicle, your engine is carrying a load. Whereas, if you are only idling, it is running 'free'. To confirm this, try to check how easily your rpm goes up if you are on neutral/idling than when you are on gear/driving. In short, even if it sounds like your rpm is low, your engine is already working hard.

Regarding the engine metal, yes it is definitely built to tolerate heat. But that's not the issue. The issue is temperature change - specifically quick temperature change. Of course manufacturers have already considered this when building the engine so we have a margin of safety there. However, do you really want to test that margin of safet? Isn't it just safer to warm up your engine in the morning just for a couple of minutes?

You've got a good point on the engine oil but degarding engine oil is not an issue. During a time of inoperation, your engine oil will naturally settle down to the bottom of the engine. Of course, some will stick to the engine parts. They're designed to do that. But you can be sure that the oil that remains on the parts of the engine that rub together are way less in volume than the oil that settles at the bottom.

So what happens when you run your engine in the morning? The oil from the bottom has to recirculate through the engine's moving parts. Now what happens if you don't give the oil enough time to recirculate? You have engine parts rubbing together with minimal lubrication.

I respect your opinion about weak engines on cold start up but I disagree. Your engine is not an inert block of metal that is unaffected by temperature and other environmental factors. Your engine block may seem like an immovable/unbreakable against your fleshy hands and your human strength but cold and heat - specifically temperature changes - makes weaklings of everything given the right conditions.

So, if your engine seems weak during a cold start, give it some idling time. The oil is recirculating, the metals are heating up for optimal combustion, etc. etc. If after a few minutes it still doesn't run right, then you need a mechanic.

Internal combustion engines are basically the same whether they're in a car or a motorcycle. The size changes but the principle is the same.

very well said! thanks bro.!

[bagtaksalamok]

share lng ko.

if you have time. basaha.

6 Car Myths That Cost You Money Every Year | Cracked.com


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The Myth:
Whenever you start your engine, particularly on cold days, you have to let it warm up to its normal temperature before driving, otherwise it will turn into a bear and eat your dog. Or wait, no, that's feeding ferrets after sundown. If you drive a cold engine, the whole blasted thing will self-destruct, right?

The Reality:
As long as you're not flooring it everywhere you go, you can get going as soon as you turn the key. This myth comes from an understandable place: Various engine parts and oil do take some time to warm up before they can operate at full capacity. However, an idling engine takes much longer to warm up, so it ends up experiencing far more cold-start wear and tear than if you just hopped in and drove it.
Think about it: When your engine is idling, it's still producing power, so what difference does it make if that power is being used to move the car or just scratch its shiny metal ass? Additionally, there are other parts of your car that also need warming up, like your transmission and wheel bearings, and those don't get any help until you actually get the thing moving.

Plus, there's another one of your components that needs warming up to function: your catalytic converter. Until that gets up to operating temperature, your emissions are through the roof. Every second you let your car idle in the cold, a single tear freezes to Al Gore's face. And that's only funny the first dozen times or so. Just avoid highway speeds and rapid acceleration for a few miles, and you can drive right off, winter be damned.
Of course, that all applies to newer, fuel-injected cars. If you've got an old carbureted classic out there, you can hang out in the parking lot for a while, if only to let the opposite *** get a good heaping eyeful of you.

[harphaul]

If mamatay ang imong makina during the early mornings, there are many factors to consider such as the age of the engine, what type of engine it is, carbed ba na or unsa ba, etc. etc. Age affects how the components fit together. Magkatiguwang ang engine, mag wear and tear na jud. So dili na jud inana ka maayo siya. Diesel engines have different running profiles than gasoline engines, so mo matter pud na. Carbed engines rely on mechanical parts for fuel combuistion while newer engines use mini computers. That will also matter. Dili jud na clear cut na, if mapawong buntag, guba na jud na. I think this is true for both small and large engines.

- You're right sir, age does matter. But how you maintain your old engine matters more. The older your vehicle gets, the more care it needs. We have an almost 20 year old diesel powered vehicle, and yet it hasn't have any problem during cold start. Simply because we followed the regular PMS on its first 10 years, and then after, we've been doing every 3 months change oil, and tune up every 6 months, so as to also inspect whatever parts that need to be replaced.
Old gasoline powered vehicles have carburetor, while the one you mentioned as mini computers are the EFI (fuel injected) vehicles. Well, fuel injected gasoline vehicles have also been existing for at least 20 years (e.g. 1991 Lancer GTI, etc).

If you think you're doing your vehicle any favors by running the engine low during the morning commute to let it heat up, you're probably wrong. Consider that, when you are running your vehicle, your engine is carrying a load. Whereas, if you are only idling, it is running 'free'. To confirm this, try to check how easily your rpm goes up if you are on neutral/idling than when you are on gear/driving. In short, even if it sounds like your rpm is low, your engine is already working hard.

- As far as I have read Sir, when you start up the engine, it works harder than when it is already running. Engine on while idling = 0km/L.

Regarding the engine metal, yes it is definitely built to tolerate heat. But that's not the issue. The issue is temperature change - specifically quick temperature change. Of course manufacturers have already considered this when building the engine so we have a margin of safety there. However, do you really want to test that margin of safet? Isn't it just safer to warm up your engine in the morning just for a couple of minutes?

- I didn't mention that I want to test the tolerance level of the metal. All I know, if you have a good cooling system, the engine won't break down.

You've got a good point on the engine oil but degarding engine oil is not an issue. During a time of inoperation, your engine oil will naturally settle down to the bottom of the engine. Of course, some will stick to the engine parts. They're designed to do that. But you can be sure that the oil that remains on the parts of the engine that rub together are way less in volume than the oil that settles at the bottom.

So what happens when you run your engine in the morning? The oil from the bottom has to recirculate through the engine's moving parts. Now what happens if you don't give the oil enough time to recirculate? You have engine parts rubbing together with minimal lubrication.

- As I mentioned Sir, the oil circulates fast on the system. Even if the engine is in idle state, those engine parts still rub. And that's precisely the reason why I mentioned that you have to push your gas pedal slowly on it first few km until it reaches its desired engine temp. And I also mentioned not to rev the pedal after a start up.

I respect your opinion about weak engines on cold start up but I disagree. Your engine is not an inert block of metal that is unaffected by temperature and other environmental factors. Your engine block may seem like an immovable/unbreakable against your fleshy hands and your human strength but cold and heat - specifically temperature changes - makes weaklings of everything given the right conditions.
So, if your engine seems weak during a cold start, give it some idling time. The oil is recirculating, the metals are heating up for optimal combustion, etc. etc. If after a few minutes it still doesn't run right, then you need a mechanic.
Internal combustion engines are basically the same whether they're in a car or a motorcycle. The size changes but the principle is the same.

- I also respect your opinion sir, but I still go with my opinion that a sound and well maintained engine, whether gasoline(carb/fuel injected) or diesel powered does not sound weak on an early morning, cold start up here in our place.
If your engine is indeed weak on its start up, naturally, you have to wait for it to stabilized. And better have it checked by a mechanic. My brother used to have a very old car, that during cold start up, it was very noisy (the vibration) and weak. After having it fixed by our mechanic, viola!, those cold morning waiting times were gone.
If your engine is OK on a cold start, does not vibrate, and etc, then run it immediately after doing your rituals inside the car.

Bottomline here, true that the engine needs a warm up, but too much idle warm up is not good. If other experts suggest to run your car after, at most, 30 seconds of idle in winter, how much more here in our tropical country.

I differentiate motorcycle and 4 wheeled vehicles based on my observation in my previous posts, that even on brand new motorcycles, they most of the times die after a cold start up.
Brand new cars/trucks don't have that behaviour, even for at least 3 years.

BTW, Sir bagtaksalamok has also posted a fact.

Here are other facts
Idling Facts and Myths
Should You Warm Up Your Car in Winter - Warming Up Car - The Daily Green
Idling Myths & Facts | LEaP

[carlkovich]

Car/Motorbike warmup - definitely yes around 1-2min

Reasons:

- oil need to recirculate
- oil is not at optimal operating temp (it is not the engine itself that needs to be in operating temp it is the oil inside that matters most) 10w40..15w40 or whatever oil viscosity rating you use - it needs to be at normal operating temp and viscosity (normal operating viscosity is the number after the "w") so it can provide maximum protection before you rev high.

Warmup it up 1-2min. Low rev only (below 2000rpm) if temp is not yet optimal.




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[imbambam]

ou mga 45 sec to 1minute

[binarypill]

Those are interesting reads but I'm not convinced with their reliability. A lot of their advice doesn't seem to be mechanically sound and these people are writing opinion pieces, not manuals/technical pieces.

In any case, do as you want but I'm still going to stick to warming up my engine in the mornings.

[centax error]

Drive Warm Car : Car Myths : Discovery Drive : Discovery Channel



Always Let Your Car Warm Up Before You Drive It

Always Let Your Car Warm Up Before You Drive It
It's a cold winter morning. Your car responds sluggishly when you turn the key in the ignition. Once you've got the engine going, you sit for 10 or 15 minutes to warm up the carburetor and the engine just to get the gas and oil flowing properly. That will make the engine run better, right?

Not necessarily. Carburetors are a thing of the past. Modern cars use fuel injectors, which portion out the right amount of gas for the current engine temperature. Yes, you should give the fluids time to start moving, but this generally takes less a minute and the car will warm up faster when it's moving than it will while sitting still. If you have an older car with a carburetor you might want to give it four or five minutes to warm up and if you live in a very cold climate, you might want to take time to let the interior of the car warm up while you run back inside for warm cup of cocoa — you know, so you won't be shivering while you drive. But otherwise, warming your engine just wastes gas and pollutes the air with unnecessary exhaust.

[Scott Bernard]

It's more on heat soak... or para dili instantaneous ang thermal and mechanical stress nga e endure sa atong engine.