Is it a good idea to let the various fluids in your car move around for a minute right after you turn it on?

Question

I live in Florida, so it's never cold for very long. But I was wondering if it's generally good to let your car run for a minute before you start to drive.

Answer 1

Yes. Start your car and let it run for a little bit to build up oil pressure and circulate the oil throughout the engine. Let it idle while you're putting on your seatbelt or adjusting mirrors and things. It only takes maybe an extra 20-30 seconds. Your car will appreciate it.

Answer 2

Not only fluids will come to normal operating viscosity but so will the seals, and mechanical moving parts. A minute or two will do.

Answer 3

No. Once you turn the engine on, the damage has been done. If you can, warm the engine with a heater before starting the engine.

Sitting in the driveway or parking lot after turning the car on does nothing. Actual driving will warm the engine up faster, absent a plug-in heater.

Answer 4

Hello

Just remember gravity.when you shut the car off all the oil drains back into the oilpan.The most waer happens while you are starting the car,cylinders have no oil.So yes let it run for a bit before you put the gas to it.

Hope this helps.

Answer 5

Sure is. A minute or two like everybody here says gives the oil time to get to where it can start doing it's job before you place a demand on your engine.

Plus, that time gives your idle speed time to stabilize and lets your O2 sensor heat up so your engine control is in closed loop (efficient and eco-friendly).

Answer 6

A minute is more than enough,  and never gun the engine just after starting.   All the oil has run down to the pan,  and a minute at idle allows it to get back into the lifters and rocker assemblies at the top of the engine,  as well as dampen the seals.    Gunning when you start is unnessary strain on a dry engine.

Answer 7

It is not nearly as important as it once was to warm up a car before driving because.

1) Electronically controlled fuel injection works much better when cold than carburetors.

2) The oil most people use these days e.g. 5W20 is not as thick when cold as the 10W40 oil that was once common.