Is there any actual benefit from having your car idle in the morning until operating temperature?

Question

I mean, is there really a benefit of having your car parked in the driveway for about 10-15 minutes waiting for it to reach normal operating temperature?

Someone told me there was, because it doesn't stress the engine so much since it is warmed up, but then I read on a forum that it was useless and just wasted gas.

I want to know because I used to do it, but now, I tend to just pull off right away and I notice my transmission to be a little more jolty when switching gears...

Answer 1

Not with gas at $ 4.00 a gallon

$ 6.25 a gallon in Canada

h**l; I let mine roll down the driveway before starting at these prices.

Answer 2

I don't know about 10-15 minutes, but a lot of car manuals suggest warming up a car for a minute or so before you start driving.

10-15 minute idling IS a waste of gas. If you still did that, I would only warm up the car for a minute and go.

Or just check the manual for your car to see if it is necessary for you.

Answer 3

In a normally serviced car you only need 1 minute at the most until you can drive away - The reason you 'warm' up an engine is to get oil etc properly flowing to lubricate the motor - Automatic cars take just a bit longer than a manual gear box , but on average unless it is at freezing temp you need no longer - Do not 'rev' motor just let it idle

Answer 4

the best thing to do when starting a car is to let it idle and warm up about 30 seconds or so to make sure the oil has had a chance to warm up and circulate.  Once the oil has circulated its ready to go.

Answer 5

In older model cars yes ... newer ones no

Answer 6

For newer cars No. I read this on CNN that you can start driving your car right away normally. Meaning not hard stopping or accelerating until the car reaches to normal temperature.

Also I have noticed that if you start driving the car right away it gets to normal temperature quickly versus waiting to let it "heat up" on it's own.

J