MINI2

mark-tifosi · Nov 28th, 2003, 12:53 PM

which do you do?

i always thought warming up the engine was a good thing, and i'm certain many other people belive in warming up the engine. however, when i read the owners manual not long after purchasing the car i saw this:

"Do not allow the engine to warm up at a standstill. Drive off as soon as possible using moderate engine speeds."

im not freaking out or anything, but i have always wondered why the manual says that, contrary to what many people believe. anybody know?

bryce03 · Nov 28th, 2003, 12:58 PM

I was wondering that too, I thought it was maybe because it's harder on the engine for it to turn over at very low, idleing revs when its cold...

MiniAdventurer · Nov 28th, 2003, 01:17 PM

i just start up and drive off...

Oddball · Nov 28th, 2003, 01:20 PM

I tend to fire her up and then let it sit on the drive for abit.

Kev'sCoop · Nov 28th, 2003, 01:43 PM

Have you not noticed that if the car sits all its auxcillary fans come on it also heats up really fast they must just be concerned about this. I always leave mine running in cold morns to heat the car up and to heat me up.

kev

mark-tifosi · Nov 28th, 2003, 01:50 PM

hmm.. do we have any mechanics or motor-minded people that know the reason behind the "just drive it" thinking?

interesting

Resident · Nov 28th, 2003, 02:06 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by mark-tifosi

hmm.. do we have any mechanics or motor-minded people that know the reason behind the "just drive it" thinking?

Do I know the real reason.... no, but here is a possiblity. When the car is sitting still warming up only certain components are being used. By driving the car everything warms up at the same rate... That is just a total guess though.

KenL · Nov 28th, 2003, 02:07 PM

I think I heard from someone that it ain't good for the catalyst.

More importantly burning fuel for 5 minutes is bad for the environment

v8voodoo · Nov 28th, 2003, 02:10 PM

Hi guys,

I just fire her up, let the windows demist / defrost then off I go, but never over 3000rpm until I reach normal operating temperature.

It must be something to do with moving off to warm the engine quicker then getting the thermostat open faster so the hot water flows into the rad mixing with the cold stuff already in the rad which would be getting colder as you drive..?

Supercharged engines always tend to run hot though as they are compressing air, which in turn heats the air, hence the intercooler.

I think......lol
Nige.

ButtonIt · Nov 28th, 2003, 02:14 PM

Does the gearbox need to warm up as well?? I drive very slowly for the first 10/15 minutes.

punkeyfunky · Nov 28th, 2003, 02:33 PM

I think the handbook says drive off immediately so that you're not chucking emissions out into the air for nothing (or wasting gas).

As long as you are gentle whilst driving, everything will be fine. I drive off petty much straight away, but I wait for the car to warm up before I nail it.

Lee

SteveBrass · Nov 28th, 2003, 02:38 PM

I'm a start and drive off person. I reckon the main issue is getting oil around your vital parts (another reason to use a good quality oil and change it as specified - if not before). Wise not to use the full extent of the engine's rev range (thrash it) until the temp gauge is getting somewhere near normal.

ScoobyDoo · Nov 28th, 2003, 02:40 PM

In the warmer weather I just start up and drive off, but in the cold weather I find that if I don't rev her up a couple of times then the engine is a little sluggish when drive off. But combine the cold weather and the fact that I live on a hill this may be why I have to let her run first. Otherwise I don't really know why MINI say not to warm MINI's up.

Martin L · Nov 28th, 2003, 02:51 PM

I drive off straight away, unless I have to wiat for the windows to demist first.
I think warming the engine up under normal conditions is better then just letting it idle. I think the fluids etc don't get worked around so well at idle.

5280Motoring · Nov 28th, 2003, 04:49 PM

Strictly depends on whether there is frost to scrape off of the window or not. If I have to clear the windows, I start and it warms up. Otherwise, I drive off with a cold engine.

NEMINI · Nov 28th, 2003, 05:03 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by ScoobyDoo

In the warmer weather I just start up and drive off, but in the cold weather I find that if I don't rev her up a couple of times then the engine is a little sluggish when drive off. But combine the cold weather and the fact that I live on a hill this may be why I have to let her run first. Otherwise I don't really know why MINI say not to warm MINI's up.

Reving it up a few times is the worst thing you can do, far better to let it sit at idle first, need to give the engine time to get the oil up to the top of the engine before reving it.
As far as why the change from the old prinicple of always let it warm first, a lot has to do with improvements in oil, it doesn't take as much now to get it flowing, due to technological improvements, as it did when that old axiom originated

mark-tifosi · Nov 28th, 2003, 05:33 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by GMINI03

Reving it up a few times is the worst thing you can do, far better to let it sit at idle first, need to give the engine time to get the oil up to the top of the engine before reving it.
As far as why the change from the old prinicple of always let it warm first, a lot has to do with improvements in oil, it doesn't take as much now to get it flowing, due to technological improvements, as it did when that old axiom originated

thats the best explanation i've heard so far!

i think the thing about the engine getting up to temperature after driving a little is misleading though. am i right in thinking the water temperature guage is not exactly indicative of engine temperature? you can buy oil guages seperately, which should let you know when the oil is warmed sufficiently, right?

anyway, the poll is swaying heavily to 'drive it straight away'. but it would be nice to hear from someone who knows the exact reason

minikat · Nov 28th, 2003, 05:47 PM

I'm a drive off person myself. However, if it's really cold outside, I'll start the car and let the interior warm up a bit as I load up the kids etc.

Also, I tend to agree with Punkey above. I lived in Germany for a bit, a there was a law that you could not let a car sit and idle to warm up (or cool off with A/C). This was for environmental reasons. I think this could be in the manual from the German / BMW environmental roots.

NEMINI · Nov 28th, 2003, 06:35 PM

Funny you should mention that minikat, if you go digging you'll find the same law on the books in most areas of the US also, very rarely enforced however, and then usually only on commercial vehicles.

MT- the MINI temp. guage is more of an idiot light then a gauge. It does not move and flucuate like a true gauge should, it is unfortunately programmed to stay centered except when ice cold or about to boil over.

MaxaMini · Nov 28th, 2003, 06:38 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by mark-tifosi

thats the best explanation i've heard so far!

anyway, the poll is swaying heavily to 'drive it straight away'. but it would be nice to hear from someone who knows the exact reason

Yes Yes Yes! Drive it staight away But then head for the twisities. Minimize always, the straight ahead driving.

View Poll Results: do you let the engine warm-up before driving off?
yep, let it run for a while on the driveway	16	20.78%
nope, drive off from cold	61	79.22%
Voters: 77. You may not vote on this poll

Nov 28th, 2003, 12:53 PM	#1
mark-tifosi finished already Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Dorset Local Time: 09:44 AM Posts: 460 Offline	warm-up which do you do? i always thought warming up the engine was a good thing, and i'm certain many other people belive in warming up the engine. however, when i read the owners manual not long after purchasing the car i saw this: "Do not allow the engine to warm up at a standstill. Drive off as soon as possible using moderate engine speeds." im not freaking out or anything, but i have always wondered why the manual says that, contrary to what many people believe. anybody know?

Nov 28th, 2003, 02:07 PM	#8 (permalink)
KenL MINI2 Master Join Date: May 2002 Location: Edinburgh Local Time: 09:44 AM Posts: 5,146 Offline	I think I heard from someone that it ain't good for the catalyst. More importantly burning fuel for 5 minutes is bad for the environment Red/Black R56 Cooper

Nov 28th, 2003, 02:10 PM	#9 (permalink)
v8voodoo MINI2 Regular Join Date: May 2003 Location: Kent, UK. Local Time: 08:44 AM Posts: 185 Offline	Hi guys, I just fire her up, let the windows demist / defrost then off I go, but never over 3000rpm until I reach normal operating temperature. It must be something to do with moving off to warm the engine quicker then getting the thermostat open faster so the hot water flows into the rad mixing with the cold stuff already in the rad which would be getting colder as you drive..? Supercharged engines always tend to run hot though as they are compressing air, which in turn heats the air, hence the intercooler. I think......lol Nige. EB/W Cooper S, leather, 16" x-lites, climate, sunroof, heated seats, MFSW, Alpine CD. Whalen Shifter, Bonnet stripes, tints all round. Normally to be found in the outside lane of the M20.

Nov 28th, 2003, 02:14 PM	#10 (permalink)
ButtonIt The Disorganiser My Classifieds Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Waiting for others Local Time: 09:44 AM Posts: 15,196 Offline	Does the gearbox need to warm up as well?? I drive very slowly for the first 10/15 minutes. Sponsor our Rickshaw team, please click here for info

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Nov 28th, 2003, 12:58 PM	#2 (permalink)
bryce03 MINI2 Regular My Classifieds Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Scotland Local Time: 09:44 AM Posts: 182 Offline	I was wondering that too, I thought it was maybe because it's harder on the engine for it to turn over at very low, idleing revs when its cold...

Nov 28th, 2003, 01:17 PM	#3 (permalink)
MiniAdventurer mysterious girl Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: In the library... Local Time: 09:44 AM Posts: 7,833 Offline	i just start up and drive off...

Nov 28th, 2003, 01:20 PM	#4 (permalink)
Oddball Just Lurking..... Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: .....somewhere Local Time: 08:44 AM Posts: 1,794 Offline	I tend to fire her up and then let it sit on the drive for abit.

Nov 28th, 2003, 01:43 PM	#5 (permalink)
Kev'sCoop MINI2 Senior Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: east kilbride Local Time: 08:44 AM Posts: 379 Offline	Have you not noticed that if the car sits all its auxcillary fans come on it also heats up really fast they must just be concerned about this. I always leave mine running in cold morns to heat the car up and to heat me up. kev

Nov 28th, 2003, 01:50 PM	#6 (permalink)
mark-tifosi finished already Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Dorset Local Time: 09:44 AM Posts: 460 Offline	hmm.. do we have any mechanics or motor-minded people that know the reason behind the "just drive it" thinking? interesting

Nov 28th, 2003, 02:06 PM	#7 (permalink)
Resident MINI2 Newbie Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Bay Area, CA Local Time: 01:44 AM Posts: 48 Offline	Quote: Originally Posted by mark-tifosi hmm.. do we have any mechanics or motor-minded people that know the reason behind the "just drive it" thinking? Do I know the real reason.... no, but here is a possiblity. When the car is sitting still warming up only certain components are being used. By driving the car everything warms up at the same rate... That is just a total guess though.

Nov 28th, 2003, 02:33 PM	#11 (permalink)
punkeyfunky UberGeek Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Milton Keynes Local Time: 08:44 AM Posts: 858 Offline	I think the handbook says drive off immediately so that you're not chucking emissions out into the air for nothing (or wasting gas). As long as you are gentle whilst driving, everything will be fine. I drive off petty much straight away, but I wait for the car to warm up before I nail it. Lee

Nov 28th, 2003, 02:38 PM	#12 (permalink)
SteveBrass MINI2 Senior My Classifieds Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: staffordshire (not a Local Time: 09:44 AM Posts: 381 Offline	I'm a start and drive off person. I reckon the main issue is getting oil around your vital parts (another reason to use a good quality oil and change it as specified - if not before). Wise not to use the full extent of the engine's rev range (thrash it) until the temp gauge is getting somewhere near normal. R56 AB Cooper

Nov 28th, 2003, 02:40 PM	#13 (permalink)
ScoobyDoo Back in a first gen. My Classifieds Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: DBRally Local Time: 09:44 AM Posts: 1,411 Offline	In the warmer weather I just start up and drive off, but in the cold weather I find that if I don't rev her up a couple of times then the engine is a little sluggish when drive off. But combine the cold weather and the fact that I live on a hill this may be why I have to let her run first. Otherwise I don't really know why MINI say not to warm MINI's up. http://www.dbrally.net

Nov 28th, 2003, 02:51 PM	#14 (permalink)
Martin L MINI defector Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Harefield Local Time: 09:44 AM Posts: 13,607 Offline	I drive off straight away, unless I have to wiat for the windows to demist first. I think warming the engine up under normal conditions is better then just letting it idle. I think the fluids etc don't get worked around so well at idle. MINI, RX8 and MX5 - Done those............. It's now TTime Unofficial MINI2.com bean counter

Nov 28th, 2003, 04:49 PM	#15 (permalink)
5280Motoring 12th Floor Cube Dweller Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: The Phantom Zone Local Time: 01:44 AM Posts: 248 Offline	Strictly depends on whether there is frost to scrape off of the window or not. If I have to clear the windows, I start and it warms up. Otherwise, I drive off with a cold engine. Visit the Pool Cleaners from Distant Planets Izzy is an '03 MCS, with PP, CWP. It's BRG on BRG. I know, BFD.

Nov 28th, 2003, 05:03 PM	#16 (permalink)
NEMINI NEMINI.org Join Date: Sep 2002 Local Time: 03:44 AM Posts: 7,872 Offline	Quote: Originally Posted by ScoobyDoo In the warmer weather I just start up and drive off, but in the cold weather I find that if I don't rev her up a couple of times then the engine is a little sluggish when drive off. But combine the cold weather and the fact that I live on a hill this may be why I have to let her run first. Otherwise I don't really know why MINI say not to warm MINI's up. Reving it up a few times is the worst thing you can do, far better to let it sit at idle first, need to give the engine time to get the oil up to the top of the engine before reving it. As far as why the change from the old prinicple of always let it warm first, a lot has to do with improvements in oil, it doesn't take as much now to get it flowing, due to technological improvements, as it did when that old axiom originated NEMINI.org, NEMINI.us, NEMINI.info, NYMINI.org

Nov 28th, 2003, 05:33 PM	#17 (permalink)
mark-tifosi finished already Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Dorset Local Time: 09:44 AM Posts: 460 Offline	Quote: Originally Posted by GMINI03 Reving it up a few times is the worst thing you can do, far better to let it sit at idle first, need to give the engine time to get the oil up to the top of the engine before reving it. As far as why the change from the old prinicple of always let it warm first, a lot has to do with improvements in oil, it doesn't take as much now to get it flowing, due to technological improvements, as it did when that old axiom originated thats the best explanation i've heard so far! i think the thing about the engine getting up to temperature after driving a little is misleading though. am i right in thinking the water temperature guage is not exactly indicative of engine temperature? you can buy oil guages seperately, which should let you know when the oil is warmed sufficiently, right? anyway, the poll is swaying heavily to 'drive it straight away'. but it would be nice to hear from someone who knows the exact reason

Nov 28th, 2003, 05:47 PM	#18 (permalink)
minikat MINI2 Newbie Join Date: Oct 2003 Local Time: 03:44 AM Posts: 37 Offline	I'm a drive off person myself. However, if it's really cold outside, I'll start the car and let the interior warm up a bit as I load up the kids etc. Also, I tend to agree with Punkey above. I lived in Germany for a bit, a there was a law that you could not let a car sit and idle to warm up (or cool off with A/C). This was for environmental reasons. I think this could be in the manual from the German / BMW environmental roots.

Nov 28th, 2003, 06:35 PM	#19 (permalink)
NEMINI NEMINI.org Join Date: Sep 2002 Local Time: 03:44 AM Posts: 7,872 Offline	Funny you should mention that minikat, if you go digging you'll find the same law on the books in most areas of the US also, very rarely enforced however, and then usually only on commercial vehicles. MT- the MINI temp. guage is more of an idiot light then a gauge. It does not move and flucuate like a true gauge should, it is unfortunately programmed to stay centered except when ice cold or about to boil over. NEMINI.org, NEMINI.us, NEMINI.info, NYMINI.org

Nov 28th, 2003, 06:38 PM	#20 (permalink)
MaxaMini Privileged & Gifted Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Area 51 Local Time: 04:44 AM Posts: 8,136 Offline	Quote: Originally Posted by mark-tifosi thats the best explanation i've heard so far! anyway, the poll is swaying heavily to 'drive it straight away'. but it would be nice to hear from someone who knows the exact reason Yes Yes Yes! Drive it staight away But then head for the twisities. Minimize always, the straight ahead driving.

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