Do we need to warm up our cars?

**nitelyfe** · 06-20-2008 05:48 PM

I did a search and didn't find anything specifically saying yes or no to this. Does it matter if we do or not? Does it make a difference if you're chipped? I know my A4 seems happier if I let it sit after I start it for the first time in several hours. Seems to like to wait for 2-3 minutes or for the initial 1250 or so rmps to settle down to 800 or so.

Anyone know the official word?

**favianjanitra** · 06-20-2008 05:51 PM

i always wait till the rpm drops to 800 every cold start up..takes about 1 minute plus

**04QuattroTurbo** · 06-20-2008 05:53 PM

You are in the bay area, no you don't. Idling and "warming" your car not only kills gas mileage it can also, on the long run damage your emissions and you engine. Read your manual, it will tell you of such things.

Most of the emission equipment, do not start working until the car is hot, that's why you want a warm car when you smog it. The map for the ecu is a little richer, while the car is cold and leans out as it warms up.

**P3RryaudiA4** · 06-20-2008 05:56 PM

u start the car up its in open loop, so u run rich until the car starts reading the o2 sensor, wait a min for the idle to drop and ur car is in closed loop, and ur good to go,

bye

**04QuattroTurbo** · 06-20-2008 05:57 PM

Originally Posted by favianjanitra

i always wait till the rpm drops to 800 every cold start up..takes about 1 minute plus

The ECU idles the car up in order to warm up the car faster. This happens with any ECU car, it is like the "choke" on older carb cars. When the normal temp is reached, the ECU sets the idle to the normal (800). But you don't need to wait for it while idling, as this can be damaging to the components of the car. You should reach the optimal operating temp with about 1-5 mins of driving, but you should go easy on the car until is reached that point, since the oil is still not as viscous.

**P3RryaudiA4** · 06-20-2008 06:00 PM

what components could be damaged, i dont really understand, could u explain a lil more plz ? thxs

**Capt. Obvious** · 06-20-2008 06:00 PM

The manual says you don't need to unless it's very cold out. It says to just start the car and start driving.

*This means drive it nicely until it warms up, don't just start it up and start ripping on it, BTW.

**aaaudiprotein** · 06-20-2008 06:05 PM

You shouldnt, if possible, get into full boost until your engine is fully warmed up. That will increase your turbo's life :)))
I usually wait till my rpms drop to 800. If it's been outside just like for 2-3 hrs, i give it about 5-10 seconds.

**nitelyfe** · 06-20-2008 06:32 PM

Originally Posted by 04QuattroTurbo

The ECU idles the car up in order to warm up the car faster. This happens with any ECU car, it is like the "choke" on older carb cars. When the normal temp is reached, the ECU sets the idle to the normal (800). But you don't need to wait for it while idling, as this can be damaging to the components of the car. You should reach the optimal operating temp with about 1-5 mins of driving, but you should go easy on the car until is reached that point, since the oil is still not as viscous.

You are not the first person I've heard preach this and it does make sense (first I've seen on audizine though). I'm gonna take your advice. I'm interested to see what it does to my gpm.

On a side note... DAMN IT'S HOT IN THE BAY TODAY!

Fairfield has got to be 100+ right now.

**Firefighter637** · 06-20-2008 06:34 PM

When I start mine from a cold start the rpms bounce around from about 600 to 1000 for the first 10-30 secs and especially if i put it in drive right away. So....I usually let mine warm up because it sounds terrible when I first start it up.

**nitelyfe** · 06-20-2008 06:36 PM

Originally Posted by Capt. Obvious

The manual says you don't need to unless it's very cold out. It says to just start the car and start driving.

*This means drive it nicely until it warms up, don't just start it up and start ripping on it, BTW.

Yeah... I've seen it. I'm actually more interested in my car's point of view (mods and all) and even more interested in a if it applies to a even more heavily modded a4.

**nitelyfe** · 06-20-2008 06:37 PM

Originally Posted by Firefighter637

When I start mine from a cold start the rpms bounce around from about 600 to 1000 for the first 10-30 secs and especially if i put it in drive right away. So....I usually let mine warm up because it sounds terrible when I first start it up.

I'm pretty sure you change it's "warming" behavior if you switch it out of park.

**mxrz** · 06-20-2008 06:37 PM

Except in very cold winter weather, you can go as soon as you start, but as a general rule, accelerate slowly and don't rev it past 3500rpm till the water temp gauge points straight up.

**initiala4** · 06-20-2008 07:35 PM

Well what I always do when I first fire up the car in the morning is let the rpm drop till 800 or 900 then drive off. During the first 8 minutes you want to drive as normal and gently without getting to boost. These first 8 minutes is the period where the engine oil slowly increases to its optimal temperature. You can check it via vagcom block 130 I think.