Standard warm-up time in cold

[longjohn720]

What is the recommended time to let the SL1 warm up in 20 degree temps? With my comute, I am out of the driveway and up to highway speeds within 2 minutes, and I'm afraid that an insuffucient warmup followed by 70mph may damage something.

2002 SL1
121k miles

[TXSaturn02]

Most of what I've heard, ten seconds is all you need - just enough time for you to start the car, then adjust the radio and put on your seat belt. Not so in the old days, but supposedly the newer technology can handle it.

[davorocks]

Im in the same boat. I dont think it will hurt any thing. If youre worried let it sit a few minutes before you set off.

[OldNuc]

The new technology will not take it. A 2 minute idle warm up is a good idea if you are going immediately to highway speed. good synthetic oil would be an excellent idea also.

[longjohn720]

Originally Posted by OldNuc

The new technology will not take it. A 2 minute idle warm up is a good idea if you are going immediately to highway speed. good synthetic oil would be an excellent idea also.

Thanks, Nuc. That's about what I figured.

[Saturn-R]

I agree with a longer several minute warm up. Not going to chance breaking anything seems a good idea, especially if you're hitting the highway like that. I wait until my car reads 1/8 on the gauge. 1/4 is normal operating temp for it. (Mine)

[alordofchaos]

Just to be sure, you are running 5w30 oil?

There seems to be an annual discussion about crank-case oil warmers, too, might be worth looking into.

Semi-off topic, saw a special last night on Japan's "super subs" of WWII - built to launch and carry 3 specially designed bombers and in theory could have cruised around South America to launch attacks on DC, NY, Panama Canal, etc.

Warming up the oil (apparently an idea shared by the Germans) resolved their issue of having to warm the engines up before launching the bombers (could take up to 20 minutes, and they would have had to do it while on the surface or submerged, neither one an acceptable solution)

[TXSaturn02]

Originally Posted by alordofchaos

Just to be sure, you are running 5w30 oil?

There seems to be an annual discussion about crank-case oil warmers, too, might be worth looking into.

Semi-off topic, saw a special last night on Japan's "super subs" of WWII - built to launch and carry 3 specially designed bombers and in theory could have cruised around South America to launch attacks on DC, NY, Panama Canal, etc.

Warming up the oil (apparently an idea STOLEN FROM the Germans) resolved their issue of having to warm the engines up before launching the bombers (could take up to 20 minutes, and they would have had to do it while on the surface or submerged, neither one an acceptable solution)

FIXED that part above. I saw that same show on PBS.

If two minutes is recommended for warm-up, then four minutes is twice as good. Then again, if it is that cold where you live, the car may rust away before engine is destroyed from cold starts. The weakest link is your greatest concern.

[Bernie]

Originally Posted by OldNuc

The new technology will not take it. A 2 minute idle warm up is a good idea if you are going immediately to highway speed. good synthetic oil would be an excellent idea also.

Sorry OldNuc but I am uncomfortable with that approach. While warming up the engine for a few minutes is a very good idea, getting on the road and immediately going to 70 mph is not, at least not unless you absolutely have to. The engine will barely warm with a 2 minute idle and that's not the problem, the problem is that everything else like the trans, wheel bearings and all other drive related mechanicals will be ice cold and somewhat stiff. Granted the oil and grease lubricants used in these cars is far better than those of yester years, you're still pushing the envelope if you're hitting 70 mph right away. Why not try to gradually ease into the higher speeds?

[alordofchaos]

Originally Posted by TXSaturn02

FIXED that part above.

The Japanese stealing/copying technology? Tell me it ain't so!

[OldNuc]

Originally Posted by Bernie

Sorry OldNuc but I am uncomfortable with that approach. While warming up the engine for a few minutes is a very good idea, getting on the road and immediately going to 70 mph is not, at least not unless you absolutely have to. The engine will barely warm with a 2 minute idle and that's not the problem, the problem is that everything else like the trans, wheel bearings and all other drive related mechanicals will be ice cold and somewhat stiff. Granted the oil and grease lubricants used in these cars is far better than those of yester years, you're still pushing the envelope if you're hitting 70 mph right away. Why not try to gradually ease into the higher speeds?

The OP has a 2 minute drive before hitting the highway. That is a total of 4 minutes and although not optimal it will do. All bearings are either oil or synthetic grease lubed and the trans is full of ATF. The major risk is the engine. Running up to 70mph may be a traffic requirement. Generally speaking 4 to 5 minutes of gentle driving is adequate to get the lubricants flowing and that is the objective, not operating temperature.

[AlexofNazareth]

^ +1

Just dont beat the piss out of it before its warmed up

[mattwithcats]

Run a 0W-30 synthetic oil. Start car, warm for 2-3 minutes, drive 35 mph or 5-7 and 50mph
After the temp gauge starts moving, drive normally.

[trottida]

The general consensus here in the North is that idling your car in the winter is not good for it. That could be an environmentalist recommendation though to reduce consumption and emissions. The better approach is to drive it gently until up to operating temperatures.

Usually you start it, scrape the frost/snow off the windows and drive away with a gentle throttle. There has been times where it took a few miles for the flat spot on the tires to work itself out and shifts (manual transmission) are difficult. At those temperatures block heaters are recommended as well or you risk a no start situation due to not enough cold crank amps from the battery. We only get these temperatures (-40 degree Celsius) for a few weeks in January/February though.

[OldNuc]

If the car is sitting outside and you start it, then scrape all windows that should get you the 2 minutes. Then the 2 minute drive to the highway will get you the low load road warm up. Synthetic lubricants will minimize the engine warm up time and everything else on the car that rotates is either oil or synthetic lube. And you are correct, a long idle warm up is not good for the engine.

[simkid5614]

I was too wondering this. I have about 3 miles of road, with clutching at about 45 mph to get to highway cruising, I know florida doesnt get that cold, but in my area i can experience 18* Sufficient enough being 3 miles, then 65 MPH highway?

[longjohn720]

Sorry, I should have stated originally that it is a manual transmission, and that I do run 5w30. Thanks to all for the helpful info, and unfortunately there is no other choice than to take the highway right off the bat without adding to my already long commute. A 2 minute warmup, followed by an easy drive to the highway seems like the best bet.

On another note, though, why wouldn't a long idle warm up be bad for the engine? And what is considered too long?

[longjohn720]

Originally Posted by longjohn720

On another note, though, why wouldn't a long idle warm up be bad for the engine? And what is considered too long?

Sorry, that should say, "Why WOULD a long warm up be bad for the engine? And what is considered too long?" Thanks!

[OldNuc]

The biggest reason with modern EFI engines is everything else is cold still and the driver is all toasty warm and fails to drive gently for the first couple of minutes of running. That and it really goes through fuel sitting and idling like that.

[brags]

Originally Posted by longjohn720

Sorry, I should have stated originally that it is a manual transmission, and that I do run 5w30. Thanks to all for the helpful info, and unfortunately there is no other choice than to take the highway right off the bat without adding to my already long commute. A 2 minute warmup, followed by an easy drive to the highway seems like the best bet.

On another note, though, why wouldn't a long idle warm up be bad for the engine? And what is considered too long?

use 5w30 synthetic oil it clings to engine parts meaning your engine is better
protected at start up and there after. no need for "long warm-ups"
especially in 20 degree temp if you are your waisting fuel. Your saturn has
computer controled EFI just drive the car easy up to legal speed and your
engine will actually warm up quicker by doing it that way. than leting it idle