Warming up quickly?

"and 100 more" (nth256) 01/08/2015 at 15:36 • Filed to: None

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Inspired by !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! , I was wondering, Oppo...

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What car have you owned/driven/rode in that warmed up the fastest (Ferrari a la BBQ not included)? Also, any tips on getting your ride up to operating temp quicker?

I had a rental Ford Focus for a few days last year, and I was frankly awed by how quickly it got up to full temp. Seriously, MAYBE a minute and the needle started to climb, and full temp not long after. My current DD, by comparison, takes about 3-5 minutes before the needle starts to lift, and maybe about 7 before its up to full temp.

Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer > and 100 more 01/08/2015 at 15:40

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Mine. Chevy Colorado, rising needle well within a minute, full temp in about 4—if I start driving. I've never tried it another way so I'm not going to make the claim.

BigBlock440 > and 100 more 01/08/2015 at 15:45

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Mine have basically followed a pattern. The smaller the engine, the quicker it warmed up. My old 2.0 4-cyl would start to move the needle at the end of the street, maybe a half mile of driving, 2-3 minutes. My 318 (5.2) V8 took about 5 miles or 8-is minutes. My V6 cars were in between, taking a little longer than the I4.

Justin Hughes > and 100 more 01/08/2015 at 15:46

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Whatever the car, I find the best way to warm it up is put a load on the engine - not high revs, just work it a bit. My cars warm up at higher speeds on the highway than at low speeds on back roads, which is counterintuitive if you ponder the cooling system working better at speed. It's the extra work it takes to move at highway speed.

Unfortunately my current commute doesn't allow that. It's all back roads, and I'm usually stuck doing 5-10 under the limit behind slow people. My BRZ never even reached normal temp during a 40 minute drive this morning.

JGrabowMSt > and 100 more 01/08/2015 at 15:50

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My Neon warmed up faster than the Magnum, the Magnum warmed up faster than the SL.

I bet there are very few gasoline cars that take longer to warm up than the SL.

6L of V12 german thunder isn't getting out of bed in this weather for anything.

yamahog > and 100 more 01/08/2015 at 16:01

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One of my coworkers has a new Equinox with the OnStar app that lets him start it from wherever, and he says it's warm by the time he gets in so that guy wins in my book.

My Jeep? Lolllllll. Looked up the video of someone replacing the heater core... I'll just stay bundled up.

Nibbles > and 100 more 01/08/2015 at 16:02

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My S40 warms up incredibly fast. Before I'm three houses down, the heater is kicking on and my butt is toasty.

If, in below-freezing temperatures, I have to drive the truck, it absolutely HAS to be warmed up for 10 minutes. Anything less and it will die on me, in the middle of an intersection, requiring a lot of cranking to fire back up, without fail.

Textured Soy Protein > and 100 more 01/08/2015 at 16:02

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Make sure your heater is completely turned off while the engine warms up. Running the heater takes heat out of the coolant, so wait until the needle starts moving before turning on your heat. The engine will come up to temp faster, and the heat is just going to be blowing cold air before the engine warms up anyway.

Some cars with automatic climate control take care of this for you. But I've had some cars with climate control that don't take the engine temp into account.

Alfalfa > and 100 more 01/08/2015 at 16:05

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Most of the cars I've owned were built in the 90's, which makes our 2010 Sonata easily the fastest. The Volvo isn't too far behind, though.

and 100 more > Textured Soy Protein 01/08/2015 at 16:07

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That's a good tip, I always wait until the needle starts to lift a bit. Certain significant others in my past never got this, and would jump in a cold car and crank the fan to 11...

deekster_caddy > and 100 more 01/08/2015 at 16:07

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In extreme cold you should get some warmth in a minute or two, full temp within 5 minutes of actual driving. If not, have the thermostat tested.

Warming up in the driveway needs a good 10 minutes because the engine isn't working at all, but running it for a minute or two should get you enough warmth to defrost the windshield and warm up the oil and fluids before heading out.

If you never reach full temp AND the thermostat is good, you may need a piece of cardboard or foam secured in front of half the radiator. Some cooling systems are just TOO good!

deekster_caddy > Justin Hughes 01/08/2015 at 16:08

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40 minute drive? Have the thermostat checked. If good, you might need to put a piece of cardboard or foam in front of part of the radiator. (secure it please)

I don't care how cold it is out, other than -40 you should be reaching normal temp after 10 minutes on the road.

Justin Hughes > deekster_caddy 01/08/2015 at 16:21

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The car is almost new with 10k miles so I doubt it's the thermostat. The cardboard idea is a good one. I did that on one of my Civic wagons and had great heat - too good, once spring arrived and I'd forgotten about it!

Klaus Schmoll > and 100 more 01/08/2015 at 16:24

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Here's what I wrote in respone to Torch's article: http://jalopnik.com/i-dont-really-…

In general: I am used to my petrol engines heating up fast enough that letting them idle for longer periods is just a waste. (Several Mazda 626s and now a Euro-Accord)

deekster_caddy > Justin Hughes 01/08/2015 at 16:35

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I think it's worthy of a mention/complaint to the dealer. 40 minutes of driving should give you full temp. It will cool quickly because the radiator is nice and cold, but the engine should reach normal operating temp.

x43302 > yamahog 01/08/2015 at 16:36

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I replaced the heater core on my 2005 Grand Cherokee three years ago. There are still bloodstains on the headliner. It took six hours, but I saved $1000.

Justin Hughes > deekster_caddy 01/08/2015 at 16:39

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It was close, but not quite there. I'll ask the local 86 crowd how they did this morning.

treesmakewater > and 100 more 01/08/2015 at 16:42

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my mother's crosstrek takes about two minutes. My car however... 8-10 driving 10-15 idle