BlackCab996

This is exactly what I do - seems to work great.

1999Porsche911

By the way. It doesn't matter how you warm the car up, just as long as you fully warm it up before driving it hard. You do no damage letting it idle til warmup or driving it immediatly. So do whatever tickles your fancy. If the questions is "is it necessary to warm it up fully before driving", the answer would be no.

rayscar

Is there any recommendation before turning the ignition off after returning from a drive? I heard you should let it sit and idle for avery short period, any truth to that?

dant

I guess there is mix emotions, but It sucks when its 5:30am and I am sitting out in car trying to get to the gym thinking " I have been here for 5 minutes now, and still waiting" I guess it really doesnt matter as long as I keep the revs down. Thanks for all the responses, also is normal temperature in between the 8-0 or around that area? Do these cars ever overheat in traffic? I just don't know what to expect, and the last thing I want to do is harm my car from lack of knowledge? What is everyones experience? How high has temp gotten on some of you? I have had everything from 67 camaros, to new 3 series and everything is different.

smackboy1

In my Audi, if the engine is too hot, the radiator fan will continue to run after the key is out of the ignition. Do our cars do that too (haven't driven my car in 100* temps yet)?

Riad

996's will do the same thing.

Ucube

I'm with riad! That's exactly what my routine is when warming up my car. Idle down to 700 rpm or so, then I'm off.

delirium

Me too, wait for 700RPM, it takes approx 3 -4 mins, but the temp gauge still indicates that the engine is cold.

Doug&Julie

You guys are simply wasting time if you're sitting in your car for 3-4 minutes. Start the car...give it a few seconds to get the oil flowing (like noted before, usually the amount of time it takes to get your seat belt on and get yourself adjusted), then drive off. If it's cold out, just don't hammer on the car. Modern motors w/synthetic oils will not be harmed by driving off immediately.

An idling only car warms up the motor, but nothing else. Driving the car warms up all the components at the same rate, helping to extend the life of major seals (know of any on 996s and Boxsters?) and "in between" components. Not to mention there are some components that simply can't be warmed up w/o driving the car. I'm fairly certain it's not good for a car to be driving with a warm motor and a cold transmission and/or brakes. ..nor is it safe!

Riad

Doug,

Let me ask you this question then; why do they engineer the car to idle faster when it's cold?

Rob

Doug&Julie

Dunno...?

I will say that with almost every car I've owned, a quick blip of the throttle will bring it down to a reasonable idle...if not the 700 rpm you mentioned.

Still...???

Riad

I've posted this question on Renntech... if those guys don't know, no one does.

Ucube

OK, I'd say it probably takes you one minute to turn on the ignition, put down whatever you're carrying, get belted in and well situated before driving off. So it takes me another 2 minutes, I'd hardly call that a "waste" of time.

How is driving with a warm motor and a cold transmission and brakes any worse or more unsafe than with a cold motor? Aren't you still warming up the other cold components by driving? Regardless of the warm-up time, none of us hammers the motor until proper operating temp. Is there some mechanical detriment to the components if they're not all warmed up at the same rate and time? From what I understand, the case against idling (for any car) has always been about fuel economy and pollution, not mechanical damage. Are Porsches the exceptions?

rountreed

The reason you do not sit around and warm up your car in Germany is because if you let you engine idle for more than 2 minutes you can get a ticket. Personally I let my car idle for 30 - 60 sec and then keep the rpms below 3000 till she is fully warmed up. Am I correct, probaly not but now you know the German law and my procedure.

42empress

I believe excessive idling at start up leads to some consequence of not having complete combustion of the fuel. This can cause "damage" somehow, but i am by no means the expert. (moisture as well) Just trying to remember why i was told not to do it. My biturbo Audi S4 manual stated that you needed to see the OIL temp move before harder driving. There were times when the engine temp went up pretty quickly but the oil took considerably longer. Why don't we have oil temp gauges?