Cold Weather Warm up Methods/Procedures

[beyond]

Living in South Central PA, every year I deal with months of warming up engines in freezing temperatures.

Ive always started the "vehicle" (this instance the t4r w/ the 5vz-fe) and let it run until the temp gauge has moved significantly and the idle has settled. THEN, I take off.

Ive been told that engines warm up BETTER under mild load, ie driving conservatively.

-Is this True?

-How do you warm up your 4runner Or whatever else?

The Major Question:
-Is there a common procedure in which the 5vz-fe should be warmed up???

Obligatory picture



The 4runner with my '73 2002


thanks and cheers

-Collin

 

[SilverRidgeRunner1]

I've been wondering about this myself because it was -9 degree here and I was like goodness. My normal warm up with temp being at 35 is let the engine run for about 3 min and then I am on my way .

 

[csp]

Let it sit and run just long enough for the oil to circulate around the engine. Thirty seconds to a minute is long enough.
Then drive it taking it easy for a mile or two.

At -16° a couple of weeks ago my water temperature was up to 130 in less than two miles from my home, and I go downhill for most of those two miles.

 

[beyond]

Thanks for the replies

Bump for more input

 

[19963.4lsr5]

I live in western Berks county. Neighbor........I start engine let it run 2-5 min then start driving on all gasser's I own. My 94 Cummins is a different story......

 

[T4R2014]

On a really cold morning I will start the vehicle well-ahead of time before departing and let it completely warm up. I realize that it may be wasting fuel, but there is no way I am getting into a stone cold vehicle when it is 20 degrees out. I let the interior, seats, and defrosters heat up beforehand.

If I need to leave quick, my bare minimum is to let it run for at least 30 seconds to let oil circulate. Even then I will be driving like a granny for the first five minutes. Even if the engine is fully warmed, the transmission and/or gear oil is not.

Just something I noticed. If the stock transmission cooler is part of the radiator, then doesn't it mean that letting the vehicle sit to warm up essentially warms up the ATF in the process?

 

[Drcoffee]

I let it run long enough to clear the fog from inside the windshield. 2-3 minutes is enough to circulate the oil. Then easy on the go pedal until the temp is near the op temp on the gauge.

 

[shootmymime]

Just something I noticed. If the stock transmission cooler is part of the radiator, then doesn't it mean that letting the vehicle sit to warm up essentially warms up the ATF in the process?

yes you are correct. that is why i have not done an external cooler. being here in idaho it frequently gets to -30 to sometimes high of 0 and my motor will hardly reach full temp (190 ish) when its that cold even with blocking off the radiator to limit air flow. its just so cold. plus then my heater turns into my radiator. hehe. so yes the coolant warms then cools the trans fluid.

 

[19963.4lsr5]

I don't think the a340/AW4 circulated oil in park...........

Someone that's done the bucket Trans flush can chime in. It it fills the bucket in park than it will warm up the trans too.

For my Cummins I set the Ebrake and put in reverse to warm up trans and engine faster.

 

[02SE]

I start it up, and let it run for an hour, just to make sure it's fully warmed up before I drive a mile down the road. Same thing on the way home..


On an unrelated note, I'm only getting 2 mpg, and can't figure out why. I drive very easy. Is something wrong with my 4Runner?

 

[Supermoney]

30 seconds to a minute is plenty, but then drive it easy until its up to temp. Won't hurt it to idle for 5 minutes to get it warm inside though either.

 

[shootmymime]

I start it up, and let it run for an hour, just to make sure it's fully warmed up before I drive a mile down the road. Same thing on the way home..

On an unrelated note, I'm only getting 2 mpg, and can't figure out why. I drive very easy. Is something wrong with my 4Runner?

yeah i sold my pickup and a guy asked what is the gas millage. hell if i know, its winter time its inaccurate as all get out. i didnt own it long enough to get an accurate measurement.

 

[hounddogman]

I start it up as soon I'm ready to go and then wait for my wife, if it hasn't run out of fuel by the time she's ready than we go and I drive like mad.:lookout:

 

[Okiyota]

I always cringe a little when i hear someone go jump in their truck, start it up and the thing is in gear and they are pulling away before they've even let go of the key lol. I always let it run for a minute or so in the summer and if possible a few minutes in the winter before driving away.

 

[flatboy]

I let her run for about 8-10 minutes, been doing this to my vehicles for 25 years( winter)

 

[LittleCaesar]

Turn the key and go, or that is how most of the women I have dated let their car warm up in the cold. As my sis pointed out though, once kids are in the picture then the automobile gets warmed up aplenty as everyone gets seated, etc. Also one co worker told me she checks texts after starting up and before driving in the AM.

For me it is when the 4runner begins to idle down and/or the coolant temp reaches 75F.

 

[thebrandon]

I don't think the a340/AW4 circulated oil in park...........

Someone that's done the bucket Trans flush can chime in. It it fills the bucket in park than it will warm up the trans too.

For my Cummins I set the Ebrake and put in reverse to warm up trans and engine faster.

Our auto trannys do circulate fluid while in park, so the tranny fluid should warm up as well.

I live in AZ so I had some intense 75 degree weather to deal with today when "warming" up. Summer time is even better because everything is warm always and never cools off. Ever.

 

[RussToy]

I let mine run for 30 seconds or so inside my heated garage...which, it usually stays between 60*-70* during the wintertime! As those 30 seconds are ticking by...I'm hitting the garage door button that starts opening the door...and a way we go!!

It's nice when you pull in...when you get home. I open the garage door and I back in. Once I'm parked...I'll close the garage door. So just as the door closes...I'll shut the engine off. That way you don't have to deal with any of the cold windy weather!! Although, it does take 30-45 mins to get the garage all warmed all the back up again!

 

[Robb235]

I let mine run for 30 seconds or so inside my heated garage...which, it usually stays between 60*-70* during the wintertime! As those 30 seconds are ticking by...I'm hitting the garage door button that starts opening the door...and a way we go!!



It's nice when you pull in...when you get home. I open the garage door and I back in. Once I'm parked...I'll close the garage door. So just as the door closes...I'll shut the engine off. That way you don't have to deal with any of the cold windy weather!! Although, it does take 30-45 mins to get the garage all warmed all the back up again!

Running a vehicle in a closed garage? Be careful of carbon monoxide poisoning. I know you say it's only for 30 seconds, but still...

 

[xcmtb83]

When temps are below 40F or so I usually hit the remote start a few minutes before leaving. I figure it can't hurt anything and the transmission shifts so much nicer when it is warm. I as well have opted to not bypass the stock transmission cooler but instead bought a new KOYO rad for piece of mind against the dreaded SMS. I prefer to warm the trans fluid quicker and not have the drastic temp swings that come with an air heat transfer only set-up vs. the fluid heat transfer of the stock set-up.