MyaLover

I don't usually let my car idle to warm up (mainly b/c it suggests against it in the manual) but this morning it was -20 F and my car was SO cold it was tough to operate. The cd player or changer wouldn't work at first. And the brakes sensors went off as well. In this case is it better to let it warm up? And what are you risking by letting your car idle aside from gas mileage? Just trying to get a good convo going on a Sunday morning!

A4X4

After pulling out from my garage, about 20 feet under low power, I usually let the car idle until the revs drop to normal, then drive gently until I see the oil temp guage starts to move.

My thinking, is that the short move at first should build up some needed oil pressure in the system.

From work, where I have to park outside (in Madison, Wisconsin) I usually just drive gently until the oil temp moves. My thinking again, is about oil pressure.

I'm just guessing though.

Amos

QuickSilver2

<center><img src="http://austinmini.ositech.net/Moke/NipTucked%20Moke/images/DSC02793.jpg"></center><p>..as soon as it is prudent to drive off I do, again I live in SoCal.

Not related to Audi but I ruined one of my freshly rebuilt Mini engines becasue I religiously warmed up the engine with manual choke in the morning. Becasue I used the choke it allowed extra fuel to get in the engine and wash the bores off of oil and ruined the chamber.

So like I said I am one that goes from my own personal experiences first and foremost and that is my example.

No warms up for me.

Nice *safe* topic BTW.

Kris Hansen

When it's that cold, you MUST let it warm up.. You are not hurting it.

CTMechE

so I let it warm up enough for the idle speed to drop down to my standard 650 rpm or so, which takes a minute or 2.

I've never been in -20ºF, but last year I had -5ºF.

Some people let their cars idle for half an hour until they can get heat out of it, and I think that's something to be avoided. But just waiting a few minutes until the internals of the engine get warm should be fine.

When I drive, I keep the engine below 3k rpm until the coolant temp gets up to normal. It's probably a bit conservative, but I'm not drag racing anyone straight out of the driveway anyways.

CURSH[silverbullet]

because if not, thats a bit lame.

ex-quattro PETE

hopefully you're using synthetic oil too.

SundanceA4

If you ever want to sell that, lemme know....

ModifiedA4

RTFM.

QuickSilver2

..I really appreciate that. If you want one I can help you search but they are a bit of a labour of love though.