I try to let the engine warm when the blue thermostat icon is on when I first start the car. Is it bad to idle then? Or is it just a warning to not put the engine under stress until the light goes away?

 

Yes it's bad to simply let it idle until the blue light goes off. The blue light turns off when the coolant reaches 122 F. It will reach that temp much faster by driving gently rather then by idling. The faster the engine can properly warm up, the better. Even idling for five minutes will have a significant impact on mpg and long engine life. In five minutes, I'm three miles down the road.

 

Good read Pat. I've always just started and by the time I get my seat belt on I'm in gear and driving slow. As for this Crosstrek and the blue coolant light. I'm driving before it goes out. Just don't goose it. The light goes out when the coolant temp gets to 120*F.

 

I remember what the car talk guys said once "The best way to warm up your car is to drive it". The only time I idle is when I need to scrap ice off the car. Ice is much easier to scrap when windshield heats up a little. Even then, I start scrapping other windows first before the front windshield so I am not waiting around. Once I clean off the car, I am off. Sometime the blue icon remain even as I park my car at work:tongue:.

 

Thanks for the link, Pat. Don't be a stranger.

 

Again, thanks for the informative read. I've always followed the "warm it by driving, easy" advice. This will be a great thread to refer folks to when the subject comes up.
We've missed your comments here the past few months. I too hope you won't be a stranger. Good to have you back.

 

good read, thanks.

 

The only engine you need to warm up before jumping in and going WOT is your wife's . Failure to do so will not only void your warranty but it may require you to pay for something you don't own and can't use anymore.

 

Greywolf, funny thing is just yesterday I was thinking how I have not seen you post in quite awhile. Welcome back and it is good to see you sharing your knowledge again.

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Related to this discussion is an advice I heard about buying used limo, taxi, and other service vehicles. Don't buy them because they spend most of their time idling and therefore the mileage on those car are no longer a good indication of actual engine life. Idling adds to engine depreciation without adding the mileage so why bother idling when you can add more happy trips to your car? Same argument applies to idling while waiting for someone. It is not good for your car nor the environment even for a few seconds so just turn it off.

 

Great read, and I don't know what you're all talking about - the internet is the perfect place for information! lol

I've always warmed up for a few seconds after getting into the car, sometimes a little longer in the winter but usually not more than a minute or so. I'm referring to me - I need an extra bit to warm up in the winter!!! As for the car, I usually take a few seconds to get my seatbelt secured, then like to make sure the quick self-check is all GREEN, then I'm on my way.

I remember when it was important to warm up your engine, and then when we got our first vehicle with EFI... Electronic Fuel Injection! That was seriously a very impressive feature when it first came out! Wow!!!

Related to this discussion is an advice I heard about buying used limo, taxi, and other service vehicles. Don't buy them because they spend most of their time idling and therefore the mileage on those car are no longer a good indication of actual engine life.

I'm sure this is very true, though I do know that a lot of taxis are starting to turn off their cars when "idle" due to increasing fuel prices and in some places, idling bylaws.

I have read a few things about this. ... But warming up your car for 10 to 15 minutes can be a bad thing since the rpms aren't as high as when you are driving and the oil won't be flowing as much.

Plus, the vehicle will simply warm up faster with you driving than just sitting there!

Well, I used to always warm up my car in winter but after reading these articles and this thread I just get in and go now.
So, you guys have educated/converted at least one guy.

:thumbs_up: Saving 1 Crosstrek at a time...

 

So does this apply to remote starters too?

 

Yes - remote start and non-remote start engines are the same. Most people I know get remote start to do exactly this, i.e. idle the car so its nice and warm. Something like heated seats to keep you warm before the car warms up would be better for the cars sake.

 

I have read a few things about this. My 2 cents: when it is very cold, I let my car "warm" up for maybe a minute or two just to let the cold oil warm up and circulate. But warming up your car for 10 to 15 minutes can be a bad thing since the rpms aren't as high as when you are driving and the oil won't be flowing as much.

 

One of the many reasons I never buy a used car! I have a neighbors who, every morning during the winter months, let their cars idle for 30-45 minutes. Their cars are kept outside because they would rather use their garage for "stuff". Their kids (one high school age and one who just graduated from college) do the same thing ... because that's what they learned from the parents!

 

Now this seems a little ridiculous. I have remote start for my infant son. We only warm up on cold days for him. I have never imagined letting a car idle for that length of time.

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Usually I'll let the engine idle for maybe 20 seconds or so to get the oil circulating before I set off, that's usually long enough to get my seatbelt
fastened, plug in my iPhone, and set my nav system. You'll warm it up much faster by simply driving it, just do go crazy while it's cold.

 

In very cold weather I let warm up for 2 or 3 minutes, while I test the brakes and listen for any "bad noises." Then I drive easy until the temp's get up to normal.
I really need to get a Scangauge II for this car, I'm kind of disgusted by the lack of useful gauges in this car. Who the heck cares about a danged "mileage" gauge?!

 

I start mine up and while idling, I scrape (when frozen) or squeegee (when above freezing) the side windows before doing the rear and front windows. I do it more to make sure oil is flowing especially when starting and for seconds after ignition hearing the brief and momentary valve rattle before the oil pressure release valve in the oil filter releases oil into the valve train.

In most cases between cleaning windows and finally getting back into the car and getting ready to drive, the blue light disappears anyhow.

However, this car is the quickest car I ever had in the wintertime to warm up to release hot air in the heat ducts and the front defroster. I was thinking about this the other day and wondering if both the 0w-20 full synthetic oil and the aluminum engine block are the core reasons for the speedy warm up . Then again, I am comparing to previously owned vehicles that ran iron engine blocks and 10w-30 Dino / conventional Motor oil.

 

I don't care if it's 90 F or -10 F outside (Chicago sees both extremes and worse). I get in, start the car, put on my seatbelt, flip on the *** warmer, connect my phone, and drive. So maybe 30 sec to 1 min of idling. The *** is the proper term for butt

 

A vehicle and motor and working components under "LOAD" will warm up more bestest.

Just sayin'

 

Don't know about you guys, but I have heated seats for a reason... I walk out in the morning, start it up (with my seat heaters turned on), go back in side, drink my coffee, finish putting my cold weather stuff on, get the pup leashed up, then go and drive to work. This is usually anywhere from 5-10 minutes depending on how distracted I get as I leave... Granted it has been below freezing every day here in Denver at 6am.

 

Consistently, cold start-up, no wait, stick in drive, 2 miles rolling down the road with my Limited w/heated seats and temps controller on automatic I get heat. And no waste of fuel mileage. We've had mornings in the single digits past could weeks.

 

Engine block heaters are less expensive than remote start systems and get the engine warm while being great for your engine. If it's possible to use one where you live, I highly recommend that instead of idling/remote starting.

 

Thinking that blue temp light is there for a reason, if not then why have it at all if your into twist and go. Here in NE Ohio my XV is a winter only vehicle. After startup I watch the RPMs settle down before I launch. I'm more worried over scoured pistons from cold start ups than anything.

 

The blue light is there to tell you that the engine is cold and that you should keep your RPMs lower than 4,000, not that you should idle your car until it's warmed up. If you read the article in the OP, idling is actually worse for oiling because cold gas slips by and removes oil from the cylinder walls. Waiting 5-10 seconds isn't a bad idea, but don't idle for minutes.

 

A lot of mis-information on this topic. Articles cover this every winter and build panic.

The fact many people speed and brake hard but draw the line at warming up the engine is comical.

It comes down to preference. Nothing more.

 

A lot of mis-information on this topic.

*gasp*!

Misleading car information on the internet?? I'm sure that's never happened before.

 

Cold weather car care: Warming engine in the cold - Chicago Tribune

 

That article mentions 0 MPG is achieved when idling. That’s not news. Why don’t they explain that idling at start-up is insignificant compared to the idling done at every stop light, sign, or traffic jam? Idling is unavoidable. At least cold start idles serve a useful purpose for many. A toasty car on a cold day/night has value.

There is a reason "95% of Subaru vehicles sold in the last 10 years are still on the road today." It's not because people refused to idle at startup. It's because these engines are built to last and aren't going to fall apart because of cold start idles.

Drivers should be more concerned with checking their oil regularly, not driving aggressively, and having the proper tires for proper conditions. These articles are designed to draw readers in during seasonal changes.

 

Drivers should be more concerned with checking their oil regularly, not driving aggressively, and having the proper tires for proper conditions. These articles are designed to draw readers in during seasonal changes.

That kinda talk is just communisim pure and ximple

 

^^^ I resemble that remark.