How long do you let your car idle?

[jayupark]

It's gotten cold again in NYC... I've heard alot of differing opinions on how long you should let your car idle, but was wondering how long y'all let your cars idle?

When it's cold outside (below 40F or 5C) how long do you let your car idle?

1. What's idling? I just get in, turn the key and go go go!
2. Just a few seconds, then go.
3. Not much idling, but I don't drive hard until the engine is warm
4. Over a few seconds, but under 30 secs
5. 30 secs to 1 min
6. 1 min to 2 mins
7. 2 mins to 5 mins
8. I turn the car on, go take a shower, check my email, post on elantraxd.com, watch cartoons, eat breakfast, kiss my spouse, spank my kid, then get in and go.

*Whoops, this posted twice for some reason... please do the poll in the other post. Admin, please remove?*

[BlueRush]

I usually hit the car starter when I'm getting ready to brush my teeth. That way by the time I'm done, and I get my jacket and hat on, the car's nice and warm. Usually 5-10 minutes depending on the temperature and if I've driven it lately.

[ghrpdx]

I start my car, make sure all the indicator/idiot lights go out and hit reverse and go no matter what the weather is.

[WytchDctr]

I wait for mine to come down to 1k rpm on its warm up cycle thing it does then I move it.

[TheKoreanSaab]

I usually start the car with the garage door closed and sit in it. When I start to fade to black do to the carbon minoxide that usually tells me its warm then I am ready to go.

[DJ Hellfire]

10-20 minutes

[chillbro1]

Well I don't really drive my ELA in the winter...but, when I do drive it...I let the idle come back down to 1k and then I am usually all up on the throttle from that point on...LOL.

Funny thing about Hyundais is...the harder you drive em...the better they drive....less check engine lights, misfires and all that jazz...

Just maintain them....


Peace,

[a0z]

idling for such a long time isnt great as it can cause sludge buildup and what not, all you really need is 20 seconds to idle :) yes its cold but its healthier that way, if you plan on having it idle that long you should really be holding the pedal to about 2-3k to keep it running healthy.

[Munky]

I start my car and get breakfast, check out the window every now and then until the ice is beginning to melt from the window, then I go. I can't drive when I'm freezing my nuts off.

[Mobius1]

Start the car, turn the front and rear defroster on, turn the heated seat on (yes one seat is heated, took each unit and put them in one seat so my back and butt get warm) and from there let it sit for no more than 10 mins and away I go all nice and warm!

[ricerrx7]

Start it up and drive. Just don't accelerate hard until it's warmed up.

[Ugzz]

i fire up the car, blast the heat, kick on defrosters. then get out and clean off the car and by the time i get in its usually just starting to warm up. then i go.. if there is no snow i just turn the key, idle for like 10-15 sec while i get situated and go

[WytchDctr]

Does anyone else realize how mean to our cars we are?!? In the winter when the car wants a little more heat we steal it with the heater, acting as an extra heat exchanger. Then in the summer we blast the a/c and add extra strain on the motor when it doesn't need it. ;)

[Mobius1]

A/C? People actually use that? I think i've only used it 3 times in the whole 2 years i've owned the car. :)

[CornbreadXD]

same hear the A/C is worthless for me, I let mine idle till the rpms come down and usually don't turn the heat on till the thermos needle is in the middle but on my way to work I hardly ever get to that point (13 minute drive)

[Vampyrate]

when it warms up, im taking the AC out of my car and using that to help with weight reduction... i drive with the windows at least cracked a little if its raining when warm

[WytchDctr]

lol.. the funny thing is I'm the same way and live near the coast. I was just speaking in general terms, heh.

[Ugzz]

i hate pgh for the weather, we get single digits in winter, but 90s in summer. so i use both the ac and heat like mad.

ive dealt without ac on a number of my previous cars, but its a luxury i would rather have then not. Esp for road trips. i hate going over 100 miles with no ac, i get out and my back is soaked.. yech

[OPZ]

Windows down man! Nothing like doing 80 down 79 with all 4 windows down, jammin!


I can't wait for summer. Screw you smithfield street bride!