warm up question

[MrSmith]

On my other cars I can look at needles to tell me the normal operating temps of the car. In my Lack all I have is a speed o meter gadge. and digital readings for gas mileage and etc. About how long before driving is a good idle time? I hate to get in a just drive, I know I need to let some oil get through the engine. but how long is long enough? whats too long?

[daacon]

I would suggest it is weather dependant. Colder may take longer - but IMHO computer controled , Fuel Injected engines are good to go at the longest 30 seconds.

later...............dy

[carnut]

If this is a fuel injected engine, no need to warm up unless defogging a windshield. If its carberated, then as soon as it runs smoothly, drive it. Please on your next post, list the year of the car, type, and engine size. Might get quicker responses?

[MrSmith]

Sorry. Im use to cars with one model forums Its a 91' Sedan Deville 4.9 . I never had a cadillac before so its all alittle new to me.

[90devilleguy]

i give my 90 caddy about 5-10 minutes weather depending, just until it runs under 1000 rpm(i have a tachometer) then it's good to go.

[Geno Castellano]

The best thing for the car and engine is to start it up and drive it. Idling for warmup is completely unnecessary and just wastes fuel and time. The engine is designed to be operated immediately. It takes about 2 seconds for oil to circulate thru the engine even on the coldest day so that's not an issue. About the only case for waiting to "warm it up" is for the heater to work or the windshield defroster to come up to temp. And even then, the heat and defrost will warm up faster if you drive it.

I'm not condoning jumping in on a cold day, starting the engine and flooring it to 100 miles per hour. Just drive away normally and sanely and the engine and tranny will function fine and warm up best. Idling is absolutely not required. The Northstar engine is actually cold-protected against too high of an RPM as the heavy throttle upshifts will be forced sooner and there is a lower rev limiter on the engine until it warms up sufficiently so you really can't hurt it even if you try. This is a very intelligent system here. The only thing to worry about is the oil pressure cold on high RPM operation. That's why the rev limiter is lowered cold so the oil pump can't overpressurize the system with cold oil.

[MrSmith]

Originally Posted by Geno Castellano

The Northstar engine is actually cold-protected against too high of an RPM as the heavy throttle upshifts will be forced sooner and there is a lower rev limiter on the engine until it warms up sufficiently so you really can't hurt it even if you try. This is a very intelligent system here. The only thing to worry about is the oil pressure cold on high RPM operation. That's why the rev limiter is lowered cold so the oil pump can't overpressurize the system with cold oil.

I have northstar??? I dont think I do. 1991 Sedan Deville 4.9

[Geno Castellano]

Originally Posted by MrSmith

I have northstar??? I dont think I do. 1991 Sedan Deville 4.9

I hear ya. I'm just providing some detail in regards to the engine warm-up as it pertained to the Northstar also. Since this isn't a specific 4.9 forum and the question was somewhat generic in regard to warmup I thought it might help other readers. It's a pretty common question, actually.

[RBraczyk]

5-10 minutes is pretty good.

[viereckc]

I have never warmed up my 89 Coupe before driving unless I had to defrost the windsheild. My car has been in the garage 99% of it's parked life. Always warms up faster by driving it.

[Sandy]

My computer, from the time I push "ON" until it's ripe & ready takes 2 minutes. Since I must wait that 2 minutes, I give my Caddy 3 minutes, since the garage is not heated, as is the house. During that time, I eat Tic-Tacs, dial in the stereo and check the gauges & mirrors, then good to go. Winter? She's never been out of the garage between October & mid-April...

[MrSmith]

sounds good. I think I can stand a few minutes, Im never in that big of a hurry. I feel like, Ill get there when I get there. If Im late, Ill say I got caught behind the school bus.:rolleyes2