How long do you let your Camaro warm up before taking off?

[thkfast]

I read an article once that said the best way to warm up a car is to drive it, not sit and idle. My car sits in a heated garage, but generally once I settle in the seat and belt up, I start driving. I take it easy until I know I've built up some heat in the motor. Then whatever.

[two_wheel_mayhem]

MY SS doesn't start rolling until the temp is at least 115 degrees. And then it still doesn't have perfect driveability until it's gets to 160 or so. I have heard other V8 owners make this same observation, some mild surging and sluggish throttle response at low RPMs.


When I had my 2LT you could just get in it and go, ran the same cold or hot.

[6bangerBOOM]

I just wait until the RPM's drop off. I never get wild with it though until my coolant temp is at 180.

[krisprz2010camaross]

I turn it on and mean while I put my seatbelt on set the ac(if cold/hot) and radio/ipod and let it idle for like 30secs -1min and then I roll out!

[NC_SS]

Depends on the conditions, but I let her warm up for about 10 minutes or so

[TheSmokingSuns]

I just remote start it a couple minutes before heading out the door.

[t&t moyer]

Initial start of the day or if it's been setting any amount of time where the temp is ambient, I'll let it set and idle a few minutes as it's pretty cold blooded with the current tune.

[Tpimike]

I worked with a guy that would let his cars run for a couple of minutes or so. He said it was better long term for the engine. Funny thing is he got tired of his cars really quick and was driving something different every 6-12 months.

[Backspin9]

With the car being brand new and the temperatures below zero I've let it warm up a little longer than I usually do, maybe 5 minutes or so in the morning via the remote start.

[MLAZ1990]

When it's cold I let it warm up until my coolant temp is above 150°! In the Summer it's like 30 seconds to a minute...

[Red2014SS]

You gotta remember that there is more to a car than the engine. The transmission, rear end, wheel bearings all need to be warmed up and the only way is by driving it.
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That said, if it's really cold, I remote start and she idles for a good 5-8 minutes before I get in. In decent weather, I let start it and wait until the rpms drop before putting it in gear. No matter what the weather is, I take it real easy until the temp comes up to normal.

[Ernest T]

No Camaro, but I start the Corvette, let the idle stabilize and back out of the garage. I have a 200' long drive way so I let it idle to the end then ease out onto the road. I do take it pretty easy until the temp gauge comes close to operating temp. Our garage is heated so even if the temp is below freezing its around 60 in the garage.

[PalmerGA]

However long it takes to get my golf shoes and six-pack sized ice chest of beer in the trunk. (Clubs stay in there)

[gajagfan]

Originally Posted by mikeSS

i start it up and drive lol.... i drive it soft when warming up.. its not going to hurt anything

Your actually helping the engine and other parts out a lot. The wear in lubricated parts is most prevalent when the fluids are not up to operating temperatures, whether at idle or under a light load. The fluids warm up much sooner under a light load than they ever will at idle, so less wear occurs if yo get in the vehicle, put it in gear, and drive it easy at a low RPM. Don't drive aggressively, but at a moderate RPM and speed. Warming up a car is a waste of fuel and most likely doing more harm than good.