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Originally posted by IntaCepta.
I even start the engine and go back in my house for 5mins, then go back in the car n drive off, in the wintertime.

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yeah its your auto choke. its normal mate

is it the cold weather thats making my car idle at 1100 or 1200 for a bit then go bak down to the normal 800?

ttt

the life span of most 4 cylinders isnt that high as they need to rev more than a bigger motor thats why you see most smokey cars being 4 pots all later model efi cars are turn key and go and once its worn out you can then hot it up

Most engine wear occurs when cold because the oil is not working efficiently. The quicker the engine warms up, the less the wear. If you drive off straight away using normal acceleration through the gears then the engine will warm more quickly than leaving it running at idle speed. This is the reason behind the recommendation.

Saying that, occasionally running the engine to warm up the car in order to de-mist windows is unlikely to do much harm. I'd rather drive a car that I can see out of than take any risks for the sake of an immeasurable amount of wear.

i wait till the revs drop to the normal idle... thats about 20 seconds.

my car runs pritty cold anyway and the temp guage only ever moves after 15 minutes.

i always let it idle for a minute or two. longer in the winters.
I even start the engine and go back in my house for 5mins, then go back in the car n drive off, in the wintertime.

how can letting u car idle for abit harm ur engine?

I never knew this. I always try and let it idle for a while before driving off. Oops.

I wait till the temp gauge is on the scale then count 5 minutes, and rag it.

The oil temp is usually around 5 minutes behind the coolant temp.

I start it, putt on the stereo face, wipe the windows, then off i go, slow untill the revs drop to normal 800rpm and im gettin some warm air from the fans then i just drive normal.

fair enough. i have only been doing this when its cold like winter time
It was really funny in work cos people had quite strong views about it.
Just wondered what u lot thought

I usually let mine tick over for about a minute or so when I do up my shoe laces and put me bags in the car !

yeah i read this. what do u think though.

The Vauxhall manuals say not too let it idle , but to drive it gently until operating temp.

Just got in from work about half an hour ago.
Just before we were about to close for the night i statred my car and left it running to allow the engine to warm up
This led to a mass discussion with my work mates as to whether it is good for the engine to leave ur car ticking over in cold weather before u drive it
What peeps opinions on this
Cheers:D