Pre-heating Car.....

[Slimy]

The operating manuals for all three of our vehicles (Seat, Nissan and Yamaha) all say drive as soon as possible after the car is started, do not allow it to warm up while stationary.

Of course, when its frosty it's normally dangerous to drive straight after starting, as I'm still chipping away at the ice! The bike is also quite difficult to ride with full choke on (still runs carbs), so I try and give that at least five minutes while I put my helmet and gloves on.

You could always use the finnish method of preheating. They have an electrical connection running from a power socket to the car, that powers a water heater. So the car can warm up without having it's engine running. I've no idea how it could be set up though, although I did see a couple of SEAT's and VW's out there, all plugged in.

 

[jamiebennett81]

it also voids your insurance I believe, or at least that is what I have been told

 

[beezertart]

Is that for real? What a stupid law!

i had a letter from envioronmental health for doing this as my tossy ex neighbours reported me, i never bothered locking it though as used to put my German Shepherd in it best theft deterrent is a car possessive one of those!! was a crap car anyway...

Tony has no need to worry cos he can sit in his and finish his make up whilst it warms up

 

[Swig]

Some stuff about engine block heaters here:
http://www.metrompg.com/posts/block-heater.htm

(And some stuff about the prius which allegedly has a "thermos" to store hot coolant for faster warm up on the next journey)

 

[LEE69]

Thank you Andy! I think you're probably the first person to agree with me

I agree with you aswell.
Soon as it's started I'm off

 

[BoomhaueR]

I too agree but it's easier said than done on a frosty/snowy morning. You can spend 20mins hacking ice off the outside, but then as soon as you get it you have to wait at least a few minutes for the windows to demist before you can actually see where you're going.

Otherwise I drive the car within 30secs of switching the engine on.

 

[jamiebennett81]

i had a letter from envioronmental health for doing this as my tossy ex neighbours reported me, i never bothered locking it though as used to put my German Shepherd in it best theft deterrent is a car possessive one of those!! was a crap car anyway...

Tony has no need to worry cos he can sit in his and finish his make up whilst it warms up

oh dear, you want to start on me do you

I may apply make up, but at least I dont use a trowel to put mine on

 

[GlanzaV]

You could always use the finnish method of preheating. They have an electrical connection running from a power socket to the car, that powers a water heater. So the car can warm up without having it's engine running. I've no idea how it could be set up though, although I did see a couple of SEAT's and VW's out there, all plugged in.

My Bro's S13 (J Plate!) had a cabin pre-heater... but it worked off petrol somehow I'm sure?!

 

[LEE69]

I too agree but it's easier said than done on a frosty/snowy morning. You can spend 20mins hacking ice off the outside, but then as soon as you get it you have to wait at least a few minutes for the windows to demist before you can actually see where you're going.

Otherwise I drive the car within 30secs of switching the engine on.

I don't get that, i use water (at room temp) and that is enough to de-ice the car i get in and then drive.

 

[Andy3004]

I don't get that, i use water (at room temp) and that is enough to de-ice the car i get in and then drive.

I do that too, works a treat!

No warmer than room temp though as you say otherwise glass might crack!

 

[LEE69]

Yeah beats me why people still use de-icer.

 

[Andy3004]

Yeah beats me why people still use de-icer.

if nothing else I don't like the idea of spraying chemical on the car! Water is far better!

 

[adam cupra 20vt]

I also read about warming it up by gentle driving rather than letting it idle, anyone know why this is?

 

[LEE69]

More than likely to warm up quicker "under load" than sat there on tick over.

 

[h7 cya]

Yes i too read that by driving the car rather than letting it idle, the engine will get warmer quicker therefore the turbo will too. prolonging the life of it.

 

[BoomhaueR]

Yeah beats me why people still use de-icer.

When it's really cold like last night (I live in a deep valley where all the cold air sinks) within seconds of pouring room temp water over your car it refreezes even thicker!

So sometimes it's necessary.

I also read about warming it up by gentle driving rather than letting it idle, anyone know why this is?

I think idling takes a lot longer for the oil to warm up, so it's more viscous for longer, so straining moving parts for longer. That's how I see it anyway.

 

[LEE69]

Furry **** mate, I'm by the coast

 

[AntneeUK]

When it's really cold like last night (I live in a deep valley where all the cold air sinks) within seconds of pouring room temp water over your car it refreezes even thicker!

So sometimes it's necessary.

Agreed!

Also, the warming up thing: Most oils don't do anything positive until they're over 60°c, so the longer you leave the car under that, the more damage you're doing. Get it up to temperature quicker but without booting it and the theory is that you're much better off

 

[OFI]

Agreed!

Also, the warming up thing: Most oils don't do anything positive until they're over 60°c, so the longer you leave the car under that, the more damage you're doing. Get it up to temperature quicker but without booting it and the theory is that you're much better off

But 60°c is nothing, surely it reaches that in moments? Just rubbing your hands together for a couple of seconds probably generates 25°c. So a cold engine starting at 1000-1100RPM I can't imagine would take long to get to 60°c.

Suppose someone with a more accurate aux temp gauge could confirm this

 

[markmeus]

When it's really cold like last night (I live in a deep valley where all the cold air sinks) within seconds of pouring room temp water over your car it refreezes even thicker!

So sometimes it's necessary.

I pour the water over the window and then turn on the wipers, that gets rid of the excess water and ice and i find it's not as likely to refreeze, works for me, but its probably not great for the wiper blades.