Do you warm up your modern-day BMW before driving off?

boonkgang13k · 01-19-2019, 03:00 PM

The owner manual says there’s no need to let it idle for a minute - just drive away at low RPM. But there's a lot of people who say that warming up the car first is better.

What are your thoughts?

PshhhhhMW · 01-19-2019, 03:03 PM

Personally I just let it get to idle after a minute then go.

HighlandPete · 01-19-2019, 03:12 PM

Recent topic on engine warm up.

https://x3.xbimmers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1572724

Clark_Kent · 01-19-2019, 03:16 PM

I start the car and drive. However, I take it easy until the car reaches normal operating temp before I push it.

AnOldBiker · 01-19-2019, 03:19 PM

As I mention before, I let it idle roughly a minute to circulate the oil and drive easy the 1st few miles. Then go for it.

Soterios · 01-19-2019, 03:24 PM

No need to let the car sit and idle. It's just a waste of gas.

Dackelone · 01-19-2019, 04:01 PM

I would warm your car up. Especially in very cold temps. Don't listen to the Interwebs... warm up your car!

Soterios · 01-19-2019, 04:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dackelone

I would warm your car up. Especially in very cold temps. Don't listen to the Interwebs... warm up your car!

I think 'warm up' going from 75* to 240*

and 'warm up' going from 10* to 240*

are pretty different scenarios.

If it's 10*, I might warm up the car for my own sake, but if it's 60* out, I'm going to let it warm up on the road.

Dog Face Pony Soldier · 01-19-2019, 05:38 PM

I turn it over as soon as I get in. If it's cold I hit the seat heat with my pinkie at the same time I activate the starter. Then I let her idle while I put my belt on, turn on the audio system, set the navigation (if appropriate) and get my phones set up. After this all is done I drive away.

Answer is "yes" but not intentionally. It's a byproduct of getting setup to drive.

DanG · 01-19-2019, 05:40 PM

I never warm up my cars. Just start and go. I don’t push it though until it warms up.

Joe240 · 01-19-2019, 05:42 PM

I wait for the cold start to idle down then drive off. While I wait that 15-20 seconds, I buckle, put spotify on, and mount my phone in the holder. Then I drive off. But as others mentioned in the other post, the engine warms up quicker by driving. Also like they mentioned, not recommended to go ham from the get go. Cold cylinder/heads/gaskets aren't as strong to 16psi as they are when warm. Remember, cold things are brittle.

MJBO · 01-19-2019, 06:04 PM

Basically I start and drive away.

I start my car, plug my phone in, put my keys/wallet in their respective places, then drive off. My park is three stories up and by the time I get to the swipe sensor to open the gate cold start has finished.

Accelerate pretty gentily until oil temp is at normal then enjoy a few higher revs.

If the temps were crazy cold like in some places in the world? I’d probably give it more time before setting off, but “cold” here in Melbourne is like 10C (50F), so no need.

greasypeanut · 01-19-2019, 06:43 PM

I don't have any say in the matter. So Cal traffic keeps me under 30mph.

dsad1 · 01-19-2019, 07:19 PM

These days you let it idle for a bit to warm the software up...

orangeglim · 01-19-2019, 07:29 PM

I typically wait for the initial cold start revs to lower back down to normal idle (~30seconds? I dunno, I've never timed it), then I put it in gear and get moving. I keep mine in the garage pretty much year round and it never gets below 50F in there during the winter, no matter how cold outside it is.

tuco44 · 01-19-2019, 07:31 PM

Once the idle speed drops after a cold start (usually about 20 secs or so), I drive away, albeit slowly at first.

ItsGary · 01-19-2019, 07:38 PM

I let the coldstart cycle on my car finish then drive off. Some days the coldstart cycle is longer than others

dzvero · 01-19-2019, 08:03 PM

No, its stupid waste of gas, engine life and pollution.

F87source · 01-19-2019, 08:51 PM

I start it and let it idle for a minute and a half to let oil circulate and lubricate everything and allow the secondary air pumps to shut off and revs stabilize. Then I reverse the car out of the garage and let it idle for another 3-5 mins before I drive, and I wouldn't push the car hard till the oils temps and water temps hit 90°C (middle of the m2's tenp gauge).

irishbimmer · 01-19-2019, 09:14 PM

Always let the cold start function end, then keep the revs low for the first 5 minutes or so while the oil warms up. Seems like common sense.

jimbobiggens · 01-19-2019, 09:47 PM

I push Start, Reverse, and the gas pedal to the floor all in one smooth motion.

omera60 · 01-20-2019, 02:42 AM

I also don’t, I only wait for the revs to go done which is 30sec and then drive off. The main idea of setting off after the revs go down is to let all of the driving components such as the transmission, differential, brakes etc. to warm up together with the engine itself. If you warm up while idling the engine will be ready to give out what it has but other components are simply not ready to handle the load. Also bear in mind that a proper warm up of the transmission is at least 20-25km of driving as the transmission fluid is very hard to heat up and cool down. If you start putting pedal to the metal before that I can guarantee that it will give you headache on the longer run.

01-19-2019, 03:00 PM	#1
boonkgang13k Private 73 Rep 60 Posts Drives: 530e Join Date: Jun 2018 Location: LA iTrader: (0)	Do you warm up your modern-day BMW before driving off? The owner manual says there’s no need to let it idle for a minute - just drive away at low RPM. But there's a lot of people who say that warming up the car first is better. What are your thoughts?
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01-19-2019, 03:03 PM	#2
PshhhhhMW Major 557 Rep 1,028 Posts Drives: 2021 Alpine White M550i Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: SFV, CA iTrader: (0)	Personally I just let it get to idle after a minute then go.
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01-19-2019, 03:12 PM	#3
HighlandPete Lieutenant General 6570 Rep 15,857 Posts Drives: BMW F11 535i Touring Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Scotland, Highland Region iTrader: (0)	Recent topic on engine warm up. https://x3.xbimmers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1572724
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01-19-2019, 03:16 PM	#4
Clark_Kent Lieutenant Colonel 2331 Rep 1,924 Posts Drives: Retired Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: Atlanta, GA iTrader: (0)	I start the car and drive. However, I take it easy until the car reaches normal operating temp before I push it.
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01-19-2019, 03:19 PM	#5
AnOldBiker Jim 271 Rep 156 Posts Drives: 2019 X5 XDrive 40i Join Date: Sep 2018 Location: Land of Retirement iTrader: (0)	As I mention before, I let it idle roughly a minute to circulate the oil and drive easy the 1st few miles. Then go for it.
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01-19-2019, 03:24 PM	#6
Soterios BXR 572 Rep 636 Posts Drives: 2012 135i Join Date: Jun 2018 Location: Missouri iTrader: (0)	No need to let the car sit and idle. It's just a waste of gas. __________________ 2012 135i M Sport Alpine White
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01-19-2019, 04:01 PM	#7
Dackelone European Editor 10944 Rep 22,992 Posts Drives: N54 e82 Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Bayern, Germany iTrader: (1)	I would warm your car up. Especially in very cold temps. Don't listen to the Interwebs... warm up your car! __________________ Dackel's European Delivery Museum Guide
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01-19-2019, 05:38 PM	#9
Dog Face Pony Soldier 2006 TIME Person Of The Year 9665 Rep 6,443 Posts Drives: M Sport 335i Join Date: May 2013 Location: North Jersey iTrader: (0) Garage List 2014 335i [9.74]	I turn it over as soon as I get in. If it's cold I hit the seat heat with my pinkie at the same time I activate the starter. Then I let her idle while I put my belt on, turn on the audio system, set the navigation (if appropriate) and get my phones set up. After this all is done I drive away. Answer is "yes" but not intentionally. It's a byproduct of getting setup to drive. __________________
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01-19-2019, 05:40 PM	#10
DanG Major General 11780 Rep 7,261 Posts Drives: 2018 M2 AW DCT Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Seattle, WA iTrader: (1) Garage List 2018 BMW M2 [8.01]	I never warm up my cars. Just start and go. I don’t push it though until it warms up.
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01-19-2019, 05:42 PM	#11
Joe240 Major 2936 Rep 1,304 Posts Drives: 2021 C8 Corvette 1LT Join Date: Jul 2016 Location: Pensacola iTrader: (0) Garage List 2020 GMC Sierra AT4 [0.00] 2019 BMW X3 M40i [0.00]	I wait for the cold start to idle down then drive off. While I wait that 15-20 seconds, I buckle, put spotify on, and mount my phone in the holder. Then I drive off. But as others mentioned in the other post, the engine warms up quicker by driving. Also like they mentioned, not recommended to go ham from the get go. Cold cylinder/heads/gaskets aren't as strong to 16psi as they are when warm. Remember, cold things are brittle.
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01-19-2019, 06:04 PM	#12
MJBO Colonel 4365 Rep 2,001 Posts Drives: 2023 G81 M3 Touring Join Date: May 2012 Location: Melbourne, Australia iTrader: (0) Garage List 23 BMW M3 Touring [10.00] 24 BMW M4 6sp [10.00] 08 AM V8 Vantage Ro ... [10.00] 22 Toyota LC 300 [10.00]	Basically I start and drive away. I start my car, plug my phone in, put my keys/wallet in their respective places, then drive off. My park is three stories up and by the time I get to the swipe sensor to open the gate cold start has finished. Accelerate pretty gentily until oil temp is at normal then enjoy a few higher revs. If the temps were crazy cold like in some places in the world? I’d probably give it more time before setting off, but “cold” here in Melbourne is like 10C (50F), so no need.
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01-19-2019, 06:43 PM	#13
greasypeanut Second Lieutenant 231 Rep 254 Posts Drives: F87 Join Date: Dec 2016 Location: 949 iTrader: (0)	I don't have any say in the matter. So Cal traffic keeps me under 30mph.
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01-19-2019, 07:19 PM	#14
dsad1 Colonel 1222 Rep 2,404 Posts Drives: car Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: United States iTrader: (0)	These days you let it idle for a bit to warm the software up...
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01-19-2019, 07:29 PM	#15
orangeglim Lieutenant 349 Rep 443 Posts Drives: 2019 M2C Join Date: May 2016 Location: NC iTrader: (0) Garage List 2019 M2C [0.00]	I typically wait for the initial cold start revs to lower back down to normal idle (~30seconds? I dunno, I've never timed it), then I put it in gear and get moving. I keep mine in the garage pretty much year round and it never gets below 50F in there during the winter, no matter how cold outside it is.
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01-19-2019, 07:31 PM	#16
tuco44 Colonel 648 Rep 2,292 Posts Drives: 2018 340i xDrive M Perf Edtn Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Western Canada iTrader: (0)	Once the idle speed drops after a cold start (usually about 20 secs or so), I drive away, albeit slowly at first. __________________ 2018 340i xDrive M Perf Edtn Sunset Orange Previous BMWs - 19 others since 1971.
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01-19-2019, 07:38 PM	#17
ItsGary Colonel 1467 Rep 2,338 Posts Drives: 2009 E90 M3 Join Date: Oct 2017 Location: Vancouver iTrader: (0)	I let the coldstart cycle on my car finish then drive off. Some days the coldstart cycle is longer than others __________________ '09 ///M3 Sedan - Jerez Black/Fox Red Ext. '09 335i Coupe - Alpine White/Black - SOLD
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01-19-2019, 08:03 PM	#18
dzvero Lieutenant Colonel 551 Rep 1,515 Posts Drives: 2015 M$4 F82 Join Date: Dec 2015 Location: CA iTrader: (3)	No, its stupid waste of gas, engine life and pollution.
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01-19-2019, 08:51 PM	#19
F87source Major General 8263 Rep 8,263 Posts Drives: Bmw M2 Join Date: Aug 2018 Location: . iTrader: (1)	I start it and let it idle for a minute and a half to let oil circulate and lubricate everything and allow the secondary air pumps to shut off and revs stabilize. Then I reverse the car out of the garage and let it idle for another 3-5 mins before I drive, and I wouldn't push the car hard till the oils temps and water temps hit 90°C (middle of the m2's tenp gauge). __________________ Click on the link below to see a compiled list of every review I have ever written: https://f87.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=2038326
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01-19-2019, 09:14 PM	#20
irishbimmer Banned 1136 Rep 1,561 Posts Drives: Silverstone M6 CP, Bulldozer, Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Orange County, CA iTrader: (0)	Always let the cold start function end, then keep the revs low for the first 5 minutes or so while the oil warms up. Seems like common sense.
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01-19-2019, 09:47 PM	#21
jimbobiggens Lieutenant 837 Rep 440 Posts Drives: 2013 335i xDrive Join Date: Nov 2018 Location: jackson tn iTrader: (0) Garage List 2013 335i xDrive [0.00]	I push Start, Reverse, and the gas pedal to the floor all in one smooth motion. __________________ I'm not completely useless, I can be used as a bad example.
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01-20-2019, 02:42 AM	#22
omera60 First Lieutenant 223 Rep 369 Posts Drives: 218i Coupe Join Date: Mar 2017 Location: Istanbul iTrader: (0) Garage List 2016 BMW 218i Coupe [8.17] 2006 BMW Z4 M Coupe [9.00] 1975 BMW 2002 [5.50] 1985 BMW 635 CSi [5.00] 1974 BMW Alpina A2 ... [10.00] 2000 BMW Z3 Coupe [8.83] 1990 BMW 316i [8.00] 1993 BMW 850Ci [8.33] 2020 BMW X2 [5.25] 1994 BMW 318i [0.00] 2018 BMW X3 [0.00]	I also don’t, I only wait for the revs to go done which is 30sec and then drive off. The main idea of setting off after the revs go down is to let all of the driving components such as the transmission, differential, brakes etc. to warm up together with the engine itself. If you warm up while idling the engine will be ready to give out what it has but other components are simply not ready to handle the load. Also bear in mind that a proper warm up of the transmission is at least 20-25km of driving as the transmission fluid is very hard to heat up and cool down. If you start putting pedal to the metal before that I can guarantee that it will give you headache on the longer run.
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