Warming up E46 M3
Discussion
Can anyone settle a bit of a debate for me.
I have always been slighly paranoid about warming up my car as it's sometimes only used for short journeys.
As I get ready to leave in the morning I'll start my car 5/10 mins before I'm out the door, this way when I am ready to drive the water temp is up and oil temp is geting there. Still obviously drive under 3/3500 rpm until oil is warmed up then give it some legs.
My pal says he heard this is bad for the car and it is better to warm up by driving carefully.
My arguement is that if I have to take it to drive to the station it sometimes isn't fully warm by the time I get there.
I know I shouldn't use for short journeys but soemtimes needs must....
I have always been slighly paranoid about warming up my car as it's sometimes only used for short journeys.
As I get ready to leave in the morning I'll start my car 5/10 mins before I'm out the door, this way when I am ready to drive the water temp is up and oil temp is geting there. Still obviously drive under 3/3500 rpm until oil is warmed up then give it some legs.
My pal says he heard this is bad for the car and it is better to warm up by driving carefully.
My arguement is that if I have to take it to drive to the station it sometimes isn't fully warm by the time I get there.
I know I shouldn't use for short journeys but soemtimes needs must....
I presume you leave it idling to warm up? Unfortunately the oil pressure is at its lowest then so increasing wear! I start and drive off gently limiting 2-3000rpm until warm which can be when I get to work. I never thrash a cold engine! I do take the long way home (NSL lanes) sometimes though!
Rags said:
Another thing, leaving your car running unattended is a theft waiting to happen!
My thoughts exactly. The best thing to do is just short shift and drive 'economically' for a few miles, that way the engine components aren't stressed but it gives the engine time to warm up too. Too many people talk of the M3 as though it is some mega supercars that needs mollycoddling. It doesn't, it's a high performance engine that is designed to be reliable for upwards of 200,000 miles, not a drive-once-a-week Lambroghini. 
Cheers chaps - look like I'm the loser on this one.
Car runs in the garage, so they would have to break down the door to get it out!
Even when it's warm I don't rag it until oil temp is right up and there's a few miles under the belt. Looks like I'll leave 5 mins earlier and take the scenic route in the morning
Car runs in the garage, so they would have to break down the door to get it out!
Even when it's warm I don't rag it until oil temp is right up and there's a few miles under the belt. Looks like I'll leave 5 mins earlier and take the scenic route in the morning
I wouldn't worry too much about the short drive to the station every day. Start it, drive off and be gentle with it. ///M engines like revs, so give it a bit of a thrashing at weekends to keep eveything operating as it should, just don't only do short trips in it.
Station and back during the week, thrash it at least once during the weekend and it'll be fine
Station and back during the week, thrash it at least once during the weekend and it'll be fine
The system of orange lights round the rev counter seems to encourage you to use more revs sooner than I would without such a system. Does anyone believe it can be harmful to use the revs so long as you stay below the temp orange line? Personally, I think BMW must have set the lights at a level which avoids damage - though I normally stay well below the lights.
waremark said:
The system of orange lights round the rev counter seems to encourage you to use more revs sooner than I would without such a system. Does anyone believe it can be harmful to use the revs so long as you stay below the temp orange line? Personally, I think BMW must have set the lights at a level which avoids damage - though I normally stay well below the lights.
its always better to stay abot 1500 away from the nearest one until fully warmed i find-they really are giving you a max limit incase you came in to a situation where you had to rev the thing regardless.BMW have always stated though to 'drive off quickly' after start up,staying in higher gears at low speeds will get it warmer quicker than leaving it to idle-thats also really bad for the cats and 02 sensors ect.
Chessers said:
Cheers chaps - look like I'm the loser on this one.
Car runs in the garage, so they would have to break down the door to get it out!
Even when it's warm I don't rag it until oil temp is right up and there's a few miles under the belt. Looks like I'll leave 5 mins earlier and take the scenic route in the morning
be careful not to gas yourself, im seriousCar runs in the garage, so they would have to break down the door to get it out!
Even when it's warm I don't rag it until oil temp is right up and there's a few miles under the belt. Looks like I'll leave 5 mins earlier and take the scenic route in the morning
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