Engine Warm Up

[JRNY13]

Every now and then I read about how it's best to let an older engine warm up before putting it under load. Is this good advice? I've also heard that the best way to warm up an engine is to drive it. What do people here like to do with their D's?

[Patrick C]

Let it idle for 5 minutes then drive away. Let the oil warm up and thin out to get into all of the passages before driving it.

[David T]

Let it idle for 5 minutes then drive away. Let the oil warm up and thin out to get into all of the passages before driving it.


If you have the right oil I would start up the car let it idle for maybe 30 seconds till you have good oil pressure and then start driving. Take it easy till the motor and the tires start warming up. The most stressful time during start-up is during cranking when you do not have oil pressure and there is no hydrodynamic bearing surface in the bearings, it is metal to metal contact. Once you have at least 20 psi oil pressure you car good to go.

[Rich]

Every now and then I read about how it's best to let an older engine warm up before putting it under load. Is this good advice? I've also heard that the best way to warm up an engine is to drive it. What do people here like to do with their D's?

I like to do what the DeLorean Owner's Handbook recommends.

a. Start the engine.
b. Drive the car.

Directly from p.15 of the Owner's Handbook:


Warming Up
When the engine is cold drive the car as soon as the engine has started. Do not warm up the car by allowing it to idle for long periods with the car stationary.

I don't drive it hard at first, of course, but I don't delay getting on with things.

[Patrick C]

If you have the right oil I would start up the car let it idle for maybe 30 seconds till you have good oil pressure and then start driving.

All I know is that 20W50 oil is pretty thick when you're starting your car in 5 degree temperatures in Michigan. :)