Hey everyone! I have a question about warming up my 2017 Miata with 80,000 miles. I know you don't need to warm up an engine before driving because the engine warms up faster when you drive at slower speeds. However, I go to University of Houston, and from my parking lot to the highway I need to get on to go home my car doesn't get to operating temps I will only be driving for about 3 minutes (i would guess not even 1/5 of a mile) before I need to start accelerating to get onto the highway. This leads me to my question is it good to warm up a car if you are going to be reving it before it reaches operating temps? As always thanks for the responses!
You're just fine to get on the highway during the warm up period. Just be easy on the gas. I drive my 1999 Ford Ranger with 292k miles on it around a half mile before I get on the highway, from cold. I live in Ohio, and it gets a lot colder than in Houston, lol. Once the high idle goes away (not until the temperature indicator reaches normal, that's excessive) you can start driving your car. Don't put it pedal to the metal, but you can get on the highway.
Yes, warm it up.
For my hybrid, I usually don't warm it up, I just go. I go slow enough and the electric motor helps with the driving. And the engine warms up through this process.
BUT, when I know I am going on the freeway, and I need to get to speed, I intentionally let the car idle (I have to keep my foot on the gas, otherwise it will turn off.)
Better safe than sorry.
