Warming up the engine

I can't seem to find a thread hear or get a straight answer at the dealer. I have a 3rd gen tacoma and are curious how long to wait on cold days to warm up the engine?

 

well it would depend on a lot of things and there is no set answer. its wise to let it run a bit when its very cold out but unless you live right on a highway i dont think its necessary for much more than comfort

 

That's a matter of debate and comes to personal preference. I'd let it idle for 30 seconds, then drive really gently for the first couple minutes while it's warming up. When shifting between park, reverse and drive be at a complete stop. Just take it easy and you'll be good.

Also, welcome to TW!

 

x2
I do the same.

 

Engine temperature builds really slowly in the aluminum block Toyota engines in my experience. At idle, it would take forever to 'warm up.' I generally just let mine run for a minute to make sure all the various lubricants are pumped into all the necessary places and then get going.

 

With all the sensors on engines now days a warm up is not really needed. The computer will do what is needed for efficiency.

 

A few seconds of idling and your're good to go, however nearly everyone agrees to not use heavy throttle and high rpms until the engine is fully warmed up (e.g. at least until the temp gauge has stabilized).

 

the manual tranny takes about 5 years to warm up, and i live in phoenix where it's not very cold. i don't know how long it would take up north.

 

I live in SoCal (winters here are not very cold) and my 5speed manual 3.4l v6 takes about 4 minutes to reach operating temperature in the morning.

 

I just let high idle come down and take it easy the first couple of miles.
Mine doesn't get good and warm until 10 miles down the road at 45-55 mph.
MPGs start building back up and the heater is nice and toasty.
Work is currently 13 miles away....

 

After the engine is started, let it idle. After a 10 or 15 seconds the RPM's drop. Ready to drive after that.

 

Our engine oil, 0W20 flows great on cold days. Almost like water at these lower temperatures. No special need to warm the engine it up unless you want the heater right away.

 

I just go by the feel of the tranny. i'll let it warm up anywhere from 5-10 mins and even after that, you hear loud clunks when shifting. and 2nd gear will always have a hesitation when cold, makes me look like a newbie driver no matter how precise you are with the clutch.

 

I don't have a 3rd gen but I usually sit there for a minute or more, my truck drives completely different when its cold. If I have time Ill run outside 15 minutes before I leave and crank the heat I hate the cold

 

Oh I totally feel you on that one. My 5 speed transmission is a clunky, notchy bitch when it's cold. I sometimes double clutch it until it gets completely warmed up.

 

Even then, 1st to 2nd is always a tough shift for me. I need to switch back to Redline MT90 fluid

 

What are you using now?

You might try the lube in post 5
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/manual-trans-grind-after-replacing-oil-fluid.427923/

 

Agreed on not needing a warm up period, it warms up faster by driving. About 30 seconds to 1 minute for the revs to drop and go. Heated seats warm up fast and keep me warm until I have heat. But if I didn't have a garage, and the windshield is frosted over, I would probably let it warm up enough for the defroster to clear up the windshield. I don't like scrapers!

 

I find that she goes more willingly and much smoother from the get go if I let it warm up for about 5min. Some people say that let a car or truck sits idling for too long is bad for the environment because of the unburned fuel, so I say that driving it is also bad for the environment.

 

WOW