- #2 of 8
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Re: Does a cold engine need to idle before driving?? [manyqx]
by coldcranker
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Jan 13, 2009 (7:13 pm)
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Replying to: manyqx (Jan 13, 2009 5:48 pm)
There is something wrong with your Freestyle. Mine does fine in cold weather after just seconds of idling. Hard to guess what it might be, it could be something not right in the CV joints or transmission, in my opinion.
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- #3 of 8
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by tim156
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Jan 15, 2009 (1:42 pm)
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My 07 SEL also does fine. It was 14 below zero this morning when I left for work at 10:30. I don't plug it if it's parked overnight in the garage. I let it warm up three to four minutes and I also put the transmission in neutral to try to warm the tranny fluid a little. I read somewhere, sometime that it's not good to idle your engine for more than 10 minutes.
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- #4 of 8
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Re: Does a cold engine need to idle before driving?? [manyqx]
by tidester HOST
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Jan 15, 2009 (2:53 pm)
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Replying to: manyqx (Jan 13, 2009 5:48 pm)
I agree with coldcranker and tim156. Also, you will warm up your engine much more quickly if you just drive off (slowly!) after a brief idle period.
tidester, host
SUVs and Smart Shopper
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- #5 of 8
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Re: Does a cold engine need to idle before driving?? [tidester]
by coldcranker
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Jan 15, 2009 (5:43 pm)
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Replying to: tidester (Jan 15, 2009 2:53 pm)
I do remember years ago when in -19 deg F weather, my Dodge Intrepid's steering was a bit stiff due to thicker steering fluid. Other than that, I've never known a car to act too weird when very cold.
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- #6 of 8
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Re: Does a cold engine need to idle before driving?? [coldcranker]
by tidester HOST
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Jan 15, 2009 (9:08 pm)
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Replying to: coldcranker (Jan 15, 2009 5:43 pm)
I've been out in 30 below (Idaho) and, while the car feels pretty stiff, it does just fine. And it does take a while to warm up inside. 
tidester, host
SUVs and Smart Shopper
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- #7 of 8
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Re: Does a cold engine need to idle before driving?? [tidester]
by coldcranker
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Jan 16, 2009 (5:46 pm)
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Replying to: tidester (Jan 15, 2009 9:08 pm)
When its very cold, I know the tire rubber is very stiff, and MPG can suffer. Of course, MPG also suffers until the engine oil has warmed up to operating temperature, too.
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- #8 of 8
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Re: Does a cold engine need to idle before driving?? [coldcranker]
by tim156
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Jan 17, 2009 (5:11 am)
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Replying to: coldcranker (Jan 16, 2009 5:46 pm)
With the extreme cold we've been experiencing here in Minneapolis my MPG has dropped to around 15.5 mpg. Normally I get around 17.5 mpg in the winter and 20 mpg in the summer for my routine drive to work and running errands. Between the stiff rubber and shocks the ride is pretty rough when it's -22 degrees.
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