The New Debate! To Warm Or Not To Warm Up Your Engine? Is It Really A Question, Or A Bunch Of Bunk?!

Please Like, Comment, and Share. Be sure to subscribe for future videos. Don't forget to hit the bell icon for notifications. YouTube has changed what they show subscribers!

-----I assume no liability for property damage or injury incurred as a result of any of the information contained in this video. I recommend safe practices when working with power tools, automotive lifts, lifting tools, jack stands, electrical equipment, blunt instruments, chemicals, lubricants, or any other tools or equipment seen or implied in this video. Due to factors beyond my control, no information contained in this video shall create any express or implied warranty or guarantee of any particular result. Any injury, damage or loss that may result from improper use of these tools, equipment, or the information contained in this video is the sole responsibility of the user and not myself.-----

[cajunaggie]

Mechanical Engineer here. I always warm any cold engine at least 20-30 seconds before driving regardless of outdoor temperature to allow for good oil circulation and thermal expansion of the metal parts to happen so that design clearances are obtained prior to applying a load (driving). Modern oils aren't a major issue down to pretty cold temperatures, viscosity wise, but the amount of oil between bearing surfaces (as a designed system) is dependent on proper clearances which is highly dependent on the engine reaching design temperature. That is why you shouldn't "drive hard" with a cold engine. With proper lubrication, all loads are borne by the oil and not any metal to metal contact. Most wear occurs during startup in modern engines. Or more realistically, due to improper maintenance or operation.

[heathermalone]

I'm not a mechanic, nor an engineer. Just a girl who loves her Subaru. But I did grow up working on cars and I do understand a bit about engines. I live in CO and I have always let my cars warm up at least until my RPMs drop. To me it's just common sense. It seems like that is the car's way of signaling that it's reached operating temperature and is ready to go. Can't imagine we wouldn't have heard about this long ago if it was a legitimate issue. Thanks for another great video!

[franklinnorth]

I am in Canada, and I use the electric block heater to keep the block warm, saves fuel by the engine going off fast idle a lot sooner, and the cabin warms up faster as well.

[thomrobitaille]

I've driven in Canada for well nigh 50 years now. From a stone cold engine in the morning, I've always let the engine warm up a bit while I scrape the windows and brush off the snow. You need a bit of heat in the cooling system to prevent your windows fogging up. Also it certainly doesn't hurt to let the oil warm up a bit for better lubrication before you hit the road, modern viscosities not withstanding. I've put 295, 000 km (180, 000 miles) on my current vehicle without any issues.

[davidmahan]

I follow the advice in my Subaru handbook and let it warm up until the blue temperature light goes out. The Manufacturer knows best. 😊👍

[philiphaverly]

I agree with your opinion completely. FYI my 1999 Subaru outback 30 anniversary currently has 1.19 million miles on it I attributed to two things. As we put most of the miles on it in Northern Vermont we always warmed our engine up number two I have always done regular maintenance on it and when one item goes I replaced the other one also such as a CV joint or shocks anything that comes in pairs or quads. The first thing we did when we bought our new Subaru was literally driving to a remote start installation service and installed a aftermarket remote start and I had them set the runtime at the longest interval which is about 15 minutes. On cold days we make sure to park it with the heat and all defrosters on and let it time out when we remote start it at 15 minutes. Sometimes we even run it through two cycles. The car has survived temperatures of -42 not wind chill in Northern Vermont. Now we live in Central Indiana but whenever the temperature goes below 32 we always use the remote start and have a nice warm running car to get into which I should add is also safe because it is fully de-iced. I enjoy your videos very much thank you. I am 71 years old and still enjoy working on our Subarus are more recent Subaru is a 2010 outback. Much lower quality than our 99 Subaru however with proper care and maintenance and of course remote start on cold weather we consider it our low mileage Subaru with only 256, 000 mi on it :-)

[motormanjld]

I saw the exact "Verified" report a few days ago. It made me laugh out loud! The absolute ignorance of the statements from those so-called "technicians." I'm a lifelong mechanic/technician, engine builder and automotive machinist. And their excuses of why you don't warm your engine is the most ignorant statements I've ever heard!

[guitarmanstamm]

Your channel has been an amazing repository that’s helped me fix up and maintain my 04 XT Forester. In the past 3 weeks I’ve fixed so many issues with my car and have gotten it back to running like new, all DIY. From CV axels to power steering, idle relearn and a bunch more. Thank you for the great step by step guides.

[fatherof]

I totally agree with you, warm it up, let fluids get warm and flowing properly and let the metals warm up to expand to normal tolerances

[mpontones]

Great video on warming up your Subaru engine in the cold. As Robert explains around 14:40, the importance of warming up to warm idle is paramount. As the owner of two Foresters and working on countless other Subarus with CVT’s over the years. Warming up your engine to the point of warm base idle (closed loop) will also preserve your CVT. Putting your CVT equipped Subaru in gear at high idle eventually ruins the forward / reverse clutches in the CVT. After tearing apart a few CVT’s with worn out forward / reverse clutches and returning them to the owner upon completion of rebuild. I have the owner start and drive the car. In every instance, the owner starts the car and puts it into gear at high idle. It is at this point where I try to explain why the forward / reverse clutches on their CVT failed. Depending on whether you put your CVT equipped vehicle in gear at high RPM or low RPM can and will make the difference between your CVT lasting 50, 000 miles or 500, 000 miles. The worse is when you are in high idle, put it in reverse to let’s say, back out of a driveway. While still at high idle, you put it in drive. Those are two transmission engagements at high idle which is double bad. Putting your CVT equipped Subaru in gear at low idle could be the single most important thing you can do to extend the life of your CVT. As I’ve told my kids who also drive CVT equipped Subarus. Only put it into gear at high idle if you are being chased by zombies, werewolves or criminals.

[christopherszack]

I've always been a supporter of warming up the engine, and I always cite the same expansion/contraction reference you made when explaining this to other people. We have temperatures that drop to below -40 up here in Canada, so for small engine cars I usually, after 2-3 mins of running, suggest taking off slowly and maintaining an RPM at or below 2000 until the gauge starts to read. Otherwise, the car will never actually warm up at those temperatures.
Excellent video! And I agree entirely with your logic.

[johnbenvenuto]

I just found this video as we roll into winter in December 2023. I have always felt it made sense to let a gasoline engine warm up, especially in frigid weather. What great video with a great explanation.

[andyny]

Upon starting my Forester, I always wait until the high idle drops down to about 700 rpm before driving. It just feels right to do so. And yes I always wait for the blue light to go out.

[zanesutherland]

I always let my vehicles warm up a little bit, especially in the winter living in MT. My Subaru started up even when we had -28°F temps not including wind chill! Love my 07 Outback!

[johnjanoscrat]

Thanks so much for the very timely video. Been driving over half a century and have always let my vehicles warm up including my 2020 Crosstrek Limited. Been using synthetic oils since 1978. Even used gasohol in the late 70s with no issues. (not to get another discussion started). MrSubaru1387, all the best to you and family in 2023. I'm from SW Penna where we had between -5 and -10 degrees this past Friday night.

[keithrossner]

This has to be one of the most common-sense explanations I've heard. Yes, I warm up the car before driving you can feel the difference how the car responds from when its cold verses warmed up. You just reaffirmed what I've been doing when its very cold. I would think this would apply to all cars in cold climates.

[newjersey]

Thank You Mr. Subaru !! Excellent Accurate explanation for the Modern Subaru Blue Temp Light . 100% in agreement let warm up until the Blue light turns off.

[paultice]

That is just completely crazy and ridiculous. If that’s the case my dad‘s 85 c10 should’ve took a dirt nap a long time ago. In the winter time he would let it run 10 to 15 minutes before taking off. It has almost 400, 000 miles on it, it has the 4.3 V6 in it and a four barrel carburetor.

[tonyfurneaux]

Hi Mr Suburu, great channel, subbed 6 months and often check out your content, thanks for sharing your knowledge. You state sensible facts and logic, I totally agree with you. My wife drive a 2013 forester here in central Canada, the cold part lol, we always warm up the car, and will continue, NO matter what environmentals say...

[sarerrac]

I appreciate your input. Both of my cars sit still till at least SAI has completed its cycle and the idle drops. I then begin driving gently. Especially the flat 6. My beater is all aluminum as well. I wait till at least 180 F before I break 3000 rpm. In the flat 6. The beater is a pooch. So no need to hammer on either of them till some slow building heat has occurred. Thanx for the information. I’ll sit a little longer. The temp I speak of, is oil temperature.