What is a safe time frame to put the car into gear and drive after starting cold?
I was always of the mind set to let the car warm up some before going, but Its hard watching the trip readout drop .2 every few seconds.
Dave

 

I don't wait at all, maybe 5 seconds, then pull out into the driveway and wait about 20 seconds for the door to finish closing, then I go. However, this is new mexico, very mild winter weather.

 

The engine is running at an elevated RPM and possibly running rich to warm the engine as quickly as possible. Unless you have a very short commute, this will improve mileage in the long run.

 

my understanding is that most newer cars and especially the hch.2 do not need a warm up time as the software automatically adjusts the leanness of the fuel mixture to compensate for a cold engine. i believe you can simply start the car and get going. optionally, you can shut off your automatic climate control so that the engine warms up faster vs. cabin comfort.

 

I believe that the best thing for a modern engine, especially a small one like the HCHII, is to start it up and drive, just take it easy for the first 5 minutes or so.

There's really no need to "warm up" engines any more thanks to computer chips and modern lubricants.

 

I just start it and go too, but thats for mileage reasons. Although I remember reading my brother's manual for his Tahoe that it didn't need a warm-up period like older cars (and this was back in 99), and I HIGHLY doubt the HCH 2 does either. Everything everyone is saying sounds solid. I wouldn't worry, I'd just start it and go....

 

If you remember two things, you'll be all set...

- When the car is first driven, don't accelerate harshly (you probably don't anyway, if you're interested in getting the best FE out of the car, and I see a 49mpg average, so I know you're doing well in that regard). You won't harm the car, as long as you're not doing drag runs with it out of the box.

- The car is getting 0 mpg anytime it's idling and not moving (and dropping down your tank average, as you noted).


The car will warm up faster if you drive it (again, not TOO harshly), and you'll have used that gasoline for something besides emitting hydrocarbons into the air


That being said, I'll usually let the car warm up for 5-10 seconds in the *really* cold weather. Otherwise, I'm usually shifting into gear and starting to move after I fasten seat belt and reset my Trip 'B' (I use that for my 'per-trip' mileage, and 'A' for the 'tank avg') - that takes about 5 seconds, I think.

Generally, I use that procedure most of the time I get in the car. Occasionally, as I'm out / about, I think to fasten the seatbelt *before* starting the car, and, on the weekend, I'll leave Trip 'B' in place for the day and not reset it each time I start / drive the car from trip to trip.

 

I tend to just start and go. On days when the windows are foggy, I would wait until they clear. As soon as it's safe, I get going.

 

The other day it was pretty cold and the rpm's shot to 2k.
This morning it is was about 45 and the rpm's shot to like 1500-1600.

I can coast out of my driveway and down the road a good bit without hitting the gas. It's a good 2 miles before I can get out of the neighborhood and go more than 30 mph. She seems to be warmed up by the time I need some power.

Thanks for all the input.

Dave