How many people warm up their Explorer ST before driving?

MScott · Nov 6, 2019

How many people get in their car early in the morning and drive right away? I'll admit I have a habit of letting it warm up for a couple of minutes before driving.

2020Platinum · Nov 6, 2019

I always warm up my cars...even when it’s warm outside.

ethics05 · Jan 25, 2020

I'm in south Florida and still let it warm for 30 sec at least for now .... just passed 1140 miles. Thinking about a first oil change at 1500mi even though it may not need it. Last brand new car I bought was in 1984 believe it or not. I'm sure many will find that humorous. I'm an a ole gear head.

KNTRDR · Jan 26, 2020

I generally try to let whatever vehicle I'm driving warm up just long enough for the oil to be circulated fully and for the high idle to drop down to normal. A couple minutes in most conditions. If it's actually cold out, 5-10 minutes. If it's mega, mega, mega cold, 10-20.

PajamaGuy · Jan 26, 2020

In Massachusetts, unless I know the interior of my ST is close to my liking, I remote start. If I remember, it's usually less than 10 min.

STO · Jan 31, 2020

Definitely, want to get the oil / trans fluid moving

66gt350ps · Feb 25, 2020

I have heard that it is good to let the engine run for a half minute when starting up and before shutting down due to the turbos. Not sure of the accuracy of this idea bu do it anyway.

FordHousePDX · Feb 25, 2020

I start driving it right away but i take it easy on it until its warmed up.

Vash610 · Feb 25, 2020

I thought warming up your car is a thing of the past, and nowadays EPA said 30 seconds TOPS or else turn it off.

Adrenalinejunky · Feb 26, 2020

Always warm that engine at least 5 mins if its below 40. Seals are stiff, and oil viscosity is high at low temps which will cause seeping and worse leaks. I also try to warm the axles, trans, and wheel bearings by driving slowly for a mile or so when its below freezing.

Kevin 1456 · May 16, 2020

modern engines dont need a warm up time. 10 seconds is long enough to get the oil pressure up and the fluid moving. the trans doesnt need to be warmed up either, transmissions love running as cold as possible.
thats some stupid thing from the days of carburetors, when the auto chock would need to be warmed up before the engine ran well.

obviously i wouldnt just turn it on and go WOT seconds after ignition. and if you live in a cold climate then yes, give it some time. i live in southern california so its always around 65 degrees here.

bonediggitty · May 17, 2020

My vehicles all get full synthetic and I live in Arizona. I drive with a rule, I take it easy in my neighborhood and near work, and fairly easy in public parking lots. So, by the time I’m loaded in, I just take off.

Now, my ‘76 K5 gets a 5-10 minute warm up, otherwise the carb sputters.

MikeyTX · May 17, 2020

Sure miss my 'ol Blazer. The new one is a travesty. Someone at GM should be lynched over the naming .......... Jus say'n

Blaster7Romeo · Dec 18, 2021

I know it is not an ST.. but on my 6.7 powrstroke. just auto start it while I am walking to it. buy the time I get in and bucked up it should be good to go.... on cold mornings give it long enough to be as warm as I want in it.

301k miles only thing I have replaced is a turbo at 150k ish. and that was a known issue in that year model.

but only use full synthetic oil

and I will treat my ST the same way when it arrives

Refiner · Dec 18, 2021

I sure do. Especially when its -30C out.

LoneShark · Dec 19, 2021

Direct inject engines do not like prolonged idling at cold engine temperatures. Amongst other things it causes oil dilution.

My approach is: start it, give it 30-60 seconds and start driving. No high load, high revs until everything is at operating temperature. Normal operation will get your engine to temperature much faster (ie less wear) than idle.

You guys are free to do as you please but cold start and idle more than a minute our two is not doing your vehicle any favors

JohnE · Dec 19, 2021

LoneShark said:

Direct inject engines do not like prolonged idling at cold engine temperatures. Amongst other things it causes oil dilution.

My approach is: start it, give it 30-60 seconds and start driving. No high load, high revs until everything is at operating temperature. Normal operation will get your engine to temperature much faster (ie less wear) than idle.

You guys are free to do as you please but cold start and idle more than a minute our two is not doing your vehicle any favors

100% agree.

DaveG ST · Dec 19, 2021

Start and go, in my opinion. Wife uses it a lot more than I do, so she may start it with her phone to make it comfortable for her, but not for the sake of the ST.

Ford Guy · Dec 20, 2021

Wow so many different opinions on this...
Let the car sit and warm up or just go...
It seems like a 50/50 split.
Maybe this is worth looking more into no?

LoneShark · Dec 20, 2021

Ford Guy said:

I don’t think you’re really going to find any experts advising you should do prolonged idle/warm up. Just people that are living by outdated information or those who are unwilling to get into a cold car in winter.

This guy seems to be pretty universally accepted.

Without having searched YouTube any harder than the first video which came up, I suspect you won’t find much conflicting advise.

Sign Up! To view all forums and unlock additional cool features

How many people warm up their Explorer ST before driving?

How many people warm up their Explorer ST before driving?

Yes

No

Sometimes

Member

New Member

New Member

Member

Member

Member

Member

Member

Member

Member

Member

Member

Member

Member

New Member

Member

Active Member

Member

Member

Member