Quote:
Originally Posted by drew1d
Let the car warm up for a few minutes, than go. I know it sounds like "waste fuel to save fuel," but you'd be surprised what a difference on older cars it can make. (Not necc'l FE but definitely health of the car.)
Also, I'm not sure about Geo's, but do they have an insulated tube that takes heat from the exhaust to the intake to warm it up? Make sure that isn't disconnected.
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Care to explain how that's any healthier for the vehicle?
You realize that the general consensus is that extended idling periods are harmful to an engine, right?
Here's what happens - You leave your engine idle while it's cold, and the pressure doesn't build up substantially in the oiling system, thereby making it so that even less of the cold oil can make it through to the bearings and piston ring contact surfaces, causing scoring and extensive wear.
Also, even though you've left your engine warm up, now your drivetrain and tires aren't warmed to the road conditions yet, so they're struggling to keep up with an efficiently running engine, dragging your FE down even more.
You're right when you say it's "wasting fuel", because that's all it is. You're not gaining anything except a few MPG in instant economy, which isn't what we're worried about here. We want numbers from the long haul, so to speak.
Have you read the
100+ Hypermiling Tips yet? Good information in there, could change your mind about wive's tales such as this.