Question for e39 daily driver-ers.

[Only1Balto]

Myth #1: The engine should be warmed up before driving. Reality: Idling is not an effective way to warm up your vehicle, even in cold weather. The best way to do this is to drive the vehicle. With today's modern engines, you need no more than 30 seconds of idling on winter days before driving away.
Myth #2: Idling is good for your engine. Reality: Excessive idling can actually damage your engine components, including cylinders, spark plugs, and exhaust systems. Fuel is only partially combusted when idling because an engine does not operate at its peak temperature. This leads to the build up of fuel residues on cylinder walls that can damage engine components and increase fuel consumption.
Myth #3: Shutting off and restarting your vehicle is hard on the engine and uses more gas than if you leave it running. Reality: Frequent restarting has little impact on engine components like the battery and the starter motor. Component wear caused by restarting the engine is estimated to add $10 per year to the cost of driving, money that will likely be recovered several times over in fuel savings from reduced idling. The bottom line is that more than ten seconds of idling uses more fuel than restarting the engine.

Its also illegal in some states to idle your car unless you're an emergency vehicle. Start your car, find a station, fasten your belt, drop the e-brake (For those w/ 3 pedals ) and GO! GO! GO! Car's are in no way near as fragile as many people think. Unless you're talking about the BMW's cooling systems... then you'd be valid.

http://www.consumerenergycenter.org/myths/idling.html
http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum...n-cold-weather
http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum...m-up-their-car
http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum...-cold-mornings
http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum...iver-ers/page2
http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/arc.../t-154868.html

[013137]

Whenever I cold start any of my bimmers they idle a bit high until the secondary air pump turns off. It's normal.

I always wait for the idle to come down before driving.

[crosseyedsniper]

My '99 540i/6 idles at around 500rpm even on cold mornings. I put my belt on, turn on the radio, and go. And yes, the manual does recommend against letting the car idle to warm up. As stated the manual transmission is a little grumpy at first but it warms up and settles down pretty quickly.

[dminaert]

On a cold start cold morning (35-ish) my car idles around 1000 rpm for about 30 seconds. After that it settles at 750 or so. Any lower and it feels rough. I wait about 15 seconds and then drive off.

[jp5Touring]

I fire it up. Put my seat belt on turn heated seat on turn radio off turn the heater down to one bar,,, Then go. I baby it till I get a lot of temp in it..
I drive like my Mom when its cold,, Then get the hell outa my way when its warm,,,,

[tmvE39E53Z32TT]

I usually start driving within 10 sec. Take it easy until the temp needle is in the middle.

[Justin517]

I push in the clutch then go through the gears once or twice. Slowly and smoothly takes maybe 10 seconds. It may be my imagination but it seems to make getting into second when cold a bit easier.

[larrym3711]

With the reality of modern engine design and high lubricant oils, such as typical multi/weight synthetic oils, there is little justified need for long warmups, and, as has been posted by others is NOT recommended for best engine longevity. The only possible exception is for those climates that would be labeled 'extremely cold' where even low viscosity oils take a bit of time to circulate. 99% of us are NOT in such climates. Still, until my engine temp approaches mid range, I do not generate a high rev condition if possible.

larrym3711
2001 540iA Sport

[jamesdc4]

My '99 540i/6 idles at around 500rpm even on cold mornings.

If your car's production date is prior to 9/1998, you don't have a secondary air system. It sounds like the higher idle at start up is caused by the SAP. I was confused by the OP's question because of his mention of the idle settling. Otherwise, I would've just answered about the manual stating NOT to warm up the car before driving. Another reason NOT to warm up the car before driving is you want the transmission/drive train to warm up with the engine. Driving immediately after start up does this.

[GOES212]

It's not been particularly cold since I bought my 530i (maybe high 30's in the AM) but I haven't noticed the I6 kicking up or down on cold start. Car seems to idle fine. I maybe run it a minute then go. I do baby the thing until the coolant reads up to temp and the diff and transmission etc have had time to warm up too...

[jamesdc4]

It's not been particularly cold since I bought my 530i (maybe high 30's in the AM) but I haven't noticed the I6 kicking up or down on cold start. Car seems to idle fine. I maybe run it a minute then go. I do baby the thing until the coolant reads up to temp and the diff and transmission etc have had time to warm up too...

I guess we need more input to confirm/deny the settling idle/SAS relationship.

[Cyrix2k]

I usually let it idle 10-15 minutes when it's cold out. I like leaving in a warm car

[Qsilver7]

As others have already stated...instructions on how to start your engine is written in the....owners manual...

And as far as those of us that live where really cold ambient temps can occur...BMW designed an "engine warm up cycle" that also helps warm up the catalysts and the tranny...

[vironT7]

I usually let it idle 10-15 minutes when it's cold out. I like leaving in a warm car

Yeah i've done this with the assumption that my car will live longer if I let it idle, AND as a bonus I leave in a nice and toasty interior. Not doing that anymore.

For statistics, mine is a 2001 I6 so I guess I do have the SAS, and the needle sits at 900 for about 35-45 sec before dropping down to 500 at startup.

[dareckibmw]

I have been idling mine every week 10-15 min. and longer for more than 11 years, nothing happened.

[Only1Balto]

I have been idling mine every week 10-15 min. and longer for more than 11 years, nothing happened.

So what do you do while you wait?

[Cyrix2k]

Yeah i've done this with the assumption that my car will live longer if I let it idle, AND as a bonus I leave in a nice and toasty interior. Not doing that anymore.

For statistics, mine is a 2001 I6 so I guess I do have the SAS, and the needle sits at 900 for about 35-45 sec before dropping down to 500 at startup.

It's unlikely to cause any significant wear AND it is far better than quickly driving off cold. BMW's recommendations are based off an assumed 150k mile service life and driving off easily. I'm really beyond the point of carrying about longevity - I have 207k miles and counting on the 540. It starts up with no smoke and runs pretty well, but I don't see the chassis lasting too much longer. That and I'll be looking at a new car soon enough.

I have been idling mine every week 10-15 min. and longer for more than 11 years, nothing happened.

yup

So what do you do while you wait?

Get ready for work.

[dareckibmw]

Exactly!

[vironT7]

Yeah, I eat my breakfast in the meantime.

Sent from my dragon using BF.com

[Bandem]

If its really cold, I give it a few minutes. RPM's aren't good for engines when cold. If its warmer then I'll start it up and get everything done (plug in phone, seatbelt...etc) and once it hits idle rpm's then I go. I never go above 2500-3000rpm until the engine has been at full operating temperature for 20-30 minutes.

[OnTheFence]

I'm in a garage, so I pretty much go after 2-3 seconds.
I don't rev it past 2500 until it's warmed up, if ever.

[vironT7]

Another trend I'm seeing is that those of you who are in a garage don't even see a difference in rpms between startup and 40 second later. Mine is never in a garage so I can't relate or even experiment with it.

[DUNNE44]

My car idles around 8-900rpm also when the SAP is on.

Your car is in spanish haahahhaah

On cold days it takes like 30 secs for my revs to come down to 700, I just tune the radio station

O yeah I wait until my oil temp gets up to normal temp before reving over 2900

[bcain79]

How many of you wait for your car to idle down before taking off EVERY single time you get in. I just have this thought in the back of my mind that tells me I'm slowly killing my car if I don't wait. Curious how many other people do this.

Lol, I do and think the exact same thing! I wondered if it was wierd.

[jamesdc4]

Another trend I'm seeing is that those of you who are in a garage don't even see a difference in rpms between startup and 40 second later. Mine is never in a garage so I can't relate or even experiment with it.

Garaged here. One possible explanation.