Hi,
So I just noticed that the RPM on my car goes up to 1 while in park. I don't think it has happened before. I get a feeling of some invisible foot stepping on the gas. It's freaking me out a bit, I don't know if thats normal. When I put it in drive and the blue cold engine light comes off it runs fine. What could be the problem? Can I still drive the car? I want to get it fixed but I'm a college student with no significant amount of cash I can just spend. Any suggestions?

 

I don't have a temp light but mine will rev a little higher cold. Especially immediately after starting.

I have a tc but it'll rev over 1k sometimes and I've never really worried about it. Just as you said once it warms up a bit its fine

 

I just took it for a drive and it was a little over 1k at start. It sat in the cold for 2 days. After driving and warming the engine up a bit it was at around .75k in park. So it this normal? I'm just really oversensitive about this car because unfortunately I had issues with it that still need attention.

 

All cars do this. It is completely normal. When you start your car and it's not at optimal temperature it's in "open loop". Once it gets to optimal operating temperature it will rev normally. This is known as closed loop. It revs higher to heat the engine quicker.

 

I don't know how old your car is but it could also be your battery low on bolts......my2cents

 

This is completely normal. The colder the car, the higher the RPMs during idle (in park). If I am in cold weather, RPMs can go as high as 2000 until my car is warmed up. I usually idle around 750 once its all warm. xB's do some funky stuff when the blue light is on, so dont worry about it.

 

Also, that way you dont freak out in the future: Autos with the blue light on will not shift past 3rd gear. So, if you are on the freeway with a cold engine still, you will be at some HIGH RPMs at 65MPH. Just be wary of that. I thought my car was broken until I found out that it has to be warm to shift past 3rd gear.