Look, I'm not here to prove anyone wrong, I'm just providing information that I've gathered through research. This country needs a shift in consciousness, its not 1990 anymore, we don't have $.89/gallon gasoline. Idling does have some negative effects on the motor by way of carbon buildup, but that is far outweighed by the fact that every minute we are idling rather than moving we are using up non-renewable resources and emitting carbon emissions for essentially no good reason other than thats what your daddy said was good for your non-carbureted, electronically fuel injected gasoline engines. You don't have to be content with the status quo. If you see waste, ask why, test the science.

 

From doing some googling, I read a lot of sites that (very condensed and in lamans terms) FI cars need at the most 30 seconds warming up. Driving the car gently until the temp. is normal is the healthiest way, and idling pollutes more than normal driving. Starting your car does not damage anything, so shutting it off when not in use is the thing to do.

This is just what I've gathered. None of these sites spoke about sub-0 temperatures, but for the rest of us, it seems to be a unanimous thing that idling is a waste of gas.

 

In otherwards you are saying that idling your engine for 20-30secs at a stop light is unhealthy for the engine. I can understand long periods of engine idling in congested traffic may possibly take a toll on the engine life in the long run, but 20 to 30secs... be realistic dude.

Another thing is oxygen sensors, MAF sensors, coolant temp sensors, & the ECU limits carbon emissions out the tail pipe. I don't know if your research is substantial enough to convince me. Yeah, I'm aware that the engine may run richer when starting it cold, but that's why we all use STP complete fuel injection cleaner every 7,500 miles.

 

I think we're all talking about idling from cold start, not a traffic light.

 

My main concern about warming up my car isn't wasting fuel and polluting; It is simply to warm myself from the freezing weather we get in the Chicago area.

My wife got upset that the car was so cold this morning and asked why I didn't warm it up. I figured I'd wait to read a good reason on this thread, but I'm still not convinced that I shouldn't warm up my car.

Also, while I understand that I won't be helping matters by idling for no good reasons. with traffic and red lights, it's impossible to avoid idling for a minute or two. Besides, I also need to let it run for a while to be able to see through the windshield.

 

Like I said, do your own research. Prove me wrong.

 

If idling was so bad for the car, Toyota wouldn't be selling remote start as an accessory for vehicles that are still under warranty. They are not their own enemy.

 

Do you believe everything you read is true on the internet?

 

I'm the biggest scrutinizer of information (from all mediums) that you'll ever meet. In fact, thats precisely how I chose my position on this particular topic, by scrutinizing the status quo.

Maybe 1/1000th of the information on the internet is fact. You have to cross reference and filter 100 times before you get the verifiable information you need to feel confident that it is indeed fact.

It seems that most people on here just want to argue to argue and not provide evidence contrary to my position. With that being said, nothing I say is really going to change anyones mind. You have to do that yourself.

 

Again, DFWDJ, do you really think that Toyota itself would sell an option that would cost them a ton of money in the long run? Remote engine start is used to warm/cool the vehicle before driving off - aka let it idle until AC or heater kicks in. If it was something that could potentially bring numerous expensive warranty claims, Toyota (or any other manufacturer) would never include this in the option list.

 

The effects of engine idling are not going to rear its head until well after the end of most typical warranty periods. Again, status quo... most think that 250,000 miles is a long life for a gasoline engine. Most think that its financially beneficial to trade in their vehicles every 5 years. There is verifiable evidence to the contrary on both points, so take it as you will. I've said my piece.

 

I see what DFWDJ means. Very valid point on both ends

 

Would you shut up already about this information on the internet crap? Its called common sense... like Zoltiz said and what common sense shows us is... Toyota would not install an option that causes harm to the engine... Pull. Head. From. ___.

Thank you...

 

What an incredibly insightful retort. Thank you for your vast knowledge of common sense... enlightening.

I'm sorry, obviously you were just trying to get a rise out of me and I should have just left this thing alone, but your ironical blind trust in a capitalistic monolith is just too much. No, Toyota would never lead you astray, never! The money is in the treatment not the cure.

 

^ I understand that the engine needs to be on a load to burn off the excessive carbon under cold start ups, but I'm still skeptical because your resource that you've provided only disscuss conditions with the engine. What about automatic transmission fluid main line pressure and temperature. I see at the bottom of your resource it says idling only warms up the engine and not the tranny, but that's not accurate. I know the ATF warms up at the point of the torque converter. The converter is turning at idle regardless if it's in park or in gear. I believe operating the tranny without allowing it to operate at its designated temp would cause delay or sustain in between shifts. I've searched to dispute the notion on this subject but not successful yet. Plus, the resource never considered really cold conditions. If carbon build up is the issue in the long run, then why not use fuel injector cleaner or throttle body service. It's all about your logic and others when coming across information on the internet. Of coarse, you're from Texas giving advice to all regions of the world.

 

Don't let 'em get to you, DFWDJ............ I have friends that still insist it's okay to put up a car all winter long without any prep. Not a perfect analogy, I know, but for some of us, ignorance is bliss.............:-)

 

PS: Am I the only one here who posts with a real name? Is there any reason why I shouldn't be doing that? Seems so strange and mechanical.......

 

^Ignorance is bliss?...
That provided information is not reliable. Also, the rest of it floating around the net.
Even under heavy acceleration during normal operating temps, carbon starts to build up. The type of gas you use also dictates that. There's no way around it other than getting your schedule maintainence done. I like how some people give misleading info. Carbon buildup does not really damage your engine as some say it does. Yes carbon build up is bad for engine parts, but it's a matter of maintenence being done to eliminate conditions from getting worse. Perfect solution to the condition is what I just said earlier. Someone correct me if I wrong in my qoutes. If not, case closed.

 

You guys have taken this a little too far i think. I feel that warming up the engine for a minute or two isn't bad and i've also done research on the web, but you can find information that all contradicts one another. If anything i would think it would take a toll on a motor after a couple hundred thousand miles and i imagine that most of us on scionlife do NOT plan on keeping a car past that anyways. But i really like this thread or at least i found it useful. I used to warm up my car every morning for 2 or 3minutes. Honestly this is weird, but my mileage just on the tach is a good 1-2 MPG better. Which i find pretty drastic i mean. Its still not much. But its kool to think about how much fuel was actually not being used sitting in idle.
Bennyboy
I think everyone should just relax a little. It is friday.

 

Actually, I think everyone here is pretty civil. Even when we disagree, most everyone respects each other. I've come to think of many of you as friends!