Luke530

Manual says: car is ok, under any outside temp, after 1 minute.
I usually give it a minute in most cases, unless it's in the morning or very cold outside... then I'd like the car to warm up a bit more so that i'm not freezing my ass off while driving...

common reactor

I guess I'm the only wuss here that likes a warm car in the morning? Well, not for all you lucky socal guys and gals...must be nice!

shotiable

i warm up my car every morning... in case you missed my post... but then i'm a cali person... its not too too cold out here

slalom44

Idling for long period of time results in fuel dilution of your oil. This has been a common trait found on UOAs posted on BITOG.com. Excessive fuel dilution will significantly reduce your oil viscosity.

If you take long trips with your car, this extra gasoline in your oil will gradually be removed through your PCV valve but if your trips are relatively short you will get a significant amount of fuel dilution. I never wait for my car to warm up except on subzero (Fahrenheit) days.

I agree that you should take it easy until your engine is warm.

QUIKAG

I wait about 3 seconds before backing out of my garage. I am easy on the motor and short shift to 2nd gear to let everything warm up.

Those of you sitting there idling the car for long periods of time are doing more harm than good AND wasting gas.

riokong

I wait for three bars to show. Then gentle driving till operating temp.

clawhammer

Plus the engine warms up much faster if you drive it easy compared to just letting it sit.

j03chu

i start the engine, back out of garage. shift at 3000rpms. hell i shift at 3000rpms on regular driving so its all the same to me.

emg88

I wait until 4 bars on the temp gage and then drive easy until the trans is fully warmed (easier shifting).

PoLe_PoSiTiOn

your car warms up to 4 bars at idle? my car has never even gotten to 4 bars after driving it for 15 hrs straight.....