Hi guys! I just bought a brand new 2009 Ford Mustang and it is my first car. For how long should I heat the engine before driving the car?

 

Shouldn't be a big issue just take it easy for the first couple miles. How cold it is may affect your answer.

 

I let it warm up until the needle starts to move.

 

50F or hotter - let the motor idle down, and then go. take about 10-20 seconds

colder than 50F - give her about 1-2 minutes...then take it easy the first 1-2 miles. I personally wouldn't open a can o' whoop *** until at least 10 minutes passed.


the oil gets more viscous as it gets colder. minimizing the RPM's for a few minutes lets the oil get fully circulated to all the critical parts/pieces.

 

I pretty much do tylus said, and welcome to the forum.

 

The idle for your car is 750 RPM, on a cold start it idles at 1500 until it warms up. I always wait until it drops to 750 then drive it, you will notice a lot smoother riding then.

 

+1 on what Tylus said pretty much. No need to sit more than a minute in really cold weather. Just drive granny style as she starts to warm up. With the 5W20 in the GT, it actually needs to get below zero for it to be a big concern. And even then just give it another 1/2 minute or so.

 

Thanks for all the replies guys, very much appreciated.