So what's the consensus on letting our V8's warm up when it's cold outside? I will usually let mine idle for 5-10 minutes, usually long enough for the needle to just start creeping up on the gage. Is it bad for me to do that? I do it with my diesel, but that's a diesel. I've always thought that it's bad to just start it up in the cold and start driving right away. Anybody want to share their 2 cents?

 

I start mine, wait for oil pressure to come up, and then drive away. If its cold, I go gently till the engine starts warming. I can't afford to let my V-8 idle. Burns too much of that liquid gold.

 

I'm of the same mind... if it's got oil pressure, I'm good raise the RPM and start moving.
Regardless of the ambient temperature, I keep the RPM (and rate of acceleration) low until the temp gauge moves off the mark... easier done in a stick than an auto, I know.
Idling in the driveway, or idling down the street, there's not much difference, other than you're getting closer to your destination.

 

I fire mine up put the tranny in N and give it like 5 min to warm up, hit the od button so its off before I move. I leave the driveway and I have to be up to 60+ mph fast.

 

is there an advantage or something good that I don't know about letting it idle in N? is yours auto or manual?

 

I have about the first 5 miles that I can happily stay under 30MPH... give it plenty of time to warm before I merge into the fast traffic.

 

I have an auto, these tranny don't move oil when in P so in N it gets the oil moving.

 

I don't let it idle for more than a minute or two (enough time to knock the snow off the truck and find a song on the radio), I'm too cheap to let it sit and warm the engine and cab up. Usually shift no later than 2200 and take it easy till the temp gauge moves.

 

Even though it's usually not that cold here in Florida I still always baby it while the engine is cold. I fire it up and put it in neutral for around 30 seconds then drive like an old lady (usually around 1500 rpm) until it's fully up to temp. I drive through the subdivision and take side roads so the temp is up before I have to get up to speed.

 

As a Northern states old man owner of over 50 used vehicles, with nary a blown engine or tranny...I have always gone with the start/oil pressure up/drive away slowly approach.
My theory has been that all components need to get moving in cold weather...but slowly! Nice and easy is the key...until fluids warm to a temperature where they can be most effective.