View Poll Results: do you let your car idle before shutting off
I always let my car idle before turning off.
264
36.72%
I always let my car idle if I am running it hard before I turn it off
211
29.35%
I just turn mine off when I\'m done.
55
7.65%
Doesn\'t matter, I have a turbo timer!
189
26.29%
Voters: 719. You may not vote on this poll
Poll: Do you let your car idle before shutting off?
Poll: do you let your car idle before shutting off
hey everyone! just wondering what other people do, when done driving. I have been trying to leave my engine running a few minutes after driving, but mine is just past break-in and ive been trying to baby it 
and i dont really want to get a turbo-timer... anyways... just curious! thanks!
and i dont really want to get a turbo-timer... anyways... just curious! thanks!
Last edited by reefro; Dec 17, 2003 at 02:45 PM.
to anyone that says they let it idle if they run it hard first - any guidelines you go by that makes you decide you are running it hard enough to idle? or just something you feel inside? 
i am just not really sure what running it 'hard' would be considered.. prolonged driving w/ boost? kind of a strange question but if anyone has any comments that would be cool
i am just not really sure what running it 'hard' would be considered.. prolonged driving w/ boost? kind of a strange question but if anyone has any comments that would be cool
I actually always let my car Idle before i shut it off.. But I do subscribe to the Idle if you've been running it hard..
Basically, if you've spooled the turbo quite a bit, driven the car hard, etc.. If its at the Drag strip, the amount of time it takes to slowly drive back to the pits is enough cool down.. you can then let it idle for 30 or so seconds when you stop..
The trick to this is to never shut the car off immediately after running hard.. 99% of the time, you've run your car hard, and had the opportunity to drive for some time very slowly (like in a parking lot) That actually is doing the same thing that your turbo timer is doing, and that is its allowing the turbine to spin down, and the oil pumped through the bearings to wash past it and move a bit of the heat away before shutting it off.
Basically, if you've spooled the turbo quite a bit, driven the car hard, etc.. If its at the Drag strip, the amount of time it takes to slowly drive back to the pits is enough cool down.. you can then let it idle for 30 or so seconds when you stop..
The trick to this is to never shut the car off immediately after running hard.. 99% of the time, you've run your car hard, and had the opportunity to drive for some time very slowly (like in a parking lot) That actually is doing the same thing that your turbo timer is doing, and that is its allowing the turbine to spin down, and the oil pumped through the bearings to wash past it and move a bit of the heat away before shutting it off.
The problem with the turbo timers is they inadvertantly defeat the immobilizer functionality.. Not to mention potential legal and safety issues.. BUT, My personal opinion on them is they are a waste of money.. If you frequently beat the snot out of your car, and then just want to shut it off, get out and walk away, then your a good candidate for a Turbo Timer.
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I'd feel uncomfortable to walk away with the car running hoping the timer will always function. I always give myself time wherever I go and don't mind sitting for 30 to 60 seconds before turning it off. In fact, I choose my parking to avoid dings and scratches, so letting the car idle is no big deal.
Originally posted by MalibuJack
I actually always let my car Idle before i shut it off.. But I do subscribe to the Idle if you've been running it hard..
Basically, if you've spooled the turbo quite a bit, driven the car hard, etc.. If its at the Drag strip, the amount of time it takes to slowly drive back to the pits is enough cool down.. you can then let it idle for 30 or so seconds when you stop..
The trick to this is to never shut the car off immediately after running hard.. 99% of the time, you've run your car hard, and had the opportunity to drive for some time very slowly (like in a parking lot) That actually is doing the same thing that your turbo timer is doing, and that is its allowing the turbine to spin down, and the oil pumped through the bearings to wash past it and move a bit of the heat away before shutting it off.
I actually always let my car Idle before i shut it off.. But I do subscribe to the Idle if you've been running it hard..
Basically, if you've spooled the turbo quite a bit, driven the car hard, etc.. If its at the Drag strip, the amount of time it takes to slowly drive back to the pits is enough cool down.. you can then let it idle for 30 or so seconds when you stop..
The trick to this is to never shut the car off immediately after running hard.. 99% of the time, you've run your car hard, and had the opportunity to drive for some time very slowly (like in a parking lot) That actually is doing the same thing that your turbo timer is doing, and that is its allowing the turbine to spin down, and the oil pumped through the bearings to wash past it and move a bit of the heat away before shutting it off.
mmmm
i on average always let it idle unless i just drove a few miles at very low rpm... even then i let it idle for 10-20 secs when i pull in where im going... If i just ran it hard i always try to drive around for a bit just taking it easy then when i get where im going i let it idle for about 30-45 sec's.... I love my car to much to put it up hot 
Originally posted by reefro
to anyone that says they let it idle if they run it hard first - any guidelines you go by that makes you decide you are running it hard enough to idle? or just something you feel inside? i am just not really sure what running it 'hard' would be considered.. prolonged driving w/ boost? kind of a strange question but if anyone has any comments that would be cool
to anyone that says they let it idle if they run it hard first - any guidelines you go by that makes you decide you are running it hard enough to idle? or just something you feel inside?
i am just not really sure what running it 'hard' would be considered.. prolonged driving w/ boost? kind of a strange question but if anyone has any comments that would be cool
Keith
A lot of the need for "idling down" the engine after driving has been taken care of with sythetic oil.
I personally do not idle the car after driving normally (3-4.5k shifts). If I get into it on a trip, I do idle down at least 30 seconds. Anything beyond that, in a car with an engine that gets as hot as this one does as fast as it does, and the fact that it runs thinner, slicker sythetic oil pretty much negates the need for much more "idling down" past 30 seconds.
I personally do not idle the car after driving normally (3-4.5k shifts). If I get into it on a trip, I do idle down at least 30 seconds. Anything beyond that, in a car with an engine that gets as hot as this one does as fast as it does, and the fact that it runs thinner, slicker sythetic oil pretty much negates the need for much more "idling down" past 30 seconds.
