Question about engine start-up....

[RedRobin]

....

On the 2.0T FSI (Mk5 GTI in my case):

Does anyone know please whether it's better for the car to:

A) - Let the engine idle until the automatic choke finishes and the revs settle, before engaging gear and driving?

B) - Engage gear immediately, or very soon, after ignition and drive?

Btw, I never use higher revs until water temp gauge is vertical PLUS a bit longer because we don't have an oil temp display

Thx
RR

[Hoping T_T might be around to contribute his in-depth reasons about which is best]

[Gene Hunt]

B for me.

[B3n]

I start the car give it about 30 seconds then drive off but i dont go above 2500rpm until the engine warms up.

Ive been told that leaving a car warm up at idle causes more harm than good something to do with oil pressure.

[cal tdi]

I would say the first, it's certainly what I do and surely it makes sense??

I know it's slightly different but delivery vans always end up with knackered turbos etc due to them being started up instantly and driven away within seconds

[Truckie]

Im with you on the start up and wait about 30 secs maybe more if i have time, it feels like im doing the right thing lol.
Theres a guy that stays near me with a 3.2 quattro a3, i hear him every morning start in gear foot on clutch, before the engine even settles down to idle he is revving away from his space....Sounds mega but...Its been going on for about 2 years now and hes still running so, who knows if its doing any damage! 

[john_o]

B)  for me , moderate driving to warm it up ASAP
T_T may have you on 'automatic choke' , most youngsters wont even know what a 'choke' is 

[Richn83]

Personally I would leave it 30 seconds or so to allow revs to settle a bit, and for the oil pump to do its thing, before moving off at slow engine speeds until everythings up to temprature.

But would be very interested to get a professional opinion on this. Good question RR.

[stealthwolf]

I'm almost certain T_T commented on this in another thread. May be worth a search? It may have been posted over at the other site.

[Truckie]

theres another site???         

[RedRobin]

I start the car give it about 30 seconds then drive off but i dont go above 2500rpm until the engine warms up.

Ive been told that leaving a car warm up at idle causes more harm than good something to do with oil pressure.

....I've heard that too - Which is why I asked the question.

Certainly I never use higher revs until water temp gauge is vertical AND a bit longer because we don't have an oil temp display 

[RedRobin]

T_T may have you on 'automatic choke' , most youngsters wont even know what a 'choke' is  

....[RR goes off to find pic of choke-related Babe to post, but finds nothing which wouldn't get censored]

[Hedge]

I get in the car, start the engine, glasses on then set off so probably B for me.
I then drive gently until fully warm.

[Richn83]

T_T may have you on 'automatic choke' , most youngsters wont even know what a 'choke' is  

....[RR goes off to find pic of choke-related Babe to post, but finds nothing which wouldn't get censored]

been trawling google images with safe search turned off again.......

[PDT]

Both methods are fine. Personally I prefer to get an engine up to temperature as quickly as possible.

[RedRobin]

Both methods are fine. Personally I prefer to get an engine up to temperature as quickly as possible.
 

....Coming from you, that's very good to hear 

I've been doing periods of both in the last (nearly) 5 years and suddenly wondered which was better for the engine.