I read in the latest issue of popular science that the only thing warm-ups do is put more "unrecorded miles" on the engine. It also said that it isn't that necessary becuase newer oils dont really get thick enough to cause dry starts in cold weather. What do you all think?

if your using multi-grade oil, you should be fine as far as not having to let it sit for extended warm-up, in your winters I would just let it settle in, couple minutes only

I'm no expert, but I think theres more to warming up than just the oil. Wouldn't colder parts be more susceptible to breakage?

Heh, the main reason I warm up is so that I can get into a warm truck (heater) but I also do it because i was always taught that its better for the engine.

i let my truck warm up for about 2 minutes every morning but my dad doesnt let his warm up and he hasnt had any problems (ive got 72k miles and he has 95k miles both 99 3.0s)

i only wait till i can acceptably see.

the only "warm up" you can do that helps your car is have a block heater for the oil and maybe a prepump where it pumps oil before actual start up. but i dont know of these for rangers and other cars. so you only have block heaters.

I am old school I guess but I was taught with fine machinery you never just hopped in, started it up and sped off. I dont do any kind of extended idling unless I want the cab warm, but I do always wait and let it settle down and view the gauges before I drive off. My ex would put the key in and as soon as she released the key she was hauling butt down the drive way.

Heh, the main reason I warm up is so that I can get into a warm truck (heater) but I also do it because i was always taught that its better for the engine.

It's actually harder on the engine. It's better to warm it up by driving moderately. That way it doesn't have to run as rich during the warm up.

The only time you should wait longer than 30 seconds to drive is if it's unsafe to drive (e.g. you can't see out the window because of frost, fog).

I only warm up the engine before driving off when its below 20F outside. Generally, in that situation, there is also some snow or ice to get scraped off the windows, so the engine can warm a couple of minutes while cleaning windows, etc.

The engine will warm up much faster if driven modestly then when just sitting still. Until the coolant gets up to temperature, the ecu runs the rich mode, so there is more oil dilution, etc. if you let it idle 10 minutes to warm up than if you drive gently for 5 minutes to warm up.

Heh, the main reason I warm up is so that I can get into a warm truck (heater) but I also do it because i was always taught that its better for the engine.
Me too.

I can feel a power difference in my cold engince and a warm engine. It sucks when its cold! After its warm, its fine.

Usually it would take me 2-3 miles and about half of that on the highway to start getting heat from the vents.

I just put an efan on and I start to feel heat by the time I get 1/2 to 1 mile up the road. its awesome.