millo777
MB Enthusiast
- Joined
- Mar 9, 2011
- Messages
- 1,250
- Location
- Swansea, Dubai, Riyadh
- Car
- 1997 W140 S600L/2003 S211 320cdi
ALWAYS .... wait until the engine has reached normal operating temperature before driving the car. It takes a couple of minutes, doesn't burn as much fuel as driving a cold engine, doesn't cause unnecessary and totally avoidable wear to the engine and there are many more reasons.
Just get in the car, start the engine and wait until the temperature needle reaches eg. 90 degrees. There are lots of things you could do during this very short time, like put all your lights and 'hazards' on and walk around the car to check the lights are all working.
I totally disagree. Driving the car is the best way to get the engine up to temp. Leaving it at idle will take a long time on a frosty morning and the engine will actually be operating for a longer time while cold, thus causing more damage.
Alternatives to block heaters are the Webasto parking heaters that MB offered as options when new. They can be retro fitted, although they are probably quite expensive now.
The worst option of all is a remote starter, as this would of course be just leaving your car at idle.