No device – no information
Many vehicles do not have a coolant temperature gauge. Examples include the previous generation Kia Rio (in budget trim levels), Nissan Note, Chevrolet Aveo and Cobalt.
True, some cars (e.g. Rio) have a cold engine indicator (blue icon). When it goes out (this happens when the temperature reaches 50 as regardsC) – the engine is warmed up and ready to run at full power.
Some models have a pointer – but not an arrow, but a graphic one. And often quite uninformative. For example, on almost all Renault-Nissan models, a shell of several rectangles is displayed (they are also called “chocolates”). And it is not clear what temperature such a “tile” shows.
The Kia Rio’s instrument panel displays the outside air temperature, but not the engine. Apparently, the manufacturer does not think this information is very important for the driver.
At extra cost
You get reliable information about the temperature of the engine by installing an on-board computer. It takes data from the OBD II diagnostic connector.
Or connect a simple adapter like ELM 327 to the same connector to view the temperature from the smartphone screen.
Regular alternative
Need keep an eye on the tachometer, which is installed on almost all cars. Immediately after starting the engine, it indicates 1200–1500 rpm. And as it gets warmer, the speed gradually drops to 650-800 per minute.
Until now, it is advisable to warm up the engine of a stationary car. After all, an increased idle speed indicates that the engine management system is preparing an enriched mixture, which intensively washes oil from the cylinder walls. And if you put a heavier load on the engine parts without an oil film on them (it is enough to overcome the snow shaft that the snow plows piled up when leaving the parking lot) – there is a great risk of wear on the working surfaces.
How to accelerate warm-up safely?
With the car stationary, you can gently press the accelerator pedal a few minutes after starting the engine to increase the speed to about 2000 per minute. Such work without load will not bring any harm, and warming up will accelerate it.
Not only the engine, but also automatic transmissions and CVTs need to be warmed up. It makes sense to engage D or R and hold the car with the brakes.