Just got a 2015 Outback, and I love it! This is my first time having a boxer engine. Living in a cold area, I usually let my engine run for a few minutes during winter. But what about when it’s warmer outside? I noticed the engine starts at about 1700 rpm and then falls to around 700 after a few minutes. I couldn’t find any info in the manual. Thanks for your help!
Some folks say warm it till the rpm drops, while others suggest just a minute and then drive away. I go with warming it until my rpm drops.
Axelle said:
Some folks say warm it till the rpm drops, while others suggest just a minute and then drive away. I go with warming it until my rpm drops.
I’m with you on the rpm drop. Just give it a few minutes. Boxers last well when taken care of.
@Vinnie
You’re better off driving it. A cool engine and burning fuel puts more wear on the engine than just hitting the road. Wait for the first small dip in RPM, then just go.
Axelle said:
Some folks say warm it till the rpm drops, while others suggest just a minute and then drive away. I go with warming it until my rpm drops.
Either choice is better than starting and driving cold. The worst thing you can do is start the engine and immediately drive it off cold. Let the oil warm up for better lubrication before you take off.
@Kase
Lubrication happens within seconds. By the time you get in gear, the oil is already circulating.
@Kase
Does that mean using auto-off when stopped is a bad idea?
Axelle said:
Some folks say warm it till the rpm drops, while others suggest just a minute and then drive away. I go with warming it until my rpm drops.
Warming it only till the rpm falls just indicates your catalytic converter is up to temp. It doesn’t tell you about your oil or water temperatures.
If you want your vehicle to last, warm it until those rpm drop or drive really gently for a few minutes. Don’t tow or push the engine until everything is at normal operating temp. Realistically, you should not push it hard until all the fluids are warmed up, not just when the blue coolant light goes off. This could take anywhere between 5 to 20 minutes. If you’re doing calm driving, you can start off as soon as you start it.
@silikmed
Just so you know, I drive my subie like a grandma to reach 300k. Posts like these are gold.
Ellery said:
@silikmed
Just so you know, I drive my subie like a grandma to reach 300k. Posts like these are gold.
As long as you’re keeping up with regular maintenance, you’re going to be just fine!
@silikmed
Great info here! I’ve heard most Subarus have that blue light. Does mine not have it, or might it just be broken?
Xavi said:
@silikmed
Great info here! I’ve heard most Subarus have that blue light. Does mine not have it, or might it just be broken?
I have a 15’ Forester and I’m pretty sure it’s on the 15’ Outback too. It’s just a blue coolant light that appears for a few minutes after a cold start. Your light could be out. Look for the logo on your dash. Edit* Yours definitely does not have the light.
@silikmed
I’ll check it out, but I’m certain it hasn’t lit up since I got it last week.
@silikmed
It’s not on the 15 Outback.
StellarToyota said:
@silikmed
It’s not on the 15 Outback.
Weird. I checked and it used to be on the previous generation Outback but not the previous Forester. Total switch-up.
@silikmed
Realistically, lots of people may not have the time or desire to do this, and they probably won’t notice any extra longevity because they’ll likely trade it in before that becomes relevant.
Jalen said:
@silikmed
Realistically, lots of people may not have the time or desire to do this, and they probably won’t notice any extra longevity because they’ll likely trade it in before that becomes relevant.
I get that, but there’s balance. You can genuinely damage a car over time by rushing, which affects resale value. It’s not hard to drive easy for a few minutes or start a minute early. If you’re in a hurry every day, you might have bigger issues than waiting for your car to warm up.
@silikmed
You’re totally right. If you’re rushing to work tomorrow morning, you’ve got bigger problems than letting your car warm up. Most people just aren’t going to wait—cars are built for starting and driving.
@Jalen
Sure, cars are designed to start and drive. But good driving practices matter. Your engine won’t perform well or last if it’s not warmed up. It shouldn’t be a problem to start your engine and rush to the hospital, but if you drive poorly every time instead of letting it warm up, it will cost you. I can give solid tips all day, but don’t ignore good advice just because you want to make excuses.