TIL letting my ATV warm up for 5 minutes actually saves fuel

I used to just start my Honda and go, but last month I timed it on a cold morning and the engine ran smoother after idling for 5 minutes. Took a full day at Hatfield-McCoy trails and used half a tank less than usual. Has anyone else noticed a difference with warm ups?

2 comments

2 Comments

jason5621mo ago

Man, I feel you on this. A good warm up makes a huge difference on cold starts, especially with carbureted engines.

sandraf8426d ago

1996 Kawasaki Prairie 360 here, and I swear by a 3-5 minute idle on cold mornings. @jason562 is right about the carbs, but I also found that letting it warm helps the oil circulate better, which saved me from a sticky valve once. Last deer season I started my buddy's Yamaha Kodiak without warming it up and it bogged out on the first steep hill. Your mileage may vary, but I've seen enough to never skip the warm up again.