In an ironic turn of events, the temperature dropped here in Chicago this
past week . . . rendering my van unable to start!

Yep. Battery got zapped.

So after all of the great advice and insight into how long to "warm up" . .
. I can't put any of it into practice!

I have a feeling that this van is going to be an adventure!

:o)

Time to learn me some basic mechanics . . .

Matt
'90 GL "Blackbeard" (currently taking a winter's nap)

Start the engine, and drive away gently when it is running smoothly (a
matter of several seconds while the spark plugs come up to operating
temperature) - this is according to owners manuals for just about every
car built since the 60's, fuel injection or not.
Think of it this way: The worst thing for an engine (after the act of
starting itself) is to run while cold. The engine must warm up and
everything expand for tolerances to come into spec. Not to mention
running rich, washing cylinders with fuel and diluting oil on carb
cars.
Operating without a load takes forever to warm up, so minimize the
amount of time your engine is running "out of spec" by putting a light
load on it - by driving away gently. My 650,000 mile '63 Land Cruiser
Pickup agrees.
Mike