Aaron,

The best thing for it is to jump in and go but go slowly for the first couple minutes.  Driving it for 5 minutes and shutting it off is one of the worst things that you can do as it will not get warm for a long enough period to rid itself of the condensation that accumulates every time you shut it off.  If you are forced into this short distance driving you can mitigate some of the ill affects by taking the van for a long drive at least once a week to allow the moisture inside your engines lubrication system to evaporate.  You should also look at what temperature range it will be operating in, below `20F it is best to install an engine heater both for the van and the environment.

Mark in AK

----- Original Message -----
From: Aaron Pearson <aarondpearson@HOTMAIL.COM>
Date: Wednesday, January 24, 2007 5:37 pm
Subject: Re: Dumb question-Warming up?
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM

> i'm interested, too.  also: would your answer change if you only 
> planned to
> drive it for 5 minutes, and then leave it sitting in the cold all day?
> 
> aaron
> '87 syncro westy ej22
> 
> 
> >From: Matt Drew <t3vanagon@GMAIL.COM>
> >Reply-To: Matt Drew <t3vanagon@GMAIL.COM>
> >To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> >Subject: Dumb question-Warming up?
> >Date: Wed, 24 Jan 2007 18:04:43 -0600
> >
> >And I ONLY ask this because I have of late heard conflicting 
> statements.>
> >SO I ask YOU, the experts. . .
> >
> >How long do YOU let your brick warm-up in the winter?
> >
> >I've heard 10 minutes, 5 minutes, and even "it's not good to let 
> them idle
> >cold".
> >
> >
> >Just want to make sure (although I don't drive it much at ALL in the
> >winter)
> >that I'm not doing accidental damage.
> >
> >Thanks!
> >
> >Matt
> >
> >'90 GL "Blackbeard"
> 
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