Idling the Engine - Survey

[saabby]

I have read that the engine should be idled after a (hard) run.
Who are we kidding, when is it not a hard run
So my question is:

Who actually idles their car for 2 minutes after a good hard run?

I do unless I am in a huge rush where I reduce the engine (ie turbo) load as I approach my destination.

[Transporter]

I do and always recommended it, especially in the hot weather. The best is to just cruise for 5km or so, before you switch the engine off, in that case I just idle it for 30s (only in +35degC, though).

[gavs]

Well, unless you're constantly running your engine above 3500 rpm when the turbo takes over at full song (yes, below that it is still spooling but is not at full operating speed etc) then if you're driving along at anywhere around 2000rpm or below, then that's probably just as good. I used to have a turbo timer on my 4wd when I had it because I was told it helped the turbo to "spool down" instead of coming to a dead stop. I believed this until 1 day I was reparing the intake system and turned off the engine while I could see the compressor wheel, little did I know, turbos actually have bearings in them to run smoother and these bearings keep the turbo running untill it reaches a stop (yes, that's sarcasm!)..

My question is, what ACTUAL effect, not heresay or opinions, but what actual effect, does not running the engine for a further minute after stopping have on the turbo? The guys at turbo engineering in thomastown have been building their own custom turbos for night on 30 years and when they told my girlfriend's dad that there was no need for a turbo timer on his custom 100 series setup, it's always made me think more about it.....

[johnw]

I think its just to keep the oil flowing through it for cooling/lubricating purposes while it cools from "red" hot.
I just turn my car off as the last thing I do after fannying with other things, just before I walk away from the car.

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[Vaku]

yeah I usually baby it 5min or so before I get home or to work.. but if I have to use a bit of power for some reason I usually let it sit for 30sec-1min, then you hear the radiator fans going for another 30 sec or something also (after shut off)

[broxigar1983]

...I just turn my car off as the last thing I do after fannying with other things, just before I walk away from the car.

Same here. I let it run for about 10-30 seconds while getting ready to leave the car or listening to something interesting on the radio.

[easeup]

I've read that it's a good thing to do, and seeing as i always flog my poor cars, i've always given them a minute or two to idle after i reach the place i'm going. Easy in the new GTI as the RNS510 keeps you so entertained

[Greg Roles]

Drive easy for the last few minutes prior to destination.