I suspect this is to do with the age and technology, but my 2008 Golf 1.9 TDi always took ages for the engine to warm up and the heater was also slow to warm up but was great when it got there. The 2013 Audi A3 I have got now (petrol) warms up very quickly indeed, much like the Fiesta ST I had.

Thinking back a few years though, I am sure the 2000 Focus petrol warmed up faster than the 2003 Focus TDCi I later owned. I am just curious and perhaps those with technical know how can help. Do petrol engines warm up faster than equivalent diesels and if so why? LL.B (Hons) - University of Derby
LOT (Lord of Time) - University of Gallifrey

Diesels do generally take longer to get up to working temperature because they are more thermally efficient but our Golf is one of the quickest cars we’ve had (apart from the Evoque) for a quick heat up. Normally blowing warm air after less than a minute. Yours should have done too Doc and I understand they all have electric auxiliary heaters. Perhaps yours wasn’t working or perhaps you have one now that is working on your A3?

Edit: Have a read of this - http://uk-mkivs.net/topic/49719-auxiliary-heater/ Past: FL2 TD4 HSE Auto
Evoque SD4 Dynamic Lux Auto
Present: Audi A3 S Line.

Mines up to temp in about half a mile  my PC is slightly to the right of Genghis
2012 HSE SD4 In Orkney Grey now gone, best car ever.

Interesting stuff Steve. Maybe mine was acting up along with the other issue with loss of power. I’ll see how the A3 gets on when we get our first frosty morning. LL.B (Hons) - University of Derby
LOT (Lord of Time) - University of Gallifrey

My old 2001 petrol fiesta used to heat up within minutes, was fantastic for cold mornings!

About 1.3 km for the petrol engine. Procrastination, mankind's greatest labour saving device!

Acoustic insulation ARB TPMS 3xARB air compressors After cooler Air tank On-board OCD pressure air/water cleaning Additional 50L fuel Carpet in doors ABE 2x1kg Waeco 28L modified fridge Battery 4x26ah Solar 120w Victron MPPT 100/20 DC-DC 18amps 175amp jumper plug Awning 6x255/60R18

In many modern vehicles warm air is often produced early after startup by a PTC heater or equivalent before the engine warms up. So having warm air doesnt mean your engine is all toasty.

The other thing to remember, if worried about engine wear, is that the oil temp will lag behind water temp for some time. However most cars dont have an oil temp gauge and my BMW didnt even have a water temp gauge - which was annoying as it took about 6 miles to get the water warm let alone the oil as monitored by Torque Pro - it was not a car for short runs . Jules