engine revving at start up? Normal?

[meerkat]

I'm not sure if this is the right place to put this, but I am certainly the first to admit that I am not a car person -as in I have no idea how the physical car mechanics work, -other than I turn the key, and off I go....so the answer to this could be obvious!

I have a 2011 GS and I have noticed that ever since I got the car that every time I turn on the engine, it revs for maybe 15-25 seconds. It seems to be a different length of time each time. I thought maybe it had something to do with the AC but it does not seem to as it happens regardless of whether the AC is on or not at engine start. Side ? -should AC be turned off prior to engine start or does that matter?

Yesterday when I had started the engine at home (had not driven it at all)-parked outside, and I had the radio off so could hear what was happening and it sounded a bit like an airplane was taking off and this was after the initial rev up at start up. If this is normal, then all is well with the world...but my previous car never did this so I am not sure if this is to be expected!?

[09ms3]

sounds normal to me provided it is not revving too high... by too high mean over 2500 rpm for an extended period

[XTOTHEL]

normal from cold start

[dentinger]

normal from cold start

this. the engine needs to get warm asap to operate properly, so the revs will be higher for a bit. this is more noticeable in winter. my mazda would hang at 2.5k rpms for ages.

[Cab0oze]

this. the engine needs to get warm asap to operate properly, so the revs will be higher for a bit. this is more noticeable in winter. my mazda would hang at 2.5k rpms for ages.

This. In fact, it really concerned me for a while because it doesn't seem normal (compared to other cars i've driven) but it is.

[Flunk]

This is normal for small displacement, high compression ratio cars. It really freaked me out initially being used to driving American cars with huge engines.

I'm now in the habit of starting the car immediately upon entering to give it more time to warm up.

[meerkat]

Thanks, glad it was not just me!

[sarujo]

2010 Sport GX 5MT and I experience this as well. I find that it's not as bad as when I first bought the car, but having around 25,000km and synthetic fluids, she starts up around 1250rpm and then quickly settles down to around 1k. Even with my old car I always let it idle 30 seconds before moving, to make sure the oil has sufficiently splashed around. This is especially important in winter freezing temps - take it easy while she warms up.