merchauser

I start my car and drive off making sure not to rev above 3k until temp gauge reaches normal operating level.

is this correct, or is it better to let car idle for a while before driving? does it matter what ambient temp is?

LexVan

You are correct.

SwayBar

You are spot on, keep it up!

fiatrn

I was reading a book about V4 Honda motorcycles, and Honda mentioned that for their testing, they would warm the bikes up to full operating temperature. They supposedly got 30,000 miles out of an oil change! No blipping the throttle or driving, just idling in place. This isn't really reasonable for a usable automobile, though!

Mike Murphy

Speedtoys

Cars arent bikes.

Idling where is actually gets cold..never fully warms the engine up..and the longer it takes to warm, the more it wears...cold things are smaller, wear is higher.

Otto Mechanic

With the exception of water.

It's really the thermal coefficient of the engaged materials. As long as the thermal coefficient is the same, the materials expand and contract equally with changes in temperature. Problems occur when the coefficients differ.

Mongo

I just start mine up, wait a minute and then drive it, loading the engine up to 2500-3000 RPM before letting the transmission shift itself to the next gear.

In cases where it sits for months, I give it about 2 minutes so the oil gets up into the chain tensioners before going for a drive.

ericmeds

Yes! lots of oil to warm for such a sized engine. When I do my oil changes I extract 8.5 quarts and there are about 10.5 total for 3.x liter.

Definitely takes me awhile to warm as well. When I have it in winter storage and want to bring it to OT, I generally end up idling the car for nearly an hour haha!

belgiumbarry

i was told to drive and keep it under 3K , not only until temp gauge at normal operating , but also until oil pressure has dropped at idle at "3 bar" . Then we may floor it....

TheoJ

Correct, as soon as pressure is under 3 bar the oil is on operating temperature. I keep the engine below 3000 as much as possible. More like 2000-2500 rpm
regards, T
1992 GTS in the Netherlands.

Jim M.

When you idle the engine you're warming up the oil, but you're doing nothing for the transmission or the rear end oil. That's why Porsche recommends driving off immediately, but keeping the RPM below 3,000.

worf928

THIS ——^ x 928.

Keep revs *and* load moderate.

GUMBALL

I have always been told by our engine builders that from start-up, bring idle up to about 2000 RPM and hold. No revving, no load. This ensures that sufficient oil gets to the cams and other engine parts.
When temp gauge comes "off the peg", then drive gently at revs under 3000 RPM until you have oil temp.

Mike Murphy

This might work, but it seems like just driving the car and keeping revs from 2000-3000 would warm the engine faster, better, better gas mileage, less pollution, saves time.