Cold start methodology
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Racer
Joined: May 2021
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Cold start methodology
Trying to figure out what most people do re the cold start. Assuming car carefully broken in, do people run the full cold start while car is stationary or do folks take it out on road (assuming not going to go straight to highway speeds) before it winds down to normal revs? Again, assuming car broken in, does it matter much?
Thanks.
Thanks.
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Don't let the car idle.
Just start it up, and drive. Keep the RPMs below 4k until engine oil is warmed up. Usually around 220F(105C) in normal mode and lower at around 212F (100C) in sport mode.
Just start it up, and drive. Keep the RPMs below 4k until engine oil is warmed up. Usually around 220F(105C) in normal mode and lower at around 212F (100C) in sport mode.
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Start up. Back out of my garage. Close garage door. Connect radar detector. Drive. This is a 30 second process. I don't like to let it idle. Many people smarter than me when it comes to motors suggest not letting them idle.
I will say though, I think there's a lot of things that will destroy a motor or cause the need for a rebuild prior to letting it idle for too long at startup. So I don't think this is the most important factor.
Enjoy.
I will say though, I think there's a lot of things that will destroy a motor or cause the need for a rebuild prior to letting it idle for too long at startup. So I don't think this is the most important factor.
Enjoy.
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From: Chicagoland Area
Cold start. Start engine. Put on seat belt. Make any cabin adjustments. Sunglasses. By now, after about 60-90 seconds, the car has come off high idle. Drive off. Stay under 4k till oil hits 180.
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Yep, 180 F is what I shoot for. I dont get how some people shoot for 212 F or higher. Seriously? Its not easy to get the oil up to that temp just driving normally
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Piling on with the other comments: Start it up, seat belt on, and immediately back out of garage - and keep RPMs low until up to temp. I’m pretty sure the owners manual says to “drive off immediately” as well.
I used to warm up my car by letting it idle until the coolant needle moved a tick, but have not done that in 15+ years at this point.
I used to warm up my car by letting it idle until the coolant needle moved a tick, but have not done that in 15+ years at this point.
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I’ve had other performance cars, BMW M3, Lotus etc.that had lights that indicated when the oil was at minimum operating temp. Simply drive normally until oil has reached temp before aggressive driving.