rao Posted February 16, 2011 Share Posted February 16, 2011 The way I see it you have 2 choices - either don't start the car at all during the cold months, or start it and don't shut it off during the cold months. Rob IF YOU CARE ABOUT YOUR CAR YOU SHOULD NEVER DRIVE IT Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
black318i Posted February 16, 2011 Share Posted February 16, 2011 Idle long enough circulate oil then drive it normal and try to keep it under 3K until fully warmed up. The engine will warm up quicker under load and there should be no flow or lubrication issue with a multi weight oil. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SpecBGuy Posted February 16, 2011 Share Posted February 16, 2011 my car warms up when im caught on red light or traffic in the morning also as everyone said drive slow til its warmed up then let her loose Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DirtyDan Posted February 16, 2011 Share Posted February 16, 2011 I keep my car in a garage at night, so even when it's -10 outside, the car's in 40+ degrees. When it's cold, I always start the car, buckle up, check everything so when I start moving it's run for a minute or so, then take it easy till the cold light goes off. This is the first car I've driven that has heated seats, my wife has had them for years. I likem. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fonts Posted February 16, 2011 Share Posted February 16, 2011 The way I see it you have 2 choices - either don't start the car at all during the cold months, or start it and don't shut it off during the cold months. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
05LGTLtd Posted February 16, 2011 Share Posted February 16, 2011 Usually let it idle for 1 min then drive easy to operating temp. Sometimes if it's colder out I'll idle for 2-3min. I wait two or more minutes after the needle hits it's spot on the temp gauge prior to pushing any boost. All I need now is a hill holder and a center passing light... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lownotslow Posted February 16, 2011 Share Posted February 16, 2011 I let it idle until the coolant reaches 50 degree (only takes a minute or so even when it's 5 degrees out) and then I drive gently until I see 170 degrees. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RJS5689 Posted February 17, 2011 Author Share Posted February 17, 2011 Actually that statement is incorrect. It's called Multi-Viscosity or Multi-grade oils. You should look into it. The oil flows more efficiently at operating temperature. Your engine will be adequately "lubericated" at any temperature. So do you stand by your method because you think its what you should do or is it because it is a scientifically proven method? And once again, motor oil isn't the only fluid in the car that needs warming. EDIT: Oil has polar additives causing it to cling to engine parts after shut down. Cold oil lubricates better as it is more viscous and provides a thicker film between moving parts. On the other hand it doesn't flow as well (which is a very relative statement) as hot oil which on the same hand doesn't lubricate as well because it is thinner due to its lower viscosity. That's some good info to know. I really don't know much about oil so I figured I'd see what other people do. As I said, I don't let my car sit and warm up. I hope in it and take it real easy until it's warm. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rao Posted February 17, 2011 Share Posted February 17, 2011 Actually that statement is incorrect. It's called Multi-Viscosity or Multi-grade oils. You should look into it. The oil flows more efficiently at operating temperature. Your engine will be adequately "lubericated" at any temperature. So do you stand by your method because you think its what you should do or is it because it is a scientifically proven method? And once again, motor oil isn't the only fluid in the car that needs warming. EDIT: Oil has polar additives causing it to cling to engine parts after shut down. Cold oil lubricates better as it is more viscous and provides a thicker film between moving parts. On the other hand it doesn't flow as well (which is a very relative statement) as hot oil which on the same hand doesn't lubricate as well because it is thinner due to its lower viscosity. So now I have to worry about what to do in the summer also Rob IF YOU CARE ABOUT YOUR CAR YOU SHOULD NEVER DRIVE IT Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mega Users LieutenantDan Posted February 17, 2011 Mega Users Share Posted February 17, 2011 Yeah, I think all cars should come with a lifetime supply of anti-depressants. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rao Posted February 17, 2011 Share Posted February 17, 2011 The only safe thing to do is not drive the car. Rob IF YOU CARE ABOUT YOUR CAR YOU SHOULD NEVER DRIVE IT Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wang Lung Posted February 17, 2011 Share Posted February 17, 2011 rao is right, of course, but I'm a lazy bastard and don't want to walk. And the bus won't let me smoke cigars en route. FWIW, I wait for the blue light to go off before I put it in gear. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mega Users LieutenantDan Posted February 17, 2011 Mega Users Share Posted February 17, 2011 Yours has a blue light?!?!?! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chillij715 Posted February 17, 2011 Share Posted February 17, 2011 wouldnt the exhaust heat up the tranny a lil while sitting for a few min. when i get in my car the shifter is harder to move then when it sits for 5 min and i can get it in gear alot easier. mayb my sh*ts just f**ked Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tygerr Posted February 17, 2011 Share Posted February 17, 2011 I keep my car in a garage at night, so even when it's -10 outside, the car's in 40+ degrees. When it's cold, I always start the car, buckle up, check everything so when I start moving it's run for a minute or so, then take it easy till the cold light goes off. This is exactly what I do. I get in and write down my mileage for work and then start going, but keeping it under 3k until the temp gauge warms up. x2 for heated seats! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ClimberDHexMods Posted February 17, 2011 Share Posted February 17, 2011 What about a setup like with formula 1 cars where the oil and/or coolant is circulated through exterior heaters so it's at operating temp BEFORE the car is started? Now that is a good idea for the LGT. You could do it for all fluids. ATF, front diff, rear diff, windshield wiper fluid. Oh and power steering fluid... AT guys could just combine the ATF and power steering fluid supply... [CENTER][B][I] Front Limited Slip Racing Differentials for the 5EAT now available for $1895 shipped, please inquire for details! [/I][/B][/CENTER] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
05LGTLtd Posted February 17, 2011 Share Posted February 17, 2011 The only safe thing to do is not drive the car. Wouldn't you be better off not owning the car in the first place? All I need now is a hill holder and a center passing light... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RJS5689 Posted February 17, 2011 Author Share Posted February 17, 2011 Yours has a blue light?!?!?! Vehicles with SI-drive have a blue light to indicate when the vehicle is warm enough to change "modes." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ShrinerMonkey Posted February 17, 2011 Share Posted February 17, 2011 Never. Waste of gas and car will warm up faster if you just drive it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ak17072001 Posted February 17, 2011 Share Posted February 17, 2011 I want to add one argument into the mix. This again, baring in mind most of you don't get as cold as I do. I routinely see -40F or colder in the wintertime and no, I never keep a car garaged but outside. With 95% of cars I drove, even if the car would be ok to drive immediately from a mechanical standpoint, it's going to fog up in traffic. To me, that's a huge safety hazard against not letting the car warm up. I had it so bad where I had to do an emergency stop or stick my head out the window and drive at -40F as I literally could not see anything due to the glass being fogged up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mega Users LieutenantDan Posted February 17, 2011 Mega Users Share Posted February 17, 2011 Are you currently residing on the moon? That is cold man Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ak17072001 Posted February 17, 2011 Share Posted February 17, 2011 Central Alaska . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BMG905 Posted February 17, 2011 Share Posted February 17, 2011 I put mine in second gear and hold it there until I reach the main road from my house, about a mile. By the time I get to the main road the needle is coming off the C and I can feel some warm air starting to come out off the vents. It's about another mile to the highway and the car is pretty much up to operating temp by that time. If it's really cold (<10 degrees F) I give the car about 2 minutes before I leave my driveway. My previous Legacy, a '98 GT, was a solid lifter engine and would make a wicked clattering noise until it was fully warm. My '06 make almost no noise unless it's been sitting for extended periods. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tygerr Posted February 18, 2011 Share Posted February 18, 2011 I want to add one argument into the mix. This again, baring in mind most of you don't get as cold as I do. I routinely see -40F or colder in the wintertime and no, I never keep a car garaged but outside. With 95% of cars I drove, even if the car would be ok to drive immediately from a mechanical standpoint, it's going to fog up in traffic. To me, that's a huge safety hazard against not letting the car warm up. I had it so bad where I had to do an emergency stop or stick my head out the window and drive at -40F as I literally could not see anything due to the glass being fogged up. This is one of the major benefits of a garage. I never have this issue. I'm really surprised living in Alaska you don't have one. I would literally build one in my front yard if I had to go out into weather that cold. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BL_Soldier Posted February 18, 2011 Share Posted February 18, 2011 I let the car warm up on negative days here in colorado. Because I get up early for pt in the mornings, its still dark and the windows need to be cleared for me to safely drive on base. I hate shifting through molasses, which goes away once the car has been idling on its own. I work just over a mile or so from where I live so the car really doesn't get to get up to operating temperature in that short of a distance if I just get in and go. Also, if I just try to get in and go, the car fights me. Belts whine, the engine says "NO!" and shuts off. Sometimes it takes a good 4-5 tries and holding the gas pedal down to 15k-2k to get the engine oil to start circulating AND I have to leave the clutch out otherwise the car dies anyway. No I don't have the luxury of a garage. I'd have a bunch of snap on toolboxes if I did lol. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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