Warm up engine during sub zero temperatures question
Discussion
Tuscan is currently tucked up in the garage under cover from the icy weather, and hasn't moved in three weeks.
I have had the battery conditioner connected to ensure she should start OK.
I would welcome your view on whether it is a good idea to start the engine and let it idle/tick over for a few minutes to warm it up or, should I just leave her be until the weather improves enough to take her for a careful drive.
Thanks for your help.
I have had the battery conditioner connected to ensure she should start OK.
I would welcome your view on whether it is a good idea to start the engine and let it idle/tick over for a few minutes to warm it up or, should I just leave her be until the weather improves enough to take her for a careful drive.
Thanks for your help.
blueg33 said:
I know idling it is bad. I am trying to reconcile the potential damage road salt can cause with the benefit of taking the car on a 1.5 hour each way run to Winchester on friday
You know you want to! Just make sure you get the chassis waxoyled soon (if it hasn't already).Edited by blueg33 on Tuesday 7th December 20:58
blueg33 said:
I know idling it is bad. I am trying to reconcile the potential damage road salt can cause with the benefit of taking the car on a 1.5 hour each way run to Winchester on friday.
From the car's point of view leave it in the garage but if you include the size of the smile on your face in the benefit side then only you will know. (Unless of course you thoroughly clean and polish the car inc chassis on your return.)JR said:
blueg33 said:
I know idling it is bad. I am trying to reconcile the potential damage road salt can cause with the benefit of taking the car on a 1.5 hour each way run to Winchester on friday.
From the car's point of view leave it in the garage but if you include the size of the smile on your face in the benefit side then only you will know. (Unless of course you thoroughly clean and polish the car inc chassis on your return.)So its a very tough decision
Just my opinion but I would leave it. I spent alot of time getting my car to decent condition and I don't have all the time in the world to ensure the chassis is clean after trips in the sodium chloride. Plus all taps etc will be frozen solid in this weather.
Wait for spring and then use the ho like it's going out of style.
Wait for spring and then use the ho like it's going out of style.
Because the oil is cold and thick at startup it takes some pressure to get it around the galleries, especially to the head and valvegear. At tickover the pressure is quite low, driving it, even gently, raises the oil pressure and ensures proper lubrication - check out the oil pressure figures and you'll see what I mean.
Of course, the flip side is that whilst oil is cold it doesn't flow very well which is why we have to be gentle until the oil warms up.
J
Of course, the flip side is that whilst oil is cold it doesn't flow very well which is why we have to be gentle until the oil warms up.
J
pje1210 said:
Sorry to high jack the thread, but why is bad to leave the car idling, i dont drive my Tuscan for long period's so i alway try to start her up and leave on idle for 10 mins ir so just keep everything oiled up
Loads of recent threads on this, no doubt due to the current weather!Concensus, is that idling does not warm the oil up quickly enough, or circulates it as well as a careful drive. I believe the main concern with the Sp.6 engine is getting oil to the top end as soon as possible - so normal varying revs in driving is the best way.
Nick
pje1210 said:
Sorry to high jack the thread, but why is bad to leave the car idling, i dont drive my Tuscan for long period's so i alway try to start her up and leave on idle for 10 mins ir so just keep everything oiled up
Loads of recent threads on this, no doubt due to the current weather!Concensus, is that idling does not warm the oil up quickly enough, or circulates it as well as a careful drive. I believe the main concern with the Sp.6 engine is getting oil to the top end as soon as possible - so normal varying revs in driving is the best way.
Nick
nawarne said:
pje1210 said:
Sorry to high jack the thread, but why is bad to leave the car idling, i dont drive my Tuscan for long period's so i alway try to start her up and leave on idle for 10 mins ir so just keep everything oiled up
Loads of recent threads on this, no doubt due to the current weather!Concensus, is that idling does not warm the oil up quickly enough, or circulates it as well as a careful drive. I believe the main concern with the Sp.6 engine is getting oil to the top end as soon as possible - so normal varying revs in driving is the best way.
Use it! Took mine to Belgium and back on Sunday. 450 miles in a day, frost warning going off both going (4 am start) and coming back, no problems. Yes, it's now covered in salt spray, but I'll probably wash it off at the weekend, and I don't think it will dissolve into iron oxide dust in the meantime...
Upside, it was much more fun than taking my other car, half the other Eurotunnel passengers came to look at it, and I'm not wondering why I spent so much money on something that just sits in the garage.
These cars (like any other) will rust if you don't use them and will rust if you do, the difference is in how much enjoyment you get from them in beforehand. It will cost more in the long run to fix problems that result from not using it for long periods than the cost of having the chassis outrigger repaired when the time comes.
Get the chassis well treated and waxoiled and enjoy!
Upside, it was much more fun than taking my other car, half the other Eurotunnel passengers came to look at it, and I'm not wondering why I spent so much money on something that just sits in the garage.
These cars (like any other) will rust if you don't use them and will rust if you do, the difference is in how much enjoyment you get from them in beforehand. It will cost more in the long run to fix problems that result from not using it for long periods than the cost of having the chassis outrigger repaired when the time comes.
Get the chassis well treated and waxoiled and enjoy!
I was thinking about this the other day.......
Lets say I cold start up, drive off, pull up to the end of the road (which is about 150m) pull out into severe traffic, so car is idling like it could on the drive for 15mins+, maybe doing 2mph.... will this cause wear??
If so.... seems Im best pulling over, switching off and going home for a cuppa while the traiffic clears.
If not.... what would be wrong in cold starting up, driving up the road and back, leaving to warm up on the drive before going out for a
I don't do either..... but... food for thought
Lets say I cold start up, drive off, pull up to the end of the road (which is about 150m) pull out into severe traffic, so car is idling like it could on the drive for 15mins+, maybe doing 2mph.... will this cause wear??
If so.... seems Im best pulling over, switching off and going home for a cuppa while the traiffic clears.
If not.... what would be wrong in cold starting up, driving up the road and back, leaving to warm up on the drive before going out for a
I don't do either..... but... food for thought
I'm 100% with NorkolkSteve on this one. These things generally run better if they are used frequently and looked after properly. A bit of salt sprey from the road will not dissolve your car overnight like a tooth in a glass of Cola (apparently) does and leave you with just the plastic parts of your pride and joy!!
Make sure it is waxoiled before the winter and hosed down at some point after going out if it is wet and salty and you should not have any problems.
Your more likley to have problems of one sort or another after a long period of non-use (flat battery, seized clutch plate, rough running and so on).
Heck - I took mine out for a photo shoot in the snow recently! Enjoy your car 12 months a year... you (and your car) deserve it.....!
Oh, and I'm in the 'start it up and drive it carefully until the oil is warned up' camp!!
Make sure it is waxoiled before the winter and hosed down at some point after going out if it is wet and salty and you should not have any problems.
Your more likley to have problems of one sort or another after a long period of non-use (flat battery, seized clutch plate, rough running and so on).
Heck - I took mine out for a photo shoot in the snow recently! Enjoy your car 12 months a year... you (and your car) deserve it.....!
Oh, and I'm in the 'start it up and drive it carefully until the oil is warned up' camp!!
I use mine in all weathers. My startup from very cold (i.e oil is showing below 0degC) is to start it, hold the revs at 1200-1500 rpm until the water temp has gone up 10degC, and then just gently drive it (at normal road speeds) until it's fully up to temp. Works a treat.
I've had by car fully waxoyled so not worried about the salt. Been doing this for 5 years now and the car is in tip top condition, including the chassis.
They're not that fragile you know and much prefer regular use!
I've had by car fully waxoyled so not worried about the salt. Been doing this for 5 years now and the car is in tip top condition, including the chassis.
They're not that fragile you know and much prefer regular use!
Oil is graded for working temperature, some for hot working temperatures some for cold,
Check with your oil manufacturers against the grade you use,make sure it suits the temps your car is in then operate the car as normal? in my opinion
Or option 2: put the summer car away and use an appropriate vehicle for the winter weather conditions.
Option 3: take your beloved away on a holiday to a far away land where the sun shines and abuse it to the max.
Check with your oil manufacturers against the grade you use,make sure it suits the temps your car is in then operate the car as normal? in my opinion
Or option 2: put the summer car away and use an appropriate vehicle for the winter weather conditions.
Option 3: take your beloved away on a holiday to a far away land where the sun shines and abuse it to the max.
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