• The site migration is complete! Hopefully everything transferred properly from the multiple decades old software we were using before. If you notice any issues please let me know, thanks! Also, I'm still working on things like chatbox, etc so hopefully those will be working in the next week or two.

Cold Weather Warm Up Debate

Chadgervais

Former GP Owner
I know this has been going back and forth in the automotive world for at least 50 years, but what do you think is the best practice for driving a cold engine? From what Ive read here, regardless of outside temp, oil is circulating sufficiently after about 30 seconds, however, the knock sensor does not come online until the engine reaches 158*. Its my understanding that without the KS functioning, its best to avoid taching over 2500.

My engine is definitely "high mileage", closing in on 242k. Per scangauge, I do not have a knock problem, it registers a big fat zero. I do get a little tap/tick on the bitter cold mornings (less than 10F) that goes away within a minute or two of starting the engine.

I recently moved from the city to a rural area. I live on a somewhat busy road with a speed limit of 45(average driver goes 60-65). In order to reach 50-55 quickly, my engine revs to about 3200-3400 before downshifting. I can keep it below 2500, but the acceleration rate is slower than I feel is safe on that road.

I use a scangauge to monitor Coolant temp, Trans temp, Gallons to Empty(bad fuel gauge), and average MPG. Common sense dictates that its stupid to start and immediately get on the engine. With no knock problems, is it bad for the engine to be revved above 3000 before the KS comes online? And is there a particular temperature the engine should be at before I take off?

Naturally, the transmission takes longer to warm up, am I damaging it by taking off while the trans is still cold? Once I arrive at work (15 mile commute), my engine may be about 190 but the trans is still between 100-120.

Thanks.
 
Last edited:


You arent in a high load situation when you are trying to pick up speed while getting onto that road aslong as your not WOT.

So you'll really never see knock even while the motor is cold like that.

If anything, just let the car warm up for 3-5min before you leave that way coolant temp, oil temp will have gone up atleast 30-50 degrees and it not as thick.
 
I let my car warm up for at least 5 minutes. You're fine as long as you don't have a heavy foot while the engine hasn't warmed up. A few minutes warm up is a good idea though.
 
Back
Top