Engine temperature
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2005
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From: Bowling Green, Kentucky
Believe it or not, these cars were made to be driven in cold weather. 
If 32 F outside (or below) I would probably wait about 1 minute. Otherwise probably 1/3 of that.
That being said, I hope you have the correct weight oil for the cold temperature. 10W-30 is ideal, but 15W-40 is also fine. But no straight 30 wt for cold weather.
Larry
If 32 F outside (or below) I would probably wait about 1 minute. Otherwise probably 1/3 of that.
That being said, I hope you have the correct weight oil for the cold temperature. 10W-30 is ideal, but 15W-40 is also fine. But no straight 30 wt for cold weather.
Larry
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From: Fresno California
Seriously? As soon as it starts it is ready to start driving. I'm backing out of the garage as the starter is still disengaging. Believe it or not, it's actually better for the car than to let it sit and run. Of course, some cars are so cold blooded that you HAVE to let them run a few minutes to keep from stalling out.
Le Mans Master
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Seriously? As soon as it starts it is ready to start driving. I'm backing out of the garage as the starter is still disengaging. Believe it or not, it's actually better for the car than to let it sit and run. Of course, some cars are so cold blooded that you HAVE to let them run a few minutes to keep from stalling out.
Treat the car the way you get out of bed. You get up, start, get in the shower, and drive off.
dan
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It depends what you mean by "cold", but in most cases you can drive away as soon as the engine stabilizes at its normal cold fast idle speed, even in sub-zero weather. The key is to drive slowly. Don't put a lot of load on the engine and don't rev it over 2000 to 2500 or go over about 25 MPH until you see the temp gage needle begin to move up.
If you live in a typical residential area this is usually easy to do especially if it is fairly flat. Steep hills are not good, and if you live a quarter mile away from your favorite freeway onramp, find another route of at least one mile. In mild or higher ambient temperatures, say at least 50F, and a properly operating cooling system including the thermostat. the engine should be at or near thermostat opening temp within a few minutes/a couple of miles. but the engilne, transmission, and axle oil temperatures will take a few more miles/minutes to achieve typical operating temperature.
Make sure your engine oil grade is suitable for the lowest "typical" cold start' temperature; 15W-40 CK-4 is okay for consistent cold starts down to 15-20F and occasionally lower, but few drive their vintage Corvettes when it gets that cold. If you drive it in sub-zero weather use 5W-40 CK-4, which is a "synthetic".
Duke
If you live in a typical residential area this is usually easy to do especially if it is fairly flat. Steep hills are not good, and if you live a quarter mile away from your favorite freeway onramp, find another route of at least one mile. In mild or higher ambient temperatures, say at least 50F, and a properly operating cooling system including the thermostat. the engine should be at or near thermostat opening temp within a few minutes/a couple of miles. but the engilne, transmission, and axle oil temperatures will take a few more miles/minutes to achieve typical operating temperature.
Make sure your engine oil grade is suitable for the lowest "typical" cold start' temperature; 15W-40 CK-4 is okay for consistent cold starts down to 15-20F and occasionally lower, but few drive their vintage Corvettes when it gets that cold. If you drive it in sub-zero weather use 5W-40 CK-4, which is a "synthetic".
Duke
Last edited by SWCDuke; Nov 25, 2020 at 09:28 AM.
Le Mans Master
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From: Las Vegas - Just stop perpetuating myths please.
Don't rev it any higher than it needs to drive it. But low rpm ain't gonna hurt a small block chevy even when cold. Now if your starting in sub-zero weather all the time a thinner/light weight oil like 5W30 makes sense - engine heaters too.
Usually the windows fogging and the cold air from the heater vents is what the bigger problem of driving in cold weather is rather than any engine limitations. But since you don't reveal your location in your profile you shouldn't expect much specific help. And since you don't participate in your own thread what already been said is kind'a over kill.
Usually the windows fogging and the cold air from the heater vents is what the bigger problem of driving in cold weather is rather than any engine limitations. But since you don't reveal your location in your profile you shouldn't expect much specific help. And since you don't participate in your own thread what already been said is kind'a over kill.