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What Oil Temp do you wait for before....

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Old Sep 26, 2002 | 10:28 AM
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Default What Oil Temp do you wait for before....

You drive WOT? I've been waiting to hit about 180 deg, and then its WOT!

Curious as to what you guys think is a safe temp before gettin on it :)
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Old Sep 26, 2002 | 10:49 AM
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Default Re: What Oil Temp do you wait for before.... (y2k02c5)

150 degrees.

- Mark
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Old Sep 26, 2002 | 10:56 AM
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Default Re: What Oil Temp do you wait for before.... (y2k02c5)

I usually go by 180, but in an emergency I may go at 160 or above.
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Old Sep 26, 2002 | 11:09 AM
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Default Re: What Oil Temp do you wait for before.... (jschindler)

I'm not implying that it's a good idea to not wait until the car is properly warmed up, but doesn't the PCM take things like this into consideration when deciding what to do when you stomp it? It's not like you control the throttle - you merely make requests to the PCM.... :confused:

Just to be clear, I wholeheartedly agree that it's best to take it easy until the engine warms up.
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Old Sep 26, 2002 | 11:34 AM
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Default Re: What Oil Temp do you wait for before.... (y2k02c5)

180, or at least close to it ...
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Old Sep 26, 2002 | 11:40 AM
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Default Re: What Oil Temp do you wait for before.... (pburant)

I'm not implying that it's a good idea to not wait until the car is properly warmed up, but doesn't the PCM take things like this into consideration when deciding what to do when you stomp it? It's not like you control the throttle - you merely make requests to the PCM.... :confused:

Just to be clear, I wholeheartedly agree that it's best to take it easy until the engine warms up.
The issue is bearing and piston ring clearances, and the temp of the valve springs, among other things. Spinning to a high rpm with out letting all of these different parts getting into the proper clearances just doesn't make for the best long term wear. The PCM never keeps you from spinning to redline, even when the car is stone cold.

While it's likely that with todays thinner oils (5W-30) and more exacting clearances that you won't have a problem anyway, it just seems prudent that in a car that is likely to be driven harder throughout it's life than a typical car, we should go the extra mile to make sure we do everything possible to make sure we warm it up properly.
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Old Sep 26, 2002 | 11:48 AM
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Default Re: What Oil Temp do you wait for before.... (jschindler)

The issue is bearing and piston ring clearances, and the temp of the valve springs, among other things. Spinning to a high rpm with out letting all of these different parts getting into the proper clearances just doesn't make for the best long term wear. The PCM never keeps you from spinning to redline, even when the car is stone cold.

While it's likely that with todays thinner oils (5W-30) and more exacting clearances that you won't have a problem anyway, it just seems prudent that in a car that is likely to be driven harder throughout it's life than a typical car, we should go the extra mile to make sure we do everything possible to make sure we warm it up properly.
That makes a lot of sense and I agree with it.

My question is, then, is it bad to go WOT before warmup as long as you don't rev the motor above 3500-4000rpm?
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Old Sep 26, 2002 | 12:39 PM
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Default Re: What Oil Temp do you wait for before.... (y2k02c5)

It's still a mechanical device (albeit maybe one of the greatest ones ever strung together by hourly labor). I think its makes sense to put several miles on the car to allow the transmission and rear to come up to operating temps before hammering the thing!
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Old Sep 26, 2002 | 04:14 PM
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Default Re: What Oil Temp do you wait for before.... (y2k02c5)

180... :cheers:
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Old Sep 26, 2002 | 04:32 PM
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Default Re: What Oil Temp do you wait for before.... (Buckmaster)

150 degrees.

- Mark


It's kind of funny that most cars have no oil temp readout, and yet owners everywhere are going WOT at temps well below 180F. Many of these owners are getting 200,000+ miles out of their engines without any problems. Remember when many of us would warm-up our engines for 10 minutes before driving off? Granted, we should not start the engine anf gun the gas, but I think some of us are getting a liiiiitle bit too cautious with an engine that runs 5W-30 synthetic motor oil.

I remember the story of how the GM lot drivers would start the C5s in 0-degree weather and immediately rev the engines to 5000 rpms. Of course, the crank or some other component would seize, causing major engine damage. However, it seems that there are many who are on the opposite end of precautionary line. I believe somewhere near the middle, but closer to the cautious ones is the right place to be.
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Old Sep 26, 2002 | 05:04 PM
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Default Re: What Oil Temp do you wait for before.... (y2k02c5)

Minimum of 150+ here. :yesnod:
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Old Sep 26, 2002 | 05:07 PM
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Default Re: What Oil Temp do you wait for before.... (ty)

I won't get it over 2000 before it hits 150* if I don't have to.
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Old Sep 26, 2002 | 05:07 PM
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Default Re: What Oil Temp do you wait for before.... (jschindler)

...but in an emergency I may go at 160 or above.
:lol: :lol: :lol:
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Old Sep 26, 2002 | 05:35 PM
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Default Re: What Oil Temp do you wait for before.... (kewlbrz)

Remember when many of us would warm-up our engines for 10 minutes before driving off?
Ugh! I would argue that this is not good for the engine. I agree that modern engines are better designed and compensate for this type of behavior, but I believe by far the best way to warm up an engine is to drive it easy.
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Old Sep 27, 2002 | 12:56 AM
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Default Re: What Oil Temp do you wait for before.... (y2k02c5)

180 & go!
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Old Sep 27, 2002 | 01:15 AM
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Default Re: What Oil Temp do you wait for before.... (Fang S-289)

A buck-fiddy and I speed my roll. :crazy: ;)
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Old Sep 27, 2002 | 02:12 AM
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Default Re: What Oil Temp do you wait for before.... (y2k02c5)

I wait until 150, but food for thought. If any of you have been on the factory tour, they drive the car all of 100 ft then on to a dyno where they bring the car quickly up to like 80 mph. I figure during this run the engine may be all of 90 ~ 100 degrees. Then you figure the guys loading and unloading your car push it a little far cold. I say take it easy but if your getting up 10 minutes early just to crank your car in the garage then I believe your going over board, but heck it is your car not mine.
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Old Sep 27, 2002 | 03:23 AM
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Default Re: What Oil Temp do you wait for before.... (y2k02c5)

150
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Old Sep 27, 2002 | 03:06 PM
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Default Re: What Oil Temp do you wait for before.... (Ram Air Tony)

150
I don't drive like a wus before 150, but after 150, the pedal likes to be stuck to the floor.
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Old Sep 27, 2002 | 03:52 PM
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Default Re: What Oil Temp do you wait for before.... (y2k02c5)

I don't move the car until it's at least 100 degrees because I need to let the springs get warm and no WOT until at least 150 or more..:D
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