Engine Temp= Oil Temp?
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2004
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From: Lost in the Pine Barrens with only ketchup and relish packs, New Jersey
Engine Temp= Oil Temp?
Is it accurate to assume that oil temperature is the equivalent to Engine temperature or should you use coolant temp? Referring to what my Grandfather always told me to let the car warm up before I drove off. If so, what is considered a safe temperature to begin driving?Especially with the cold weather season upon us, I made a point to watch the oil temp this morning and it took a while to get up to 99 degrees (30 degrees outside temp)+(garage kept-every day driver) and even longer to get to the normal 180-190 degree range I am used to.
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2004
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From: ME
mmm I don't know about that. The way I treat my vette is I let it idle in the morning until the coolant temperature reaches 100 F about. When the coolant temperature reaches around 180 F the oil temperature should be at about 125 F. I keep it under 2000 RPM until the oil temperature is around 150 F. All of this is an effort to keep that oil pressure down (shoot for below 50psi until everything is warmed up) .... In this day and age you can still blow seals if you push your car too far when it's cold. Think about it, would you want someone pushing you out of bed and rushing you to work?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2004
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From: Bethlehem PA
Originally Posted by servohead
mmm I don't know about that. The way I treat my vette is I let it idle in the morning until the coolant temperature reaches 100 F about. When the coolant temperature reaches around 180 F the oil temperature should be at about 125 F. I keep it under 2000 RPM until the oil temperature is around 150 F. All of this is an effort to keep that oil pressure down (shoot for below 50psi until everything is warmed up) .... In this day and age you can still blow seals if you push your car too far when it's cold. Think about it, would you want someone pushing you out of bed and rushing you to work?
I already have someone to push me out of bed. Her name is Abigail and she's 1.5 yrs old and full o' life in the am.
I usually just drive my car when I start her up in the cold, but I do drive carefully until she's up to normal temps.
Cold idling is discouraged by most manufacturers nowadays.
Scott
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From: Redsox, Pats, Celts & Bruins !!! Redsox Nation !!!
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12
Some engine maker, like BMW suggest that you start and drive. My wife's 323 said that in the "driving suggestions section" of the owners manual. I asked the service/dealer and they also suggested this. Newer engines are designed to reach operation temp by driving. This is what they told me.
I was always told soon as the oil pressure comes up to normal it was ok to drive.
I was always told soon as the oil pressure comes up to normal it was ok to drive.
Burning Brakes
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From: ME
I don't really let it idle too too long when shes full cold, I just make it a point to keep the revs down until fully warmed up. That oil is thick when it's cold and I'm nervous about pushing it too hard.
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From: Virginia Bch VA
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St. Jude Donor '06
Extended Warm-ups Can be Harmful
Originally Posted by Jerryk
This day and age there is no need to let it warm up before driving, just use common sense. dont go and red line it 10sec after starting out in 30 degree temp.
In Grandpa's day warm-ups were recommended by Mfgrs. No more. As stated above don't hot-dogg it until it's up to temp.
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Burning Brakes
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From: Lost in the Pine Barrens with only ketchup and relish packs, New Jersey
Aside from the unavoidable accidents as evident by the awful picture, I do try to take care and baby the car. I rarely go over 4000 rpms and always try to keep it under 2000 when first starting out. I was cautious watching the excessive movement of the oil pressure when the car is cold as compared to when the car is warm. I think 100 degrees of coolant temp will be a sufficient warm up for me!
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From: Avondale Arizona
Originally Posted by servohead
mmm I don't know about that. The way I treat my vette is I let it idle in the morning until the coolant temperature reaches 100 F about. When the coolant temperature reaches around 180 F the oil temperature should be at about 125 F. I keep it under 2000 RPM until the oil temperature is around 150 F. All of this is an effort to keep that oil pressure down (shoot for below 50psi until everything is warmed up) .... In this day and age you can still blow seals if you push your car too far when it's cold. Think about it, would you want someone pushing you out of bed and rushing you to work?
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2002
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From: Sacramento CA
Personally I let the car idle untill the oil is at 100 degrees, and then I keep it under 2k untill it reaches 160~180 degrees. Some may think it is crazy, but it is my car and I dont want to break anything. I also have a high lift cam (224/224 .581 @ 114).
Safety Car
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St. Jude Donor '09
Originally Posted by simpleman68
I already have someone to push me out of bed. Her name is Abigail and she's 1.5 yrs old and full o' life in the am.
Scott
Scott
They grow up fast...too fast
. ............Enjoy!! 
Melting Slicks
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St. Jude Donor 05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17
[QUOTE I rarely go over 4000 rpms and always try to keep it under 2000 when first starting out. [/QUOTE]
I have 2000 also and it is a daily driver and I hit atleast 5500 rpms everyday several times. She has 55,000 miles and runs stronger everyday!!!!!
These engines were built to be driven and 6K rpms is not excess!!!
I have 2000 also and it is a daily driver and I hit atleast 5500 rpms everyday several times. She has 55,000 miles and runs stronger everyday!!!!!
These engines were built to be driven and 6K rpms is not excess!!!
Tech Contributor
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From: Charlotte, NC (formerly Endicott, NY)
Originally Posted by servohead
I don't really let it idle too too long when shes full cold, I just make it a point to keep the revs down until fully warmed up. That oil is thick when it's cold and I'm nervous about pushing it too hard.
Bill
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From: Hot Springs AR
Originally Posted by 99magredcoupe
Is it accurate to assume that oil temperature is the equivalent to Engine temperature or should you use coolant temp?
Referring to what my Grandfather always told me to let the car warm up before I drove off. If so, what is considered a safe temperature to begin driving?
, but for gentle driving the car is ready to go as soon as the oil pressure stabilizes and the engine rpm comes down to a normal idle speed.
Especially with the cold weather season upon us, I made a point to watch the oil temp this morning and it took a while to get up to 99 degrees (30 degrees outside temp)+(garage kept-every day driver) and even longer to get to the normal 180-190 degree range I am used to.
HTH, and have a good one,
Mike
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
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From: Lost in the Pine Barrens with only ketchup and relish packs, New Jersey
Playtime!!! That's it! engine temp = 150 and it is playtime.That was a perfect way of putting it! I learned a lot from the answers, thanks to alll...