cold start?

[mrjlube]

Hello all! I would like to know what you all recommend for the length of time to allow your engine to warm up in sub zero temps. My ford focus has a lower end knock during freezing cold starts. I use 5w20 mobil one and can't figure why it does this? Only 55,000 miles and very well maintained. my 96 Escort has the same motor with 125,000 and never sounds like this? I am driving myself crazy trying to figure out what this is and if it a really bad thing. Once the car is warm she runs and sounds beautifully! Thank you all so much for any advice you may have for me!

HAPPY HOLIDAYS !

 

[Ramblin Fever]

Can't advise about the knock.

I allow my Isuzu to run for 5-7 minutes when it's below 20F. It got down to -15F last year on two mornings, then I was running 10w30 Havoline, truck started right up without a problem - but I believe I let it idle for about 15 minutes. It was COLD and couldn't see out the windshield, and I just couldn't fathom putting it in gear any sooner then that.

 

[Ugly3]

Idle time before you start moving gently should be long enough to adjust mirrors, get seat belts in place, and check the mirrors for obstructions. A total of maybe 30 seconds. Start slow and stay slow until the temp guage starts to come up. Then ease it on up to speed.

 

[Ugly3]

Better yet, get a Wolverine heat pad for the oil sump and the engine will think it is the 4th of July.

 

[Palut]

I start the car, get ready to drive, count slowly to five or ten, then start driving. I keep it under 3k rpm until the water is up to temperature, then keep it under 3500 until the oil is over 180°.

 

[vad]

Is it a 5-speed Focus?
If it is then the knocking sounds you hear might be coming not from the engine but from the clutch assembly.

 

[TallPaul]

Depending on what angle the filters mounts, a bad anti-drainback valve could let the oil drain out of the filter and then each start has a delay while the filter refills. What kind of filter are you running and what is its mounting angle?

 

[Ramblin Fever]

How can one avoid not letting it idle but having to hit 3k rpm's just to get out of their property?

I personally can't just take off and keep it under 3k rpm's, as I live at the bottom of a hill, and just to exit off my street the truck easily hits 3k.

I know it isn't the best thing to let it idle for a few minutes, but I can't fathom just starting it, at 20F or below that, and just immediatly hitting 3k rpm's. Don't know for sure, but that sounds worse then letting it idle for a few.

I've always laughed at the "keep it below 3k rpm's" - because it's not possible for one living in hilly terrain, or has a vehicle that naturally hits 2-3rpm's just shifting from 1-2nd gear in an automatic

.

Then when out on the two lane back-road, if you're not moving up to speed soon, you'll get plowed by a semi

 

[TallPaul]

"I personally can't just take off and keep it under 3k rpm's, as I live at the bottom of a hill, and just to exit off my street the truck easily hits 3k."

I am guessing you have a very small engine (torque will do the job without all the rpms), live on an expressway and have to floor it to keep from being hit, or both.

 

[merlin64]

"keep it below 3k rpm's" - because it's not possible for one living in hilly terrain

Sure it's possible, as posted above depends on engine torque. My car goes up a steep hill near my house and shifts at 2,300 rpm up the hill. Revs average 2k. Of course it is a 300 hp 4.3 V8

 

[Dr. T]

Although I've traditionally been of the 'drive immediately' group, I think it may be a good idea to allow some very minor warm-up time when it's subzero such as 30sec to 1.5 min..

Very often it coincides with the time required to brush the snow off the glass....enter vehicle and then drive off slowly until full warm-up.

My thinking is to allow the engine parts to begin moving thru several rotations and allow oil to begin circulating before any load is placed.

Although, I still don't agree with the 15-30min. warm-up thing....

[ December 02, 2005, 10:40 AM: Message edited by: Dr. T ]