We have all heard that most engine wear occurs at start up and while the engine is below operating temp. The recommendation is to drive easy until fully warmed up, but how easy is easy? I try and keep it under 2250 rpm for the first 2 miles or so then under 2500 ish for another couple miles. After about 5 miles Ill let it rev out to 3000 miles if necessary. Is this "easy" enough or should it stay below 3000 for a longer period of time? What do you all do?
Drive easy when cold...how easy is easy?
- Thread starter gregk24
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I start my car up and let the idle drop, then i keep the rpm's under 2k till i get at least 75% of operating temp.
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Use common sense. Don't lug the engine, don't rev it more than 50% to redline and don't floor it unless it's an emergency.
2500 rpm or less is easy
It's not just a matter of RPM, you would want to consider load also.
From a cold start I try not to load my engine needlessly, nor rev the engine needlessly.
I know after about 5 miles the engine internals are beginning to warm up. So I may use a little more throttle. But I'm reluctant to use anywhere near full throttle before 15-20 minutes (depending on ambient temperature) unless I have to.
My vehicles are there to serve me, but I know abuse will cost me in the long term (and I keep my vehicles a long time)
So it's a bit of a trade-off.
From a cold start I try not to load my engine needlessly, nor rev the engine needlessly.
I know after about 5 miles the engine internals are beginning to warm up. So I may use a little more throttle. But I'm reluctant to use anywhere near full throttle before 15-20 minutes (depending on ambient temperature) unless I have to.
My vehicles are there to serve me, but I know abuse will cost me in the long term (and I keep my vehicles a long time)
So it's a bit of a trade-off.
I keep it below 3k rpm and don't accelerate too fast until water temp reaches normal. Then I gradually increase rpms. About 5 min after water temp reaches normal, I don't baby it anymore.
I start it, let the RPMs drop, then keep it under 2000 for about 5 minutes. Then I keep it under 3000 until water temp is normal. I think it's most important not to jerk it into gear .00005 seconds after starting it... like many people do. 15-20 seconds is probably a good thing.
MY S2000 has no torque under 2,500 RPM so I changed gear at 3,500 RPM for the first mile, gradually increase 500 RPM every mile and redline if needed after 5-6 miles, at this time the coolant is very much at operating temperature and the oil temperature is probably more than 140-150F.
The E430 has plenty of torque at any RPM, so I just shift to D and drive normal.
The E430 has plenty of torque at any RPM, so I just shift to D and drive normal.
Generally I'm easy on my cars driving around overall, because I'm trying to save gas.
But I don't see how driving it around with higher then normal RPMs will hurt much, if that was the case, then we would see A LOT of cars with issues as most people start their cars and go, and there are plenty of people who are hard on their cars from the get go.
Drive how you want, I highly doubt the car will care...
All the above suggestions seem out dated to me.
But I don't see how driving it around with higher then normal RPMs will hurt much, if that was the case, then we would see A LOT of cars with issues as most people start their cars and go, and there are plenty of people who are hard on their cars from the get go.
Drive how you want, I highly doubt the car will care...
All the above suggestions seem out dated to me.
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I try to keep the RPM between 2500 and 3000 for the first 15 to 20 min. and one gear down on my xB. Then I start to let her run.
You are way overthinking it IMO.
Use as much gas as you need. Just drive normal. If the car needs to be treated like a piece of Waterford Crystal, get a car that doesn't so you don't have to worry about it.
Use as much gas as you need. Just drive normal. If the car needs to be treated like a piece of Waterford Crystal, get a car that doesn't so you don't have to worry about it.
Originally Posted By: 01rangerxl
You are way overthinking it IMO.
Use as much gas as you need. Just drive normal. If the car needs to be treated like a piece of Waterford Crystal, get a car that doesn't so you don't have to worry about it.
+1
You are way overthinking it IMO.
Use as much gas as you need. Just drive normal. If the car needs to be treated like a piece of Waterford Crystal, get a car that doesn't so you don't have to worry about it.
+1
From start up at my house, I just drive normal until I get to the entrance to the freeway, almost 3 miles, then I drive normal freeway speed. I think anything under 3K rpm is "easy" after start up. At least in so cal.
I am old school i warm my engines up especially in the winter..
I simply don't drive it like I stole it until it's warmed up. Half throttle when cold if needed, but almost never right to the floor unless you for some reason have to.
Typically though on a stone cold engine I just drive easy for a bit like 90% of people seem to do.
Typically though on a stone cold engine I just drive easy for a bit like 90% of people seem to do.
Originally Posted By: Dyusik
62rpm before redline. I have to drive 10 miles at 3k rpm home at times, with cold 40wt because the entrance to the fwy is 200 yrds away.
You live in Florida, a state where the cars are PERPETUALLY warmed up
You are trying to make it seem like you run a straight 40.
62rpm before redline. I have to drive 10 miles at 3k rpm home at times, with cold 40wt because the entrance to the fwy is 200 yrds away.
You live in Florida, a state where the cars are PERPETUALLY warmed up
You are trying to make it seem like you run a straight 40.
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