I did something stupid today

[pbm]

Being a typical BITOGer, I take very good care of my vehicles. Today I started my car (outside temp. was 36*F) and took off after about 20 seconds. After approximately 1.5 miles (with the last 3/4 mile being an uphill grade) I came behind a slow moving snow plow and realized if I didn't pass quickly I would be stuck behind it for 5 miles because the road becomes a single lane. I floored it to pass and saw my tach hit above 6K RPMs (didn't hit the redline at 6.5K). After passing I realized that my coolant needle had only moved half way from cold to it's normal position when fully warmed up (I know this doesn't mean the oil is at full temperature.)

If one of my kids this I'd be furious but I reacted quickly and regretted it afterwards because I know it's not good for an engine that's not fully warmed up.

PS: Normally I would have had this car in the 60*F garage but left it out when I got home this morning at 3AM because the driveway was full of snow.

Oh well, I'll stop thinking about it in a day or two.

PS: Car in question is 2016 Escape 2.5 with 10700 miles...

 

[eljefino]

You're fine. This is like having a separate funnel for 10w30 vs 5w30 in fretting.

 

[aquariuscsm]

Originally Posted By: eljefino
You're fine. This is like having a separate funnel for 10w30 vs 5w30 in fretting.


Haha excellent analogy!! Yep,his car will be perfectly fine. I have no problem getting on it just as soon as the temp needle begins to move.

 

[SwampSurvivor]

There have been times where I have had to get the revs up a bit to get out of snowy parking spots in the winter. Doesnt hurt a thing

 

[Run]

Well here is the condensed version of replies to expect...
The engine will blow any day now.
You need to change the oil ASAP and get a UOA.
Do a few short OCIs using 0w-40 and a fram ultra.
More UOAs!
Then the debate of thick vs thin oil ensues.
/end thread

I say you are fine. The car won't mind a few WOT take offs even if not fully warmed up. Remember the car is a machine to serve you.

 

[bioburner]

The oil was flowing long before you attempted the pass. Don't worry

 

[Pop_Rivit]

Originally Posted By: pbm
I did something stupid today


The only stupid thing you did was worry about it.

 

[Mr Nice]

No harm done.

I read the first few sentences and thought you spun the tires and lost control of car... needing a tow truck to pull out of ditch.

 

[Merkava_4]

You people got snow in New York already ? Gee, it's still Fall time.

 

[Bud]

Not a big deal.

 

[AirgunSavant]

We all sweat the minor things way too much.
I'm sure its all good.
Forget about it

Enjoy your new ride.

 

[Rolla07]

Yeah, nothing to worry about.

 

[pbm]

Originally Posted By: Merkava_4
You people got snow in New York already ? Gee, it's still Fall time.

Yes....I'm only an hour and a half north of NYC and when I left the city this morning it was raining but by the time I drove an hour it was snowing hard... it was a blinding snow too. Was glad to get home safe.

Yes: I'm sure my 2.5 will be fine....maybe last 299K instead of 300K...I'm usually pretty disciplined but I made a split second decision which I regretted afterwards...

PS: The sump is full of QS 5w20 dino which has only 2500 miles on it....it's not like it had 40weight in it.

 

[gregk24]

Although this isn't the best thing for your engine, it should be able to handle a couple cold revs. My dad takes off in his Silverado every morning RIGHT after starting it. Start, throw into drive and burn down the road. Its going strong with over 160K miles.

 

[pbm]

Originally Posted By: gregk24
Although this isn't the best thing for your engine, it should be able to handle a couple cold revs. My dad takes off in his Silverado every morning RIGHT after starting it. Start, throw into drive and burn down the road. Its going strong with over 160K miles.



I agree....but I doubt it gets to 36*F often in Florida...

 

[JHZR2]

If you're going off the coolant, not the oil, its practically irrelevant. The coolant could be fully at temperature, the oil not, and so...

Did you damage something? Yes.
Will every bit of driving you ever do damage something? Yes.
Will stunts like these cause degradation faster? Yes.
Will doing it once cause any noticeable issue? No.

There are idiots who accelerate into the red light, and then there are people in a rush who do it once. Its all about routine driving habits and practices... Just don't let it become one and you're fine...

 

[demarpaint]

It happens. We'd all like to wait until the oil is up to temp, but sometimes things just happen and we need to hammer it while the engine is still cold. Honestly I'd be looking for something else to worry about.

 

[mclasser]

Originally Posted By: demarpaint
. Honestly I'd be looking for something else to worry about.

 

[pbm]

Originally Posted By: Pop_Rivit
Originally Posted By: pbm
I did something stupid today


The only stupid thing you did was worry about it.



You are so right.....

 

[fdcg27]

I think it's more a matter of getting all of the parts expanded to operating temperature than it is the temperature of the oil. You would have been in the hydrodynamic regime at all times at higher revs so the function of heat dependent barrier or mixed regime lubrication wouldn't have mattered.
It's always best practice to get everything warmed up before romping on it.
That said, I'd say you took three or four miles off the potential life of the engine.
Do this every day for the next ten years and the engine will still outlast the CUV in which it's installed since the Escape, like any other car, will rust into dust in your neck of the woods with the engine still running just fine.
Sometimes, you just gotta do what you gotta do and in this instance I think you did the right thing in running harder than you normally would before really at operating temperature.
You could argue that five slow miles behind the plow truck with the thing hunting back and forth between gears wouldn't have been all that good for it either and the transaxle is more likely to give trouble during the useful life of the vehicle than is the engine.
You also have to consider your own blood pressure and the irritation factor, both of which would have increased for every minute you were stuck behind the plow truck.