How detrimental is it to...

wolf41779 · 01-09-2011, 08:18 PM

So my question is, how detrimental is it to drive your car hard when its not warmed up? The reason I ask this question is because I recently had an encounter on the street that made me think that its maybe isnt so bad. To make a long story short. I work in a restaurant at a highend life style center, and valet parking is directly in front. Great cars consistenly get to stay on display with out moving to the actual parking lot, which brings me to my situation.

There was a Lambo Superleggera parked out front for around four hours. It just so happened that when I was leaving work, so was the Lambo. It was reasonably cool out(maybe 50 degrees or so), and when I pulled out on to the street he pulled along side me at the first light just outside the center.

I really wanted to punch it to see how badly he would pull away(with out breaking the speed limit of course, and because I keep it off the streets), but I knew my engine was cold and so was his, so I figured neither of us would gun it. Well I was completely wrong, when the light turned green he bogged for fraction of a second and then ripped away at an astonishing velocity. The sound was amazing, for the brief time he was next to me. I dont know how fast he got up to, but I would say he was doing well over triple digits in just a matter of a few seconds. I did my usual acceleration with out surpassing 3500k, and up to the speed limit.

So back to my question, how bad is it to beat on your car when its not up to proper operating temperature? This guy has a quater million dollar car and didnt hesitate to rip on it when it was cold. Mine cost a fraction of that and I always wait until the engine is warm before stomping on it. Is it just because he has the money to replace broken or worn parts, or is it really not that bad to do so because of modern technology and synthetic oils? Opinions?

I snapped a quick pic with the droid while at the light...

PapoZalsa · 01-09-2011, 08:38 PM

I was reading something about this this morning. What I can remember about the article that I read was that the modern engines are not like the old ones that need it to warm up for a few minutes to get the oil circulating and up to specific temp.

The modern engines work diferently so in a few seconds all the engine components will be well lubricated and ready to go.

Red__Zed · 01-09-2011, 08:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PapoZalsa

I was reading something about this this morning. What I can remember about the article that I read was that the modern engines are not like the old ones that need it to warm up for a few minutes to get the oil circulating and up to especific temp.

The modern engines work diferently so in a few seconds all the engine components will be well lubricated and ready to go.

The need to warm the engine up stems primarily from the desire to get the motor oil up to temp. If you wail on your car while it's cold, you are essentially running 5 weight oil in the engine...

ImportConvert · 01-10-2011, 08:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Red__Zed

The need to warm the engine up stems primarily from the desire to get the motor oil up to temp. If you wail on your car while it's cold, you are essentially running 5 weight oil in the engine...

No, you're running something thick as syrup and it doesn't lubricate as well, or pump NEARLY as well. In other words, you have more pressure at the pump and less up top and over the bearings.

No, you won't blow your car up the first time, but it's not a good habit at all. That is why many high-end cars have tach's that adapt to the running temp like the M series, etc.

Red__Zed · 01-10-2011, 07:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ImportConvert

No, you're running something thick as syrup and it doesn't lubricate as well, or pump NEARLY as well. In other words, you have more pressure at the pump and less up top and over the bearings.

No, you won't blow your car up the first time, but it's not a good habit at all. That is why many high-end cars have tach's that adapt to the running temp like the M series, etc.

What exactly are you disagreeing with in my post?

ImportConvert · 01-10-2011, 07:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Red__Zed

What exactly are you disagreeing with in my post?

I am disagreeing with the way you say "running the engine with 5-weight oil".

That is deceptive in that the oil is very thick when cold. cSt of most "X"-30 weight oils is around 60 when cold. When you heat them up, the cSt drops to around 9-11.

The way you presented it makes it sound like oil is thinner when its cold.

Lemers · 01-09-2011, 08:48 PM

Besides, dudes got a Lamborghini he can afford to maintain it.

LMBmikeZ · 01-09-2011, 08:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lemers

Besides, dudes got a Lamborghini he can afford to maintain it.

lol ya for some of those cars the cost to maintain them for a year would buy our car!

I don't know about lambo's but I know I was reading bugatti veyron owners (I know it's $1.7-2.7 million car) but they are paying around $250,000 - $300,000 a year for yearly maintenance!!

that would buy some pretty nice houses around my area (the $250k to $300K).

Lemers · 01-09-2011, 09:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LMBmikeZ

lol ya for some of those cars the cost to maintain them for a year would buy our car!

I don't know about lambo's but I know I was reading bugatti veyron owners (I know it's $1.7-2.7 million car) but they are paying around $250,000 - $300,000 a year for yearly maintenance!!

that would buy some pretty nice houses around my area (the $250k to $300K).

Think about this. The difference between the $250k and $300k is more than our Z.

azn370z · 01-09-2011, 09:10 PM

Nissan prevents the engine from revving too high when the engine temp is too low. But the engine warms up very quickly. I usually wait until my oil temp reaches 180.

PapoZalsa · 01-09-2011, 09:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by azn370z

Nissan prevents the engine from revving too high when the engine temp is too low. But the engine warms up very quickly. I usually wait until my oil temp reaches 180.

That will take me probably all day now in the Winter.

import111 · 01-09-2011, 09:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by azn370z

Nissan prevents the engine from revving too high when the engine temp is too low.

Not on my 370Z. I can rev to 7500rpm right when I start it cold.

Push370zzz · 01-24-2011, 12:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LMBmikeZ

lol ya for some of those cars the cost to maintain them for a year would buy our car!

I don't know about lambo's but I know I was reading bugatti veyron owners (I know it's $1.7-2.7 million car) but they are paying around $250,000 - $300,000 a year for yearly maintenance!!

that would buy some pretty nice houses around my area (the $250k to $300K).

I really doubt that....

ImportConvert · 01-24-2011, 01:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by smashwebs

I really doubt that....

The tires alone on a Veyron cost more than your Z KBB's for if you still had it, depending on trim level.

Pelican170 · 01-24-2011, 01:44 PM

I have always been told to let your car warm up a little at first. With that said, waiting till the oil temp guage says 180 is pretty warm for a first rip. My car takes like 20 minutes to get to that temp it seems, and this is in the summer. I let her loose at 140-160 haha. Who knows how accurate those Oil Temp guages are anyways...

01-09-2011, 08:38 PM	#2 (permalink)
PapoZalsa A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Not in Sunny Florida Posts: 6,358 Drives: 16 Nismo w/Tech Pack Rep Power: 4500	I was reading something about this this morning. What I can remember about the article that I read was that the modern engines are not like the old ones that need it to warm up for a few minutes to get the oil circulating and up to specific temp. The modern engines work diferently so in a few seconds all the engine components will be well lubricated and ready to go. __________________ 2009 370Z MB Base w/Sport Package 6MT Modshack's Custom Air Intakes /3M Clear Bra/ Illuminated Kick Plates / F. I CBE w/12" resonators / EVO-R Front Lip / Rear Hatch Wing / Tein S-Tech Springs /Ilegal Tint in the Rep. of VA/4x20mm Z1 Spacers/ Vinyl Roof/Liquid Carbon Designs Last edited by PapoZalsa; 01-09-2011 at 09:18 PM.

01-09-2011, 08:48 PM	#7 (permalink)
Lemers A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Izmir, Turkey Posts: 15,371 Drives: 2012 Traverse LTZ Rep Power: 53	Besides, dudes got a Lamborghini he can afford to maintain it. __________________ 2010 Black Cherry Touring/Sport/Nav Now - 2012 Travese LTZ until I leave for Turkey

01-09-2011, 09:10 PM	#10 (permalink)
azn370z A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Seattle Posts: 1,722 Drives: z34 - R1 Rep Power: 490	Nissan prevents the engine from revving too high when the engine temp is too low. But the engine warms up very quickly. I usually wait until my oil temp reaches 180. __________________ 2010 k23 H&R sport springs / Spc rear camber arms / SSR SP1 / Berk cbe / Varis cf lip / Nismo S-Tune side skirts

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01-24-2011, 01:44 PM	#15 (permalink)
Pelican170 Track Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Sandy Hook, CT Posts: 972 Drives: Nissan 370z Nismo Rep Power: 16	I have always been told to let your car warm up a little at first. With that said, waiting till the oil temp guage says 180 is pretty warm for a first rip. My car takes like 20 minutes to get to that temp it seems, and this is in the summer. I let her loose at 140-160 haha. Who knows how accurate those Oil Temp guages are anyways...