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I'd say that depends on a lot of factors. The problem with running a cold engine is that oil thickens and gels in the oil pan when the engine is cold and it has to warm up a bit before it flows through the engine properly. While the engine is warming, it is basically unlubricated and this is where much of engine wear takes place.
However, it really doesn't amount to a hill of beans whether it is warming up while sitting still or warming up while moving slowly, as long as you don't stress the engine heavily by stomping the gas or pulling a heavy load. Either way, the engine is still running unlubricated.
Now, several factors might influence the warm-up, however. If you are up in Nunya's neck of the woods, it might be cold enough to seriously gel the oil, and it might not ever get warm enough to flow if you are moving that - 30 degree air around the oil pan or dragging the oil pan through snow. You might need to sit still in a sheltered garage in order to get the engine warm enough to get that oil moving. If you are running a heavier oil in your engine as I am, because the engine is old and leaking, you might also have to wait a moment to get the engine warm enough. Also, and I'm no expert in oils here, but I believe modern additives in oil stick to engine parts to give them a little lubrication in a cold start.
Has anybody had a chevy car that started up and than cut back off? if so what was it and did you get it fix
by Anonymous on April 23rd, 2011
| 1 person likes this
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Given '02 TC. 45K miles, Don't really want but have to keep (family).
How to juice performance, sex up exaust, tighten suspension etc?
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by Cristy_W on July 24th, 2011
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You're reading Is it best to warm up your engine before taking off in the car or does it really matter?
Comments
Blessed, sounds like you're a mechanic too.
by Zack on October 25th, 2009
I was trained by a very fine man up in your neck of the woods who used to be the maintenance foreman for the old Mt Wilson State Hospital. He was in charge of everything from the heat and air to maintaining the ambulances and the trucks that plowed snow from the parking lots. He was an excellent mechanic and trained me well. I haven't kept my skills up as cars progressed, but I haven't forgotten what he taught me either.
by bagicide stayed 10 months too long on October 25th, 2009
Always a nice quality to have in a woman.
by Zack on October 25th, 2009
It makes a mechanic less likely to take advantage of you when you take the car in and tell them that there is a vibration in the front end and you think the right side rotor is warped because it only happens when braking and its coming from that side, than when you just say its making a noise, fix it.
by bagicide stayed 10 months too long on October 25th, 2009