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Starting the engine in near freezing temperatures

Discussion in 'Technical Q&A' started by Threeofnine, Dec 20, 2022.

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  1. Threeofnine

    Threeofnine Formula Junior

    Dec 11, 2020
    433
    Birmingham, AL USA
    Full Name:
    Jarrod Heath
    #1 Threeofnine, Dec 20, 2022
    This is going to be a potentially stupid question. I drive my Testarossa a lot, I would even call it a semi daily driver. I live in the south and temperatures rarely drop below freezing. However, this year seems a lot cooler than most. Lately, we have been having highs in the 40s and lows in the 20s. over the weekend, we are forecast to have a once in 30 year cold snap. They say the temperature could drop as low 10F.

    I always feel a little uneasy when starting the TR in near freezing temperatures. When I’m in my other cars, I never give it a second thought, but the Ferrari just feels different. Is there any reason to be concerned about starting the engine in the cold or am I worrying over nothing?

    Before driving I always wait until the coolant temperature reaches the first line on the gauge and try to keep the rpms under 2500 until the engine is fully warmed up.
     
  2. Extreme1

    Extreme1 Formula 3

    Jun 27, 2017
    1,440
    Santa Clarita, CA
    #2 Extreme1, Dec 20, 2022
    What weight engine oil are you using?

    Is the car stored outside or in a garage that will be at the same temps as outside?


    Sent from my iPhone using FerrariChat
     
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  3. Threeofnine

    Threeofnine Formula Junior

    Dec 11, 2020
    433
    Birmingham, AL USA
    Full Name:
    Jarrod Heath
    #3 Threeofnine, Dec 20, 2022
    Last edited: Dec 20, 2022
    Engine oil is currently 10w60. I am planning to use Mobil 1 15w50 during the next oil change, but I might wait til spring. The car is stored in a garage, but it’s unheated and uninsulated. I imagine the garage would only be a few degrees, if any, warmer than outside.
     
  4. moysiuan

    moysiuan F1 Rookie
    Silver Subscribed

    Nov 1, 2005
    4,254
    Canada
    #4 moysiuan, Dec 20, 2022
    10W60 is good down to -4F (-20C). Modern oils are pretty amazing.

    The car is not different than any other for colder temperatures. Mostly the same Bosch fuel injection and emissions systems were used in Mercedes of the era, and was designed for all temperature conditions. I understand the Boxer engine design actually has faster warm up coolant and oil flow characteristics.

    It is actually not best to let the car idle for a long time to warm up, that increase engine wear, and emissions. The engine will optimally warm up much more quickly under some load. Start the car, let idle for maybe 30 seconds, enough to let all the cars sensors/ecu understand the operating conditions, and off you go. Do not rev the engine to red line until fully warm, but reasonable around town revs will get the engine up to operating temps, and will boil off condensation.
     
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  5. Threeofnine

    Threeofnine Formula Junior

    Dec 11, 2020
    433
    Birmingham, AL USA
    Full Name:
    Jarrod Heath
    #5 Threeofnine, Dec 20, 2022
    Thank you, that’s good to know. I didn’t know if, with these being high-performance engines, if there would be something different such as tolerance that would make them different.

    That is also good to know about the idle time. I was under the impression that driving while the engine was stone cold would greatly accelerate ring wear. Seems I was mistaken.
     
  6. moysiuan

    moysiuan F1 Rookie
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    Nov 1, 2005
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    #6 moysiuan, Dec 20, 2022
    You get some oil pooling in a boxer, one more design advantage for a cold start, albeit with a puff of oil smoke on cold start not uncommon.
     
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  7. Extreme1

    Extreme1 Formula 3

    Jun 27, 2017
    1,440
    Santa Clarita, CA
    #7 Extreme1, Dec 20, 2022
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  8. 24000rpm

    24000rpm F1 Rookie

    Aug 31, 2012
    4,653
    China and California
    #8 24000rpm, Dec 21, 2022
    don't worry, I start my CS in 0 F all the time, like today.

     
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  9. Drew Altemara

    Drew Altemara Formula 3

    Feb 11, 2002
    1,537
    Tuscaloosa, AL
    Full Name:
    Drew Altemara
    #9 Drew Altemara, Dec 21, 2022
    I would wait until it warms up a bit on Monday. It's not just the oil. Mouse belts, windows, other accessories like to be a little warmer. I busted an oil hose on a Daytona starting it in the very cold some years back. Now I'm sure the hose was very old but there are other things at play if not routinely used in cold weather. Though it would probably be fine - why?
     
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  10. Threeofnine

    Threeofnine Formula Junior

    Dec 11, 2020
    433
    Birmingham, AL USA
    Full Name:
    Jarrod Heath
    #10 Threeofnine, Dec 21, 2022
    Good point. I was out in the cold a couple days ago and felt the window was struggling a little bit when I rolled it down.
     
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  11. flash32

    flash32 F1 Veteran

    Aug 22, 2008
    7,083
    Central NJ
    Full Name:
    Dominick
    #11 flash32, Dec 21, 2022
    Don't forget your tires and traction

    Sent from my moto g power using Tapatalk
     
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  12. Threeofnine

    Threeofnine Formula Junior

    Dec 11, 2020
    433
    Birmingham, AL USA
    Full Name:
    Jarrod Heath
    #12 Threeofnine, Dec 21, 2022
    I actually just got back from the tire shop. I had a set of all seasons installed.
     
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