Hi All, I am wondering what folks are doing for a cold-start warmup (not sub-zero or anything, just normal Spring-Fall morning garage temps). I come from the P-car land and with those cars I have always started the car, let it idle for just a few seconds, backed out and driven conservatively until the temp comes up. My drive out of the neighborhood is down and flat for a mile or so. Keep the Rs below 1/2 - 2/3s red-line for the first few miles and the oil temp comes up a bit. With the 308 QV I was told that it needed to start and idle for a bit (a few to several minutes) before I pull away. So I have been starting the car and backing out to the driveway and then letting it sit. When I do finally drive off it is almost completely up to temp and drives and shifts well. I've always wondered why the two makes are different or if the 308 doesn't need all that pre-driving warmup. I think I remember reading in the P-car manuals that it is preferred to drive to warm-up and not to let them sit and idle - just don't go nuts until it is warm. In the 308 manual, I believe it just says do not run at high RPM until oil has reached 160deg-F. What do you do for a warm-up from cold? Thanks, Franny
Most engine wear occurs when the engine is cold. All cars warm up faster when driven than when idling. Act accordingly. Oil suffers from contamination from excessive idle as well. I think it is best to start and drive the car without any extended idle time. Keep the rev's down until fully warmed. I do not find my QV requires much warmup, but it's never very cold where I live.
"...I have always started the car, let it idle for just a few seconds, backed out and driven conservatively until the temp comes up..." Same here. IMO, if you have a K-Jet model that needs to be fully warmed up before driving = you probably just have a WUR problem that needs fixing
Thanks Guys, It has always bothered me to let the car just sit there and run, but I had heard from several folks that "the 308 is different that your other cars". I've always believed that engines are designed to operate at their warm temps and only tolerate running when cold. It is a weird time for the engine when it thinks the law of the universe are a bit out of kilter Gas doesn't vaporize correctly, oil is too thick and weird... I feel the same way when I wake up I just had the WUR rebuilt and the car runs pretty fine-ish when stone cold. Starts right away and idles on the tick, but it is noticeably smoother after a few minutes. Ok, well,... Unless I hear lots to the contrary, I'll just treat it like the rest of the cars and be gentle until it is fully awake (just like me...). Thanks! Franny
I just start it and drive away gently. I short-shift from 1 to 3 then to 4. Basically, I just take it very easy until the "cold engine" light goes off. Fortunately, the first mile and a half of roads from my house have a 25 mph speed limit so its easy to do. I have almost never shifted to 2nd when cold. I tried it last night because of the other thread and confirmed my car shifts just fine into 2nd even when cold. I'll probably continue shifting 1 to 3 anyway, just 'cuz.
Start the car and drive it. Keep it below 3000 while still cold. When it is warm (look at oil temp instead of water!), you can do whatever you want. Cars warm up better while driving, so that idling is not a necessary. Just keep the revs between 2-3000rpm.
Get in, start, car, engage gear, drive away. Don't exceed 3000RPM until engine is warmed up. That's pretty much the "generally accepted procedure" for any car. "but I had heard from several folks that "the 308 is different that your other cars". " That's right! Per the owners manual you can go to 4k RPM until the engine is warmed up! But I stick with 3k!
