Just how bad is it for the engine to take the revs into vtec while the engine is still cold?

The other day when I left work I pulled out of the parking lot and there was a car flying up on my ass so I floored it so he wouldn't hit me. I went into vtec in first and then, vtec in second before I reached the speed limit. I ususally wait until its well warmed up to take the revs over 3K, but I have been in this situation a few times now.

 

once in a while shouldnt matter. just dont do it every day.

 

Why not? I do although it's in the 80's in FL. The temp gauge is in the middle by the time I get on it anyway.

 

I think it's because the oil isn't working at it's best until it's warmed up a little.

 

 

Temp gauge isn't oil temp.....it's water temp. I wouldn't get on the car hard, go over 4k, for the first 10mins of operation.

 

i let it warm up for a half min before i even move out, in the winter i warm it up for like 3-5 min

 

 

NOT good for the transmission fluid ! I wouldn't worry too much about the engine, but the transmission................YES ! Auto or MT

 

That is just BAD for the CLS!

 

I always try to let it warm up .. then i get impatient and just run it as I feel necessary ...

 

at least wait for the temp gauge to get in the middle, or about 2-3 mins of driving is enough.
if engine is not warmed up enough and you take the revs high, internal components are not up to optimal operating condition. point is that unnecessary friction has a greater chance to occur in the internal parts. i think properly warming up a car is vital to its long term reliability.
last thing is its not bad to enter vtec when car isnt warmed up yet. vtec is not a special mode. the better way to say this is avoid taking rpms above 4-5k.

 

I agree with fabvsix 100%. The one time that I accelerated under the same circumstances as you (chance of getting creamed cuz some ass changed lanes) with a cold engine was the day I started hearing a "whine". I thought it was a blown vaccum hose , it turned out to be my 3rd gear bearing. I don't know if it was just time for my tranny to go, but I honestly feel that my rapid acceleration with a cold engine was the "final straw"

 

I could see this being a problem in the 5 A/T but I have owned quite a few cars all being M/T and there is nothing bad that would happen to a M/T when it is cold. You have to shift the car no matter if you keep the revs low or not, but in an A/T if the fluid isn't warmed up when the high revs cause the tranny to shift harder you could have problems.

I understand that VTEC isn't a special mode I just used that as a refrence to the RPMS inwhich I drove the car to.

 

Well being that there isn't I can do about it now, I will just try not to do it again in the future. Although I would rather have a little extra wear on the motor than to have the car in the body shop

 

I've done that a few times, running late for work. Maybe that's why my car has had poor 1/4 times?

 

nope....I'm sure there are some good times to be had with your car. Just need to get out of the hole on a cool day....and of course you need to be 100%.

 

Hell, I would rather have a broken bumper than a busted engine.

Let's see...

Engine oil has not reached its normal operating viscosity, which means it's not protecting your engine.

The components (cylinder heads, rods, etc.) and the block are still cold, and under sudden temperature rise or high RPM's, it could crack. Maybe not badly, but it'll get hairline fractures which will, over time, develop into bigger fractures, thus robbing you of power, fuel economy, and ultimately, money.

Seals still don't have full protection due to the oil still not being up to its normal viscosity. Pour some cold oil on a block of cold aluminum, and rub a condom against it 5,000 times a minute. Pour some warm oil on a block of warm aluminum, then try rubbing a condom on it.

By the way, have you seen cold oil? It's nearly in a soild form.


ALWAYS let it warm up for a little bit. CL/TL have really short warm-up time due to some new technology. I read it in the owner's manaul (check it out), but I forgot the details. If you can't wait for a CL/TL to warm up, then oh, boy, try warming up a fucking Mitsubishi. I'm glad I don't have that piece of shit anymore.

 

i thought VTEC doesnt enguage when ur engine is cold. i know im my cl it wont until the engine reaches a certain temp. well for older vtec's n e ways.

 

I wouldn't know. I've never gone above 3,000 RPM until the engine is at optimal operating temp.

 

I thought the reason to let the engine warm up was because of the oil, not the temp gauge which is for your antifreeze/coolant. You need about 30 sec (max) for the oil to cycle through the engine from the drip pan.

 

It does switch to VTEC, but as it was on the dyno pull, timming is pulled agressively losing some 30 lbft and 30 WHP!

I have a dyno to prove that. If you want it, I can uploaded.

 

so either way its not fully functional then until the engine is warm

 

really omg my dad takes me to school every morning and floors up the hill to like 70 shit

 

Ray....When I was still in Hawaii, I did about 25 runs (mostly gate shifting, VSA off) over two straight weekends. I'm sure the heat (usually around 85 degrees) and humidity (which isn't nearly as bad as the east coast) had something to do with my times. But I averaged about 15.4 sec. Worst time was 16.3 in D3. Best times were 15.2 and 15.3 once each. Now I'm sure I probably flubbed up some of those runs. But plenty of other TLS/CLS were runnin in the 14's stock. All I had was a K&N air filter and a removed resonator. So something must be wrong with my engine. Oh and the tires were down between 20-25 PSI. Altitude was less than 200 feet. empty car except floor mats and cds, 1/4 tank of gas, and spare.

 

My remote starter is great! Except when I leave my garage at my house, I use it to warm up the car-