I read in Motortrend that turning your key to just before the ignition point for a few seconds causes some oil to lube the engine a bit before the harseness of a cold start. I also read that it saves your starter as well. I have been doing this in my '02 TL-S for about a year now and I am starting to doubt the benefits.

About half of the time, my engine makes a strange sound like it is having some type of compression problem. It always starts, but it sounds like it is working hard for a second or two before the engine catches.

The other times, it starts just as quiet and as smooth as can be. I stopped waiting until the initial beeping sound stops, about 7 seconds, and just turned the key all the way from the start and have not heard that harse sound since.

Has anybody experience similar things?

 

Yes it is good practice to turn the key just before the ignition point. It pressurizes the fuel coming from your fuel pump. I have seen some custom setups for nice rides(hummers) that also activates a pre ignition oil pump that brings the oil pressure up to operating levels. This can really benefit in the long run because of reduced wear on the engine parts caused by low oil pressure and reduced cranking time.

I don't know what sound your talking about but you should get it checked.

 

I'm pretty sure that we only have a mechanical oil pump so holding the key in the pre-ignition position does nothing but presurize the fuel rail.

 

Right, this would only make a difference with an electric oil pump. That buzzing you here in most cars when you turn the key to the position before ignition is the actual fuel pump.