Live in Socal, so it doesnt get too cold (lowest about 50 degrees in early morning).

I was wondering the problems that can occur when you drive the car hard, and the engine hasnt been warmed...

btw its just a stock automatic 04 tl

 

Just worn out piston rings and cylinder walls, maybe main bearings, etc. Driving a cold engine hard never prolongs the life of the engine.

It takes a lot longer for the oil to reach operating temperature than for the water, so don't just go by your water temp gage.

The TL has so much power that you should be able to keep up with traffic while keeping the revs down until the engine has warmed up.

 

Well, lets look at it like this...

The warming up of cars is a throw back from the carburator days. If you drive any car hard, it will deteriorate faster. Cold and heat have interesting affect on metals and fluids.

New cars pretty much lite of their catalytic converters in a mater of a minute or two. They also switch to closed loop in seconds, not like older cars. By the way, the switch to closed loop is based on time, not engine coolant temperature.

For really cold climates, you should start a car, let it idle for a minute then drive. Don't even consider beating on it until it's fully warmed up.

For your Socal climate, I would follow the same routine. It's up to you though, it's your cash.

A fully warmed engine is a happy engine.

A-Train

 

Patience is a virtue. One that rewards you and your car. And we are not talking about a iron big block. The aluminum engine warms faster, so as Ron mentions, the oil warming is more the issue.

Granted I am in Florida, but I am amazed that I barely get backed from the garage on off my cul de sac and the engine temp is 1/2 to Hot.

 

My father worked on Airplanes engines. He said to me one day, "Did you ever see a pilot start an Airplane and immediately take er down the runway at full throttle"? Was always taught to let the engine run 30 secs before moving the car then take it easy till it warmed up. In other words wait till the oil has a few seconds to circulate and warm up/especially in cold climates. Put over 300,000 on 2 honda 4 bangers with no engine problems. Guess he knew what he was talking about.

 

wow great info i always wait till i see the temp gauge right under the boat?looking thing
great info !

 

great, never driven the car in the winter yet and living in chicago gets very very cold.

 

My dad has a book from when he was a teenager in the sixties, and had a volkswagen. He has a car repair book for it, called something like how to fix your volkswagen,for the complete idiot.
Anyway, its gives tips on driving your car also, and it says always after starting the car, give enough time to at least roll a joint, to give the motor oil and engine time to warm up before preceding. I guess the type of instruction was a part of our cultural history.
But on the other hand, the book is great. I know cars were simpler back then, but it assumed you knew absolutely nothing about your car, and even what a screwdriver is, and took you step by step, even as far as a motor overhaul. The book was great. I wish they made shop manuals like this these days.

 

Funny, no one mentioned that Vtec will not engage below specified operating temp.