Warming a vehicle up is an old concept that used to be used when engine matterials varied so they did heat up at the same rate, and gave the oil pumps time to presurize the system. Older oil pumps and filters didn't have the check valves used today and the oil would all drain down to the bottom and take a few seconds to get the oil to the vavles and such. With modern vehicles warm up is not needed, but it doesn't hurt either.

 

If warming up your car in the morning is unnecessary then how come on mornings I was running late and wouldn't let it warm up it wouldn't have near the exceleration and power it would if I let it warm up. Take into consideration this wasn't here in AZ. I used to live in CO around 9,100 ft. Any guesses as to where?

 

Cold oil is thicker and doesnt flow well.

BTW when you engine and tranny and all that stuff was designed it was tested doing cold starts. Cold starts usually involve chillin the part until the oil temp is -40C the leaving it soaking at that temp for 3 or more hours and then starting it up and running it at about 3k RPM until the bearing temps stabilize or something breaks. If it fails that its not in your car.

Its still best for the long life of your car to take it easy until the temps are at normal operating temps.

 

Good to know from someone who really knows about cold temps. Made me laugh at some of the posts coming from guys in Cali and not northern Cali.

 

I think what most of us are trying to convey here is that warming up your car in idle is no longer necessary. The same effect can be achieved with gentle driving the first 5 miles or so. As far as performance, a warm engine will obviously perform better as it was designed to operate at a certain temperature. Getting there by sitting in idle for a couple of mins is not necessary (unless your below 0).

 

I see you've never had a car with an oil temp gauge.