Warm-up procedure
#12
I just get in and go...
by the time I get out of my driveway, neighborhood, etc. it's about 1-1/2 miles that I probably don't go above 2000rpm or 30mph.
Overall, I usually take it easily until it's a little warmed up (at least 150-160 degrees), but even when I lived in chilly NYC, I'd just turn on my CRX and take off without regard to engine speed and it easily made 165,000 miles and never burned any oil (and still runs and lives in my garage!).
Agree with Wade 4.2 and the manual, although I do question how idling affects engine wear. The amount of time wasted idling is virtually nil compared to the amount of time driving so I doubt the engine is going to die anytime sooner if it gets idled for a few minutes.
Do whatever you're comfortable with, I doubt it makes any difference as long as you're not gunning a cold engine (which, as you said, you're not).
Overall, I usually take it easily until it's a little warmed up (at least 150-160 degrees), but even when I lived in chilly NYC, I'd just turn on my CRX and take off without regard to engine speed and it easily made 165,000 miles and never burned any oil (and still runs and lives in my garage!).
Agree with Wade 4.2 and the manual, although I do question how idling affects engine wear. The amount of time wasted idling is virtually nil compared to the amount of time driving so I doubt the engine is going to die anytime sooner if it gets idled for a few minutes.
Do whatever you're comfortable with, I doubt it makes any difference as long as you're not gunning a cold engine (which, as you said, you're not).
#15
Watch the oil temperature guage.
After reviewing the owner's manual for my 2001 4.2, I pay close attention to the oil temperature guage. The owner's manual says it's OK to run the engine hard once the oil temperature gets to about 175 degrees Fahrenheit, which occurs several minutes after the coolant is warm.
#16
175 degrees is as high as mine ever goes
My oil temp has never exceeded the midway mark between 150-200 even after nearly an hour straight of 100+ mph. I don't drive mine hard until it starts moving above the 150 mark, but 150 to 175 takes only a minute or so of driving beyond the time it took to get to 150.
#18
Not checked, will ask at 5k service next month, but
figured the 8 cylinder may run a bit cooler than the 210-220 that I've seen here that most 2.7Ts run. Overall, I guess I haven't been too worried, I remember one of the 4.2s I test drove peaked at about 185.
Will see, thanks.
Will see, thanks.
#20
Ambient temp has a big effect on what the oil temp runs and can explain some of the variance.
The oil temp on my A6 4.2 runs at around 175 when the ambient temperature is below freezing and 25 to 50 degrees warmer when ambient temps are warmer. Oil type (mineral or synth) and viscosity are also variables that have an effect on what the operating oil temp will be under a given set of conditions.
I agree with SLLA642 and the manual. I don't allow RPM to exceed 3k until the oil temp is around 175F. And I have ALSO noticed that this doesn't occur until several minutes after the coolant is up to normal operating temp (thermostat is opening to maintain coolant temp). This may be a bit conservative but I'm comfortable with it and believe it will help avoid excessive wear on a cold engine.
I agree with SLLA642 and the manual. I don't allow RPM to exceed 3k until the oil temp is around 175F. And I have ALSO noticed that this doesn't occur until several minutes after the coolant is up to normal operating temp (thermostat is opening to maintain coolant temp). This may be a bit conservative but I'm comfortable with it and believe it will help avoid excessive wear on a cold engine.