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2003-2009 Nissan 350Z

warming up the car in cold

Old Feb 8, 2006 | 04:02 AM
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Hey guys,

In the cold how much time after you start the car do you let it warm up. I live in long island so its not that cold. But just wanted to make sure.

Thanks
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Old Feb 8, 2006 | 04:08 AM
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no more than a minute
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Old Feb 8, 2006 | 04:35 AM
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I usually try to wait until the needle starts to move. Then I drive. I keep it under 3k until it's fully warmed up.
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Old Feb 8, 2006 | 04:38 AM
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Yeah, 3,000 rpm's for about 5 minutes is good enough imo.
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Old Feb 8, 2006 | 04:45 AM
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+1
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Old Feb 8, 2006 | 05:16 AM
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Originally Posted by tejastelivala
Hey guys,

In the cold how much time after you start the car do you let it warm up. I live in long island so its not that cold. But just wanted to make sure.

Thanks
Turbo or NA?

I let my car warm up for about 5 minutes and then drive under 3K for 5 minutes. It gets pretty cold here and I like to make sure my oil is warmed up before driving.
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Old Feb 8, 2006 | 05:17 AM
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I follow those same rules.
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Old Feb 8, 2006 | 05:19 AM
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Yup, under 3k rpm for the first 5 mins is ideal. Unlike most cars, the Z seems to need about 8-10 mins before oil pressure and everything else heatup to optimal operating temp. If I'm going to redline the engine, I would do it after this period. By the way, that little stopwatch the Z has is very useful for this purpose.

Last edited by Tenac1ousZ; Feb 8, 2006 at 05:21 AM.
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Old Feb 8, 2006 | 05:24 AM
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If the temperature is freezing, about 60 seconds. The engine is brought to operating temperature by driving it, not letting it sit. I will drive at about 2,000 RPM until the temperature needle moves. Then drive as usual.
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Old Feb 8, 2006 | 05:33 AM
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Few minutes here. Then drive slowly up to temp.
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Old Feb 8, 2006 | 05:36 AM
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Living in Florida, I usually don't think about things like this. I usually hit a full 9psi backing out of my garage.
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Old Feb 8, 2006 | 06:17 AM
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down here in tx i really dont have to worry about cold weather but sometime i start it before hand
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Old Feb 8, 2006 | 06:30 AM
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I have synthetic and live in CA. But usually, I give it until the oil pressure needle falls below 60 psi.
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Old Feb 8, 2006 | 07:55 AM
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I just don't drive it if it is below 38 degrees at sunrise. PA weather has been mild this year ( THANK GODZILLA )
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Old Feb 8, 2006 | 08:02 AM
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it does less harm if you drive it more or less straight away, just don't drive it hard until its warmed up.
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Old Feb 8, 2006 | 08:14 AM
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i wait until my rpm needle is idled below 1000 rpm. and i dont go over 3K rpm until my car is completely warmed up.
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Old Feb 8, 2006 | 08:30 AM
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Originally Posted by Tenac1ousZ
Unlike most cars, the Z seems to need about 8-10 mins before oil pressure and everything else heatup to optimal operating temp.
If it's really cold outside most cars take 10-20 minutes of driving to get the oil up to temp. Your coolant needle might move after 5 or 10 minutes but the engine oil is still on the cool side. the movement on the needle starts quickly because the thermostat's closed, and the engine hasn't warmed up the coolant in the radiator yet.

on one of the tests i just ran (not a nissan), -18C ambient (0F), engine oil at -15C, after 10 minutes of idle in neutral (1400 RPM for 4 min, 700 for 6 min), engine oil was at 21C.
going down the road at 50 kph, engine oil levels off at 68C.
down the road at 100 kph, engine oil levels off at 87C.
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Old Feb 8, 2006 | 11:17 AM
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When it is really cold outside and my Z has been started in a day or so I let it sit for 3 min. or until the thermo. starts to move and I still keep it under 3k for a couple of min.
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Old Feb 8, 2006 | 11:22 AM
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Originally Posted by paulsmansfield
it does less harm if you drive it more or less straight away, just don't drive it hard until its warmed up.
That's what I've always been taught as well...the manual says let it warm up for 30 seconds and then drive away in low RPM's to warm up. I'm in the Bay Area and my Z is garaged...but I pretty much do that with all my cars..warm up for 30 seconds and then drive with rpm's under 3k until the temp needle is in the normal range..usually only takes 3-4 minutes.
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Old Feb 8, 2006 | 11:28 AM
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the manual says to let the car be in idle for at least 30 seconds before driving off.... i do a minute or less or until the tach reaches below 1500. then i shift before or around 3000 but no more until the temp gauge is normal.
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