How many miles for fully warmed oil temp ?

As above really. It's five miles to the motorway from where I live a I can keep it under 2,000 RPM to the motorway, by which time it's at 75 degrees. Sometimes sooner depending on how warm it is, as Perry pointed out. Up to 90 takes about another 5 miles on the motorway at just over 70mph on the GPS, not going over 3,000 until then. To be honest I've not paid enough attention to notice a mile or two variance due to the oil - though I do notice it taking longer when it's colder.
 
No less than 10 miles for me plus I let it sit running on the drive for 5 mins before I drive off. Better safe than sorry in my book.
Stevo
 
stevo///m3 said:
No less than 10 miles for me plus I let it sit running on the drive for 5 mins before I drive off. Better safe than sorry in my book.Stevo
Click to expand...
I thought that was worse than just getting in & driving it.

I just get into mine and drive it, keeping it below 3000rpm max until the oil temp is between the 1/4 & 1/2 mark on the gauge.
 
stevo///m3 said:
No less than 10 miles for me plus I let it sit running on the drive for 5 mins before I drive off. Better safe than sorry in my book.
Stevo
Click to expand...

I wouldn't advise that, it might help the engine, but doesn't help the gearbox or diff get up to temperature!!
 
Depends how warm it is to start with. This time of year 3-5 miles. In the winter 5-10 miles The light goes out after about 2 miles. Like most, I ignore them and watch the temp gauge. Normal running, mine settles at around 80 deg showing on the dial. :D

PS. The gear box takes around that long to warm up as well.
 
gwatson said:
stevo///m3 said:
No less than 10 miles for me plus I let it sit running on the drive for 5 mins before I drive off. Better safe than sorry in my book.
Stevo
Click to expand...

I wouldn't advise that, it might help the engine, but doesn't help the gearbox or diff get up to temperature!!
Click to expand...

Definitely doesn't help the engine. Lots of wear happening during that 5 mins.
 
I've never got this, what difference does 5 mins idling on a drive make over 2k rpm when driving it? Or 5 mins waiting at lights. Do you turn the engine off when it'd idling?
 
The point is not really the engine - you're right in that there's no more wear on the engine idling than when you're driving it. Arguably less. But if you just let it sit on the driveway then the diff and gearbox oil remain cold, relatively speaking, so will take longer to heat up - logic says you'll be pushing the engine before everything else is warmed up enough.
 
Crikey. Hornet's nest. Procedure is: open car, take out of gear, clutch in, turn key, get out, have cig whilst car is idling, finish cig, drive away not exceeding 2.5k revs until temp is 3/8ths on the dial. If that's causing damage, I best sell it and let someone else do the damage! I am very sympathetic with it mechanically speaking. I'm not letting it idle away and then turning it off and going back indoors...
Stevo
 
I don't know specifically for the M (out of my league... One day!) but researching the HVA issues (specific to the 3.0 N52 engine, not M related) led me to starting the car and driving normally keeping revs below 3k.

Why? There will be less wear revving at idle speed than above idle as less engine revolutions, but only once the oil has filled all of the galleries and circulated all of the engine. So my understanding is that the advice to turn on and drive is more to make sure the engine is well lubed up, rather than just to get heat into the oil quickly. A decent synthetic oil should circulate and lubricate well enough cold with idle speed induced oil pressure.
I guess in the UK the only real risk is idling in cold temps with marginally more viscous oil, which annoyingly is the most likely time to do it, defrosting the ice off the glass!
 
A few moments should see oil into all parts from cold & gentle driving would warm everything quicker than idling plus it doesn't let condensation build in exhaust system
I crack the car up in garage , tickle it out onto driveway , close garage door then away , samw with all cars ive had , can,t remember the exact car but it was stated in handbook to not let idle from cold & to start car & drive away to allow engine & drivetrain fluids to fully warm up quicker ? Might have been a Lexus ??
 
mr wilks said:
A few moments should see oil into all parts from cold & gentle driving would warm everything quicker than idling plus it doesn't let condensation build in exhaust system
I crack the car up in garage , tickle it out onto driveway , close garage door then away , samw with all cars ive had , can,t remember the exact car but it was stated in handbook to not let idle from cold & to start car & drive away to allow engine & drivetrain fluids to fully warm up quicker ? Might have been a Lexus ??
Click to expand...


same process here!
 
Why speculate? The owner's manual states:
" Starting the engine

Do not let the engine warm up in idling position. Instead, begin to drive at moderate engine speeds."
 
I never let it idle to warm it up — I just drive it straight away, with care in the manner you describe above Stevo.
 
Bing said:
I never let it idle to warm it up — I just drive it straight away, with care in the manner you describe above Stevo.
Click to expand...
I've done that with most other cars I've owned - you can't do it with the Alpina from cold though, it doesn't like it!

You have to allow it to go through its 'bag of spanners' start-up sequence, so have to wait until you hear the secondary air pump shut off and the idle drop before engaging gear - takes around 30 seconds during the summer, a bit longer in the winter
 
Isn't the whole leaving to idle at start up to do with damaging the cats rather than the engine?
I usually just wait until the air pump shuts off, about 30 seconds then drive off.
 
You certainly don't want the O2 sensors getting fouled otherwise the ECU won't be able to regulate fuelling properly.
 
exdos said:
Why speculate? The owner's manual states:
" Starting the engine

Do not let the engine warm up in idling position. Instead, begin to drive at moderate engine speeds."
Click to expand...


end thread really.....
 
AndyBeech said:
Isn't the whole leaving to idle at start up to do with damaging the cats rather than the engine?
I usually just wait until the air pump shuts off, about 30 seconds then drive off.
Click to expand...

For those of us non-technical, it that similar to how Perry described it on his Alpina? I notice something 'stops' (or starts for that matter!), and the car is then a little more quiet & revs lower slightly. I tend to wait for this and then drive off.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom