Cold starts/oil pressure readings

JDgreen227 · Feb 19, 2013

No matter what the temperature outdoors, after initially starting my car or truck I let them idle for 2-3 minutes before engaging gears and driving away, and if it really cold outside I try to use very little throttle for the first half mile, easing up to speed and trying to keep the rpm's low. Problem is, I live on a rather busy road with a 55 mph limit, and if I pull out in front of another car a half mile away, odds are he will be on my bumper before I get to the 4-way stop a half mile distant from my driveway. My GMC has an oil pressure gage, and I wonder if speeding up quicker and sending the gage to the 70 psi mark a few hundred feet out of my driveway is such a good idea in 15 degree weather.

Any comments?

90cummins · Feb 21, 2013

High pressure won't hurt a thing and it won't hurt those behind you to slow down when they see you pull out!
90cummins

oldnslo · Feb 21, 2013

JD,
The only possible thing that could happen is your by-pass valve on the oil filter opens momentarily. Since you have already let the engine run for a couple of minutes the oil is flowing so i would not expect any other engine damage.

On my Toyota they have designed it to not shift when the tranny is cold until the engine RPM are above 2200 - 2300 and I haven't heard of any engine problems because of this.

murphy1244 · Feb 21, 2013

Remote start is your freind

oldyellr · Feb 26, 2013

murphy1244 said:
Remote start is your freind

You mean so he can let it idle for 10-15 minutes instead of 2-3? Not necessary and can even be harmful in cold weather because that lets condensation accumulate in the crankcase and exhaust system. I only let a vehicle idle that long if I need to melt 1/2" of ice off it. Driving under light throttle is a much better way to warm up an engine. If that means driving under the speed limit for a couple of blocks, use the 4-way flashers.

murphy1244 · Feb 26, 2013

No I don't mean 10-15 minutes. I mean for the time it takes for me to get my coat on and lock the door. You do it your way and I'll do it my way and don't put words from my key board.:laughing: