How long does it take for the engine and oil to warm up?
Registered User
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 3,660
Likes: 2
From: Midlothian
Let's look at this with some facts:
1) Because of the water to oil heat exchanger used to cool the oil, it works on the opposite on warm-up - it helps heat the oil to proper temeprature faster! This is part of the S2000's emissions strategy, as is the air pump to heat the catalytic converter fast. The air pump has no real effect on engine oil.
2) Engine oil temperature rises much less quickly than the coolant - there is no thermostat in the oil loop! #1 speeds things, but I personally would never red line without at least 10 minutes running time in warm climates, 20 in the winter.
3) Expansion rates. All of the metals in the engine expand at different rates - the block, the piston skirts, the rings, the cam, the cam follower/rockers, etc. Engineers measure all these things, and optimum performance (in terms of reducing wear) occurs when "homeostasis" is achieved - that is, when the coolant has reached its normal temperature, the oil as well, and the design tolerances of the critical components have been realized. That can take as long as 20 minutes to achieve.
4) Oil efficiency. Many people think that because they use a synoil, the issue of optimum oil temperature is no longer important. From a startup perspective that is essentially true, since synoil's flow well at low temps because they do have have the wax crystals that cause thickening at low temps. However, that is looking out just one end of the telescope. All oils have additives that reduce wear, either by friction reduction, boundary wear reduction, etc. Those additives work best when the oil is at 200 degF or more. It takes on average about 15 minutes for the oil to reach that temperature in cold climates, more or less depending on ambient temps.
Conclusion: Drive it as you will. I say the smart money does not let the PGM-FI system make the call by 3 bars or 5 or whatever. Honda wants to make it through the warranty period, which is mighty short. I would think most everyone here is looking for longer service life.
RR says let the car warm up fully, and don't rely on the coolant temperature - 4/5's of an iceberg is below the surface.
1) Because of the water to oil heat exchanger used to cool the oil, it works on the opposite on warm-up - it helps heat the oil to proper temeprature faster! This is part of the S2000's emissions strategy, as is the air pump to heat the catalytic converter fast. The air pump has no real effect on engine oil.
2) Engine oil temperature rises much less quickly than the coolant - there is no thermostat in the oil loop! #1 speeds things, but I personally would never red line without at least 10 minutes running time in warm climates, 20 in the winter.
3) Expansion rates. All of the metals in the engine expand at different rates - the block, the piston skirts, the rings, the cam, the cam follower/rockers, etc. Engineers measure all these things, and optimum performance (in terms of reducing wear) occurs when "homeostasis" is achieved - that is, when the coolant has reached its normal temperature, the oil as well, and the design tolerances of the critical components have been realized. That can take as long as 20 minutes to achieve.
4) Oil efficiency. Many people think that because they use a synoil, the issue of optimum oil temperature is no longer important. From a startup perspective that is essentially true, since synoil's flow well at low temps because they do have have the wax crystals that cause thickening at low temps. However, that is looking out just one end of the telescope. All oils have additives that reduce wear, either by friction reduction, boundary wear reduction, etc. Those additives work best when the oil is at 200 degF or more. It takes on average about 15 minutes for the oil to reach that temperature in cold climates, more or less depending on ambient temps.
Conclusion: Drive it as you will. I say the smart money does not let the PGM-FI system make the call by 3 bars or 5 or whatever. Honda wants to make it through the warranty period, which is mighty short. I would think most everyone here is looking for longer service life.
RR says let the car warm up fully, and don't rely on the coolant temperature - 4/5's of an iceberg is below the surface.
Registered User
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 6,182
Likes: 1
From: Hollywood
ok, a little off topic but since we are talking about my04 bars, i just changed my oil, just want to make sure everything is ok.
i get like half the temp guage lit up on a consistent basis on the my04. you my04 people does that sound right to you, it is like 6 bars or something. car seems to be running excellent though. do you other my04 peeps get about 6 bars at normal running temp?
i get like half the temp guage lit up on a consistent basis on the my04. you my04 people does that sound right to you, it is like 6 bars or something. car seems to be running excellent though. do you other my04 peeps get about 6 bars at normal running temp?
Registered User
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 5,937
Likes: 7
From: houston
Originally posted by Be3LiCiOuS
so would you say to let the car sit for like 5-10 mins while its warming up before leaving the house?
so would you say to let the car sit for like 5-10 mins while its warming up before leaving the house?
Idle for 30 seconds or less, take off, keep rev's under 3,500 until the proper amount of bars shows up(3 bars for 00-03's and I'm not sure for the 04's), and then it's up to you from there to decide when your engine at full running temp; however, as Road Rage already explained that could take up to 20 mins in some cases.
Registered User
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 6,182
Likes: 1
From: Hollywood
hey Intrepid175, thanks for your opinion, now i can guage my running temp with another 04 rider. i thought it was normal, i just wanted to make sure that other 04 riders were getting the same thing. it is not like a know a lot of my04 people around here that i can look at their guage cluster.
as far as warming up, i start up the car, get a cigarette out light it, about 10-15 sec. and take off very easily if the car is not warm, then drive around til my 8 bars or so, then drive harder.
as far as warming up, i start up the car, get a cigarette out light it, about 10-15 sec. and take off very easily if the car is not warm, then drive around til my 8 bars or so, then drive harder.
Registered User
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 1,777
Likes: 0
From: Newport Beach
Wow, how long do you guys plan on keeping your cars ? I turn mine over every 2-3 years while they are still under warranty so I drive them hard as soon as I start the car. Long life for the motor, why would I care what the next owner gets. If it blows while I own it off to the dealer for me. What annoys me is that damn limiter that blocks full revs before the 3 bars of temp.
Drive it like a rental !
Drive it like a rental !
