2 questions:

1) Is it normal for my car to idle at 2k when I first start the engine, and once it's warmed up...1k idle should be fine right?

2) Is it alright to warm the car-up for a few minutes, once I get about 3 or 4 bars on the temp gauge?

 

Don't bother with the 3 or 4 bar warm up, not only does the engine have to warm up, but so does the tranny and rear. Just drive it easy for a little bit and let everything get warm at the same time.

 

1. Yes it is normal.

2. Dont bother waiting. Waste of gas. Just don't drive it like you stole it until after a while

 

cold idle will be higher than regular idle(when your engine is warm).

don't beat on it at startup. take it easy for a bit. wait until the temp gauge hits 3 bars(for ap1, not sure how many bars is normal temp for an ap2) and wait a couple more mins before you start driving it hard. just because your coolant is warmed up doesn't mean your oil is.

 

Give it a little while after the coolant is up to get the oil up to temp.

 

its 7 or 8 bars on AP2. I think VTEC is good when theres 3 or 4 bars though, but dont quote me on this.

 

It usually takes me about 3-5 mins to get to the freeway from my house and by then im at about 3-4 bars. That's wen I wanna hear my car

But when I start it I like to leave the car running about 2-4 mins long just to get all the parts properly moving. IDK that's my 2 cents. Coming from a BMW I learned that it's best to let the car run for atleast 2 mins in 2 mins you wont lose too much gas dont worry and if you can afford a S2K you can afford those 2 mins.

 

i usually start the car right when i get to it and let it run while i put stuff in the trunk, take the car cover off, etc. it just makes engineering sense to let things warm up to temp and the gas "savings" are negligible.

 

I keep it under 3k until mile 3, under 5k until mile 5, then let 'er rip.

 

Just don't be stupid about it. Drive gently for a while while everything warms up.