How long do you normally warm up your RX-8 before driving in this cold weather?
#1
Registered
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Schaumburg, Illinois
Posts: 204
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
How long do you normally warm up your RX-8 before driving in this cold weather?
I haven't faced any really cold days with my 8 before this past week, and just to be on the safe side I want to make sure I'm allowing it to warm up enough before I drive off. I read somewhere about the aluminum and the cast iron expanding at different temperatures in the rotor housing and that it could cause the engine to lock up. Normally I give it about 5 minutes or just enought time for it to idle down to about 1000 rpms.
#3
Black and B-E-A-UTIFUL!
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Wisconsin
Posts: 287
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I idle until the RPMs drop to 1500 or so (usually about 20 seconds), then, as stated above, drive VERY grandma-like until the engine is fully warm. I normally try to shift at or below 3k for my grandma driving.
#4
Registered User
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Misinformation Director - Evolv Chicago
Posts: 3,086
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
^^^
I basically do what you say. When the temp gauge/idiot indicator reaches the warm setting, I then wait an additional five minutes and then consider it ready to go. Very important to let the internals reach their proper size before thrashing the engine.
I basically do what you say. When the temp gauge/idiot indicator reaches the warm setting, I then wait an additional five minutes and then consider it ready to go. Very important to let the internals reach their proper size before thrashing the engine.
#5
Totally confuzzled...
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Indianapolis, IN
Posts: 690
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I personally let it warm up until the temperature gauge at least starts to move. I don't care how many people swear by it, I refuse to drive my car, gently or not, until I know the fluids are at least marginally warm. Driving at low RPM's is also hard on the drivetrain; this car is NOT made to run properly at those engine speeds, it just bogs the engine... Not to mention, traffic doesn't always safely allow you to do that anyways (I pull onto a highway two blocks from my house... it would be suicide to drive that slowly) Besides, it's nice to be able to actually return after a couple of minutes to a functioning vent and seat heater and stave off hypothermia.
The only thing you need to be careful of is not to let it idle once it's reached operating temperature. Doing so can make things a little TOO warm. At worst, just take off before the needle reaches the point it usually stays at, and you'll be fine.
The only thing you need to be careful of is not to let it idle once it's reached operating temperature. Doing so can make things a little TOO warm. At worst, just take off before the needle reaches the point it usually stays at, and you'll be fine.
#6
Mmmmm... Rotary Donut
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Lake in the Hills, IL (NW Chicago Burbs)
Posts: 2,376
Likes: 0
Received 4 Likes
on
2 Posts
As long as it's above zero, I let it warm up about 30 seconds at the most, and drive under 4k rpm until it's up to operating temp. I won't really get on it until another 10 minutes after that though. Since my 8 is garage kept overnight, the morning starts are usually in the 40's... it's leaving work in the brutal cold that sucks for me. The lowest I've driven in so far was -18F, which I did let warm up for 2-3 minutes first... the shifter & tranny were very stiff at that temp and difficult to drive until warmed up a bit.
#8
Mmmmm... Rotary Donut
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Lake in the Hills, IL (NW Chicago Burbs)
Posts: 2,376
Likes: 0
Received 4 Likes
on
2 Posts
Originally Posted by RedSheDevil
^ really dreading those temperatures...
i should move to florida......
i should move to florida......
As for Florida- after 20 years there, I'm damn glad to be in the midwest. And that was before they were getting bitch-slapped by hurricanes every year... now you couldn't pay me to move back. I do like to visit the Key West though, like I am in 2 weeks! Look out liver!!! 5 straight days of partying ahead!!!
#9
Registered User
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Misinformation Director - Evolv Chicago
Posts: 3,086
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I'll be back in FL for the holidays. This weeks is supposed to be only in 50's where I'm going, though. I just can't escape this horrible weather. But I do always tell people that Chicago, as a city, is well worth enduring the cold for what it offers in return.
#10
Mmmmm... Rotary Donut
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Lake in the Hills, IL (NW Chicago Burbs)
Posts: 2,376
Likes: 0
Received 4 Likes
on
2 Posts
Originally Posted by Red Devil
I'll be back in FL for the holidays. This weeks is supposed to be only in 50's where I'm going, though. I just can't escape this horrible weather. But I do always tell people that Chicago, as a city, is well worth enduring the cold for what it offers in return.
I figure it will be about 70 milliseconds before I hear one of them bitch about how cold it is here
#11
It can get chilly in the mornings here. I sit idle until I'm just under 1500 RPMS, then baby and shift under 4k until I'm just under "warm." This is about when I'm at the highway so I accelerate to get on and then I'm good to go.
#12
Administrator
iTrader: (7)
I usually let it sit for about 5 minutes or so in the morning.
By the time I get back out to my car the needle is approaching the halfway mark. It's about a 5 minute drive to the freeway so by the time I get there, the car is usually warmed up quite a bit.
Off Topic: Forget Florida! You need to come out to California.
Real Time Weather update-
84 degrees today. Talk about a nice sunny Thanksgiving this year...
Wind = 8 mph
humidity only 11%
By the time I get back out to my car the needle is approaching the halfway mark. It's about a 5 minute drive to the freeway so by the time I get there, the car is usually warmed up quite a bit.
Off Topic: Forget Florida! You need to come out to California.
Real Time Weather update-
84 degrees today. Talk about a nice sunny Thanksgiving this year...
Wind = 8 mph
humidity only 11%
#13
Mmmmm... Rotary Donut
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Lake in the Hills, IL (NW Chicago Burbs)
Posts: 2,376
Likes: 0
Received 4 Likes
on
2 Posts
Originally Posted by Jedi54
I usually let it sit for about 5 minutes or so in the morning.
By the time I get back out to my car the needle is approaching the halfway mark. It's about a 5 minute drive to the freeway so by the time I get there, the car is usually warmed up quite a bit.
Off Topic: Forget Florida! You need to come out to California.
Real Time Weather update-
84 degrees today. Talk about a nice sunny Thanksgiving this year...
Wind = 8 mph
humidity only 11%
By the time I get back out to my car the needle is approaching the halfway mark. It's about a 5 minute drive to the freeway so by the time I get there, the car is usually warmed up quite a bit.
Off Topic: Forget Florida! You need to come out to California.
Real Time Weather update-
84 degrees today. Talk about a nice sunny Thanksgiving this year...
Wind = 8 mph
humidity only 11%
#16
'O' - 'H' !!! ...
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Detroit (Westland), MI
Posts: 563
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
This has been discussed before, and it's not necessarily high RPMs that can hurt an engine when it is cold, but rather the load. If you are keeping the engine speed extremely low and are close to bogging the engine, you are putting a lot more stress on the engine components than if you drive at higher RPMs with light throttle application. I try to drive with as little throttle input as possible when the car is very cold, while keeping the RPMs reasonably low (4-5k is fine).
#17
Also, those really cold days are when the little plastic "thingy" around the parking brake lever breaks. If you use the parking brake in winter, be careful not to push it all the way down when releasing it. Let it go down below the last notch and it won't be "on" but the dash light may stay on. As the interior warms up, the light will go off. (You may end up breaking that stupid plastic thing anyway.)
#18
.:. causing mischief
Originally Posted by jaedcem
Also, those really cold days are when the little plastic "thingy" around the parking brake lever breaks. If you use the parking brake in winter, be careful not to push it all the way down when releasing it. Let it go down below the last notch and it won't be "on" but the dash light may stay on. As the interior warms up, the light will go off. (You may end up breaking that stupid plastic thing anyway.)
this is my first winter with the shedevil and i dont wanna break anything because of my ignorance ....
#19
'04 MT RX8/71 351C Mach1
I've also noticed this phenomenon with the parking brake light staying on when the brake is released normally. However, I've been pushing it down to make the light go off! Oops!! I'll try not doing that and see if the light goes off by itself next time. What is the "plastic thingy"?
Zoom, Zoom!
Zoom, Zoom!
#20
.:. causing mischief
Originally Posted by glassetcher
What is the "plastic thingy"?
Zoom, Zoom!
Zoom, Zoom!
what is the plastic thingy?
also, i dont use my ebrake in the winter at all now, i just put it in gear ...
#21
Mmmmm... Rotary Donut
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Lake in the Hills, IL (NW Chicago Burbs)
Posts: 2,376
Likes: 0
Received 4 Likes
on
2 Posts
Originally Posted by RedSheDevil
yea yea, what he said that i said and then we said ....
what is the plastic thingy?
also, i dont use my ebrake in the winter at all now, i just put it in gear ...
what is the plastic thingy?
also, i dont use my ebrake in the winter at all now, i just put it in gear ...
I think they're referring to the rubbery tab below the parking brake lever which becomes stiff when the temp is below freezing. On mine, when the temp gets around 0 or below, that thing is so rigid the parking brake sticks up a few degrees higher than normal, triggering the "e-brake is engaged" light. I just ignore it... as the cabin temp goes up the tab thingy returns to it's rubbery state and allows the brake to fully seat itself. What I don't understand is how that tab thingy could break... mine has seen -18F and survived no problem- unless they changed the material, I don't see how that rubber would snap off.
PS- I recommend using the e-brake even in the winter if you're on any kind of incline... unlike piston engines, rotaries can spin much easier with just the force of gravity pulling on the car in gear. I know it's unnerving to break loose the ice between the rotors and pads on the rear when you get started in the morning, but it doesn't hurt anything.
#22
.:. causing mischief
Originally Posted by G8rboy
I recommend using the e-brake even in the winter if you're on any kind of incline... unlike piston engines, rotaries can spin much easier with just the force of gravity pulling on the car in gear. I know it's unnerving to break loose the ice between the rotors and pads on the rear when you get started in the morning, but it doesn't hurt anything.
ok off to read the manual! i will report on my findings!!! (its really no biggie, im prolly one of the few who has actually read almost all of it already!)
#23
Mmmmm... Rotary Donut
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Lake in the Hills, IL (NW Chicago Burbs)
Posts: 2,376
Likes: 0
Received 4 Likes
on
2 Posts
Originally Posted by RedSheDevil
damn, for real? someone just told me the manual said dont use the ebrake in the winter.
ok off to read the manual! i will report on my findings!!! (its really no biggie, im prolly one of the few who has actually read almost all of it already!)
ok off to read the manual! i will report on my findings!!! (its really no biggie, im prolly one of the few who has actually read almost all of it already!)
#24
'04 MT RX8/71 351C Mach1
So why is it the pads freeze up with the parking brake on? I've noticed the same thing after a wash in the Summer or overnight with wet/snowy roads this winter. (I should probably be able to figure this out, but after a couple of manhattans while I'm waiting for the Packers game, I'm just too lazy to think about it (we need a Manhattan Smile!)
Zoom, Zoom!
Zoom, Zoom!
#25
Mmmmm... Rotary Donut
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Lake in the Hills, IL (NW Chicago Burbs)
Posts: 2,376
Likes: 0
Received 4 Likes
on
2 Posts
Originally Posted by glassetcher
So why is it the pads freeze up with the parking brake on? I've noticed the same thing after a wash in the Summer or overnight with wet/snowy roads this winter. (I should probably be able to figure this out, but after a couple of manhattans while I'm waiting for the Packers game, I'm just too lazy to think about it (we need a Manhattan Smile!)
Zoom, Zoom!
Zoom, Zoom!
In the summer after a car wash, the pads stick from the surface rust forming on the rotors... in the winter the thin layer of water between the pad and rotor freezes. There have been times I had to rev it up a bit and really gun it to pop them loose in the winter.