Okay. I've been searching and looking on the net (including here) with no concrete answer...

Some say that warming up the engine requires you to wait until the revs drop to at least ~900 rpm....

I've also heard that holding the rpms @ 2000 for ten seconds can get the trick done for normal conditions...

What about freezing weather? Or 40*F? Is it a combination of both? None? HELP!

 

you just answered your own question. let it warm up before proceeding on the road.

later the Juikster

 

i usually wait until the water temp passes the first line, and keep it under 3k until the water temp goes to the middle

 

It's all nonsense. You can drive immediately after starting the car. Just keep the rpm low and it'll be just fine.

 

https://www.rx8club.com/new-member-forum-197/new-potential-owners-start-here-202454/

2nd and 3rd post have relevant information, 1st post tells you how to get back to it easier.

 

This is pretty much it. If you're in a hurry, just start it and drive off. However, keep the RPMs below 4K until you're in the normal operating temperature. I prefer to let mine sit for a minute or two before I leave but it shouldn't matter much.

 

You're making a mountain out of mole hill. As others say, just let it warm up a little before driving off. Don't rev high until the temp needle starts to move. (This is good advice for all cars, btw.) And yeah, if you have to drive right off without waiting, no biggy, just don't gun it right away.

In other words, relax.

 

Adding a few more shovelfuls to the mountain... The best way to warm an engine is by driving gently at lower rpm than usual. Warming by idling tends to contribute to carbon buildup, plus more time before the oil is up to temp and flowing properly. The 8's owner's manual says to idle for 10 seconds before driving, which is about the time it takes me to buckle up and check the mirrors.

Ken

 

It really depends where you are located though. Where I live now during the night it might hit 30 degrees on a cold night. When I lived in colorado, I let my cars warm up before moving every time. Not uncommon there to come outside at night and see temps below 0 during this time of year. I know that excessive idling could cause carbon problems. Even out here in vegas I let my car warm up til the first rev limiter drops off or is close to dropping off.

I am patiently waiting for this guy across the street from me to blow his motor or get some major issue. He always starts his mustang up and idles for maybe 15-30 seconds and then when he is 3 blocks away I hear him go WOT almost every time he leaves. Been over 2 years now, its still running lol.