el Diablo

"Reynaud" <sjimk@mts.net> wrote in message
news:dRTyd.5439$Ka6.35038@news1.mts.net...
>
> "Ryan" <nomoremail@netzero.com> wrote in message
> news:IESyd.249706$V41.213638@attbi_s52...
> >I keep seeing and hearing different opinions about this:
> >
> > When it's cold outside (say 32 degrees or lower), what is the best way
to
> > get a car going after it has been sitting and the engine is cold?
> >
> > Years ago I read an article from some Q&A article in the newspaper.
These
> > two guys said it's better for a car if you just get in and go. For
> > starters, the car will warm up quicker...plus there is something about
> > that
> > it's easier on the engine. For years I have always drove this way...get
> > in
> > and go. After about 1.5 to 2 miles, the car is at normal operating
> > temperature. Well, a co-worker at work said that you actually want to
> > leave
> > them run to heat up the oil. His opinion (this was mostly for older
cars)
> > was that if you don't allow the oil to heat up, it might ruin the
> > transmission.
> >
> > So I am asking folks here: My previous car did have some transmission
> > problems, but that occurred after 100K miles. I know that the previous
> > owner did let it sit and heat up. I didn't, and I now wonder if it
> > eventually caused problems. This was in a V6 with 5w-30 motor oil. I
now
> > have a 2000 Grand Am V6. This summer I switched from 5w-30 to 10w-30
Max
> > Life oil since the engine has over 100K on it now. The car actually
runs
> > pretty well. I want to try to keep it as it will be paid off come
> > February.
> > So, to the folks here....what is the best way to drive a cold car in the
> > winter? Let it warm up fully? Partially? Or just start driving and
have
> > it warm up quicker? Is the cold oil that big of a problem with the
> > transmission? Granted I have not had a problem over the last 4 years,
> > however I am now using a heavy oil (first time using it this
> > winter)...could
> > that make a difference?
> >
> > PS: My owners manual says nothing about this in the book. At least not
> > what
> > I could find.
> >
> >#%*
> Most people in Man. where it gets real cold just warm the vehicle for an
few
> minutes and then drive slowly till the heater starts throwing heat
> thereafter normal operation.
>
> Rey
>
>

Follow Reynaud's advice, you can't go wrong with a few minutes of war up in
cold weather. It allows the metals to start warming and expanding before
putting major stress on the engine and transmission.

Brian