How long does it take for oil to go from the oil pump, all around the engine, back to the oil pump for another round. This is in a cold start situation, at 60*F. I was just wondering this, because I wanted to know how long to wait to start driving after the car starts.. I know to take it easy until the engine gets up to temp, but you can't drive at idle .


-justin

I have always heard that you only need to wait about a minute or so, ( probably cause they don't like to have idling cars). It is actually startup that is the killer. So if you wait a minute or so ( if you are in a rush) you should be good but just take it easy if you can, you don't wanna warp any heads or anything.


The only reason I see letting the car sit longer is so that it can get up to temp more and you get heat blowing so you don't freeze your *** off.

I have also started the car and not waited much time at all and go, but it was really cold, ( being up in Northern Ontario and all), I have seen it be -40 outside so not much is moving at all. That is when you let it run as long as it takes to get heat otherwise you won't be planning to have any kids, LOL.

On larger equipment a rule of thumb is to watch the oil pressure gauge, when that comes up and levels out (not bouncing) your good to go. Remember though that even if the engine oil is up to temp the rest of the car is not, and it can take a while for the tranny to loosen and the tires to come back into round (frozen square tires).

Pontiac Dad: I thought that, too was a good guage on when to start driving, but my oil pressure gauge goes right to 40-45 right after the engine starts up, and doesn't fluctuate except when revving before the engine warms up [usually still less than 5PSI].

I would always let my car idle for at least a minute on a cold start [even if it wasn't cold outside], because I am not one to risk engine damage to get where I am going one minute early.

SSE1990: Sounds like somebody needs a remote start.. and a battery powered pants heater.


-justin

I have a remote starter with alarm, but never had it installed in my Malibu since it was 300$ just to install it, and with all the driving I do I figured the car would be finished in a couple years anyhow, plus i have to bypass a few things to allow the starter to work properly. I have heard of issues with remote starters on the Malibu'* so it is just sitting at home right now.

What? How would that happen?

the rubber gets so cold that the tire actually dosent retain roundness, the tires will have a flat spot where the cars weight was sitting on the tires from the night before

If your tire pressure is at proper level, then you will not have that issue. But with out front heavy Bonnevilles.. the front tires have flat spots, with just 2PSI below reg. pressure.


-justin

when it gets cold you lose tire PSI because cold air is less dense

Just like when you have been driving for a while, the air less dense, and 30PSI may really be 32PSI. And when cold, it would be 28PSI, but it would read 30PSI.


-justin