Short distances kill your car – DPF, turbo, excessive wear of engine components, exhaust corrosion, moisture in oil – walk or use mass transport if you can’t warm up your car!
I don’t have any oil temperature gauges in my car – all is based on experiences and feel (UPDATE 2016-08-08 After purchasing Polar FIS+ onboard diagnostic, I can safely say that my estimates were almost right. Of course, if you are one of those with disabled EGR – do not wonder warming up your engine takes ages !!! )
If you see coolant temperature gauge at operational temperature of around 90deg C, it doesn’t mean your engine is ready for abuse – oil is not warmed up!
I’ve found out a simple way to warm up your car properly. It all depends on a ambient temperature.
There is a simple, less accurate way.
At about zero deg C, it takes about 30km to warm up your car engine and gearbox.
A scientific more accurate way.
- watch your trip meter or ODO meter – once the coolant temperature is at optimal, mark the distance
- it takes double distance/time to warm up engine oil
- it takes double distance/time to warm up gearbox oil
An example based on my recent trip with ambient temperature about 5 deg C.
At trip distance of 12km, the engine coolant was at operational temperature. At 24km, the engine oil was warmed up. At 48th km gearbox oil was ready for abuse.
Soon, I’m going to buy an onboard diagnostic – I wonder how this method is accurate.