Warming engine up, does it matter if it's winter?

[sgtsandman]

Serious question: What is "it"?



CMOS

Temperature and the ability of oil to flow.

 

[19Walt93]

Well, I've run nothing but 20W-50 in my 98 for 23 years and 174,750 miles. It h ad 10,000 miles on it when I bought it, have no idea what kind of oil was in it. 20w-50 has never been a problem for me, even when it gets down close to zero here. Which is rare as a hens tooth. One time so far this winter, -3. Started and ran just fine. But yes, kept in a garage. When it's super cold, and I first start it, it's kinda noisy. Only last about two seconds, then quiets down proper.

Thick oil doesn't lubricate any better unless your running screaming high RPMs, it just adds parasitic drag by making the oil pump work harder. I ran 10w30 in my Mustang for around 20 drag racing seasons and the 351 in my Ranger has 5w30 Motorcraft in it from the bulk oil system at the dealer. No, I'm not too lazy to change my own oil, I bring my 5 qt jugs in and fill them.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

I usually just let it warm up while I scrape ice.

Now with remote start, it runs for 10 minutes max which usually clears the windshield on its own.

When it was -20 a few weeks ago, I had the block heater plugged in on a timer. 3 hours on there, 10min remote start and it was at operating temp by the time I got to the highway.

 

[ummduh]

I don't treat anything any different at any point. If it's running WOT is on the table. We get down to -10 or so sometimes, and a lot of 0-10's, F.