I have a job where I have to be there by 5:30AM every morning. During the summer when I first bought my car, the temperature was at a good 60+ degrees. But now winter is nearing and it's in the low 30's upper 20's when I leave the house. I can tell my engine has a harder time starting in colder weather, which is reasonable. But my question is... starting it in cold weather wont damage the engine right? Are there any precautions that I should be aware of?

 

It wont damage the engine but you should warm up the car a lil before you head out

 

its always bad for your engine to start cold. but you need to do so what the hey

dont make the car engine heat up while being idle. this takes longer for the engine to heatup.

what you do is when you start the car get it rolling slowly for about 2-3 minutes (if your road traffic permits it) that is the best way to heat the engine faster without straining it

hth

 

and try to keep the RPMs under 3k if possible until it warms up

 

Well when I start the engine, the idle RPM is around 1500-1600RPM. After it warms up (when the temperature meter is above the lowest bar), it goes down to about 1100RPM. Then I reverse and take off for work. Is this a good method?

 

im saying if you are going to drive it before it warmed up, keep the rpms under 3K

 

You can get an engine block heater. Problem solved.

 

Also i think a thinner grade of motor oil would help. Try 5w30 castrol synthetic for winter. And 10w30 for summer

 

thanks for your inputs. i already use a 5w30 grade motor oil. and i never rev my engine above 3000rpm (don't laugh at me) anyways so i think i'll be fine.

 

Here's the scoupe..... The battery looses cranking power when it's cold. the car will turn over a bit slower. This is normal. As for warming the car up...... Start it and drive normally. The oils produced these days are far superior to thoses even 5 years ago. The oil film left from the engine being run the previouse day is sufficiant for cold starting, it is also of a low enough viscosity that it flows almost immeadiatly. As for a thinner oil than the 5w/20w your car uses, check your owners manual for recomandations as to when a thinner oil IS recommended.

Happy Motering!!!!!!
(BTW, I've been a Master Honda tech for 22 years.)

 

thank you for your input. i feel a little better about taking my car out early now.