AndyNFRS2k

As per the title really...

How long do you usually wait for the engine/fluids to warm up before taking it into vtec?

I usually like to give it at least 20-25 mins of driving before going to 6k-7k rpm, and at least half an hour before 7k, 8k, 9k.

My mates say I'm paranoid, and I know I probably am, but I just think that the engine is spinning at such a high rpm that I don't want to "stretch its legs" until I'm 100% confident that everything is nice and warm.

Am I being just being stupid/OTT?

Or do other people do the same?

TIA

heymynameismark

I wait for the temp gauge to read normal operating temps.

You'll also find, should you ever try to engage VTEC before it's warm enough, it won't work anyway.

AndyNFRS2k

Yeah I know there's a rev limiter/restrictor on it until it's warmed up, but still - never used that, as I tend to just poodle about in it until I "feel" the car is warm.

I just don't want to cause the engine any undue stress/harm - without sounding like too much of a girl

Bails

I always wait a bit after water is up to operating temperature, oil temp will be no where near operating temp when the water gets up to temperature, best thing for piece of mind would be an oil temp gauge.

garylythgoe

I usually wait until 5-10mins after the water temp gauge is up to normal temperature.

This allows the oil temperature to get up as well.

I do wish (more) cars had an oil temp gauge in them.

Mr-T

Wait until oil is to temperature. I find coolant will be up to temp within a mile or so, but oil takes about 7-8miles. So I would say 7-8 miles and VTEC can kick in -Yo
If you are VERY paranoid, fit an oil temp gauge. But that is taking precaution to extreme.

MattyH

When the gear changes become less notchy and the gear box fluid is warm, I safely assume that the engine oil is up to temp.

Chuck S

My old Alfa was the only car I've owned with an OEM oil temperature gauge. Lower quadrant of the large tach set dead center in the instrument panel. Multi viscosity oils (10w-30 and 5w-40 are spec) lubricate just fine at "low" temperatures and, as noted the ECU limits engine revs until it's at operating temperature in our cars.

The couple of miles to the expressway is enough to lubricate VTEC. That's 5-10 minutes.

-- Chuck

lovegroova

I wait until I hit an NSL stretch of road, which may be as little as 1 mile. 140,000 miles and the engine seems to be fine.

WinFreak

My M3 has shows oil temp instead of water temp.

Always used to do 10 mins or so in the S2000