Another contentious thread?

[Hibbo]

What is better for a cold engine; higher revs/lower load, or lower revs/higher load?

Put otherwise, is it best to use as higher gear as possible, or keep in a lower gear to reduce the load on the engine?

I know we don't have as much control over this on autos, but for example I often leave mine in 3 if not doing over 40mph when it's cold. I don't like the idea of a cold engine labouring, but are the higher revs doing it more harm?

 

[whitenemesis]

I think the ecu maintains revs higher when the engine is cold to speed warming up. So I would say higher revs lower load is better. Labouring an engine at any temperature is not a good thing..... IMHO

 

[panason1c]

My personal opinion is that on a cold engine actual revs are not an important concern (within reason), i feel that the 'load' placed on the engine is more relevent and the gears should be used freely to lessen the engine load until it has reached its normal working temp.

Just my opinion.

 

[television]

What is better for a cold engine; higher revs/lower load, or lower revs/higher load?

In otherwise, is it best to use as higher gear as possible, or keep in a lower gear to reduce the load on the engine?

I know we don't have as much control over this on autos, but for example I often leave mine in 3 if not doing over 40mph when it's cold. I don't like the idea of a cold engine labouring, or are the higher revs doing it more harm?

An engine running light is much better than labouring. These were the words when running in was the norm.

This applies hot or cold and has always been that way. A small aircraft handbook makes good reading, after reading one of those you would never use the engine to slow you down, short of an emergency

 

[Parrot of Doom]

I never exceed 3000rpm until the engine is warm.

Although on twisty roads, I often use 4 or 3, because it means the gearbox is changing gear less often, and also because the balance of the vehicle is improved when heading into corners.

 

[daveenty]

I've been led to believe that low down torque causes more damage than most things.
I start mine, let it tick over for a few seconds and then take it extremely easy for the first few miles.

Then I reach the Motorway and it all goes wrong

This is how I do it *personally*...Not a recommendation

If mine is doing more than 2000 RPM though, I'm breaking the NSL on a motorway

 

[Blobcat]

I've been led to believe that low down torque causes more damage than most things.
I start mine, let it tick over for a few seconds and then take it extremely easy for the first few miles.

Then I reach the Motorway and it all goes wrong

This is how I do it *personally*...Not a recommendation

If mine is doing more than 2000 RPM though, I'm breaking the NSL on a motorway

If mine is doing more than ~1,600rpm it is breaking the NSL on a motorway

 

[jberks]

I've been led to believe that low down torque causes more damage than most things.
(

This would seem to go against the common logic of long lasting diesels where low revving is the norm. Makes sense really, every moving part has a certain number of rotations in it, increased by better lubrication (fully synth oil etc) and reduced by less. The higher the revs the shorter the life. As tolerances are far tighter than in the old days, I'd have thought that the key temp factor is the efficinecy of the lubrication. As lubricants are 'slower' and less effective when cold, I'd have gone for lower revs.
The reason ECUs keep revs higher for short period when cold, is for emmissions to warm the cat up faster, rather than anything to do with the engine.

 

[Socrates]

Higher revs (within reason) higher oil pressure, less wear; particularly from cold when the pressure is slightly lower than norm - its a no-brainer really.