Aha! We knew it all along!!!!!

[Mike Arman <armanmik@n-jcenter.com>]

snip . . .

>I'm a Martian.
>
>- --
> Phil Payne

unsnip . . . <G>

(Please, no comments about my fine future career in the mass media, for
taking things somewhat out of context.)


Another item: Our new A-6 Avant owner who asks if she should warm it up
before tackling the hill near her home.

Yes, a little. I'd let it run about a minute, and then move off. Remember
that the transmission and other driveline parts are still cold, so be gentle.

The "Drive off at once" crowd is wrong - any internal combustion engine
needs to warm up so the various parts can assume their correct sizes
(expansion from heat) and correct running tolerances. The oil also needs to
warm up somewhat, since cold oil is much thicker than hot oil, and the
lubrication properties are not the same.

This is not as critical in newer cars as it was in older ones, and nowhere
near as critical as with air-cooled engines (which have larger
cold-clearances because the running temperature of air cooled engines
cannot usually be held as consistently as water cooled engines), but yes,
you should STILL warm it up a minute or so before you drive off, especially
if you live in a cold climate.

(In air cooled aircraft engines, you are cautioned not to apply full
(takeoff) power until the oil temperature gauge has at least moved off the
"cold" peg.)

You won't notice a difference at first, but after a few years of careful
treatment, both your engine and your wallet will thank you.

Another error is the misconception that driving off at once will reduce air
pollution. This is also wrong. Yes, cold engines are dirty, but which is
dirtier - a cold engine running at idle for 90 seconds (tiny throttle
opening, moving a little air) or a cold engine at 70 MPH, large throttle
opening, moving a LOT of air? Over the long term, letting your engine warm
up a little will create less pollution AND the engine will last much longer.

Yet another side benefit - wouldn't you like to make sure everything is
working correctly BEFORE you pull onto the freeway? If my car has had an
oil, water, Pentosin or brake fluid leak (what, an Audi that leaks???), I'd
prefer to find out about it in my driveway, not at 70 MPH on a limited
access highway.

Cars are NOT appliances - this isn't a refrigerator which you just plug in
and it runs for 15 years with no attention except opening and closing the
door, or like a television, which you just plug in and then simply stare at
for 15 years. Unfortunately, many people treat their cars EXACTLY the same
way as they treat their refrigerator or their TV, and they are totally
shocked and betrayed when the car stops, and costs them big bucks to fix.

Best Regards,

Mike Arman