[Jimmy N.]

Its ok to start, but if you do let it run until it reaches operating temperature.

So what's the secret to getting the oil up to temp without driving?? Heck, I can barely get it warmed up a lot of times when driving, without going up a somewhat steep and long grade.

Unless by "operating temperature" you mean the relatively meaningless coolant temp.

 

[Jimmy N.]

Nah, I hate cold starts. Letting it sleep until it's time to actually driving it is so much easier.
And nicer to the car, I think.

 

[Jimmy N.]

Or any decent battery maintainer. Ideally with desulfation.

 

[Jimmy N.]

Wrong. The longer it sits, the longer the oil has dripped off everything and left mating surfaces.

So maybe I should start mine a couple of times a day, then?

 

[Jimmy N.]

I may have to rethink my storage strategy, as it seems too simple as is.

First, install a block heater and put one of those electric oil pan heaters underneath. Then hook up an electric oil pump so there's a constant flow of at least luke warm oil.

Of course, none of that does the water pump, fuel pump, etc. any good. Maybe the best would be to run a hose from one of my gas storage tanks and down the filler neck.That way I could leave it running the entire time it's being stored.

About the only drawback would be that engines don't like to idle for prolonged periods, but I could probably raise the rpm to about 1,200 or so, using AlfaOBD. Hopefully I'll have it figured out before next winter.

 

[Jimmy N.]

Yesterday I read about someone that took this to a whole new level, starting a pickup sitting outside daily.

And to make it even worse, a diesel pickup.

 

[Jimmy N.]

Use a winch to get it into an enclosed trailer, let the highly skilled techs push it up on the rack, then back into the trailer.

Oh, and ask them to keep the "old" oil for you.

 

[Jimmy N.]

Also, ultimately, it’s just a car

Wonder why thieves are so interested in them then. Should be much easier to find Camrys and KIAs to steal.

 

[Jimmy N.]

To prime- just pull the fuel relay in the trunk by the battery. Then crank it over for a bit, replace the relay and start the car.
Personally, I would rather start it every 2 or 3 weeks and let it run until it reaches operating temp.

Isn't it a lot easier to just hold the skinny pedal down? It has been for me.

Then again I only have to do it once, in the spring, since I wouldn't punish my favorite car (or even a rental) by cold starting it every two or three weeks for no reason.

 

[Jimmy N.]

As for driving, even a prolonged drive (~10+ miles) did not have my Scat Pack or my Hellcat up to temperature. But what I quickly found with these cars -- courtesy of Performance Pages -- was that both would get up to temperature, and then some, rather quickly just driving in town conditions. And from a dead cold start, too.

And therein lies my problem. It takes a 70-100 mile drive to get to a town, to get the oil up to temp.

Luckily there are nice roads much closer that climb about 2,500 feet in somewhat short distances. To me. that's a far more enjoyable way to get the oil up to temp than sitting in traffic.

 

[Jimmy N.]

In my experience, it isn't the elevation itself, or the amount of change, but how rapid that change is.

A typical interstate usually doesn't have more than 6% grades, if that. Definitely noticeable in a fully loaded tractor trailer, but not so much in a Challenger.

Thankfully the hills around here are often 10% or better, and even a Hellcat notices gaining altitude at that rate. It makes the engine actually work, resulting in warm(er) oil.

 

[Jimmy N.]

What about cars equipped with engine block heater? Does that bring engine oil up to temperature for a safe start and drive?

It'd help warm the fluids up faster, to a point, but if I'm driving when it's cool out they'll reach terminal temp and stay there.

Still, it would be a bit nicer to the engine to use the block heater since it would start at maybe 100 degrees instead of whatever it is in the garage.

 

[Jimmy N.]

That feature seems to be standard on at least anything with a 6.2, possibly with other engines, too.

 

[Jimmy N.]

I assume the Hellcat oil cooler is thermostatically controlled so what is the issue with warming up?

It sure doesn't seem to have a thermostat. I have yet to try blocking at least part of it, but one of these days I will.

I like to see at least about 180 degrees before stepping on it, or use higher rpms, and that just doesn't happen when driving normally if it's a cool day. Unless I go uphill.

 

[Jimmy N.]

It works.

 

[Jimmy N.]

Haven't checked, but maybe that's how the TRX's oil cooler works.

Either way, I've certainly noticed that the TRX warms the oil up much faster. Of course, in that case the engine has to deal with a fair amount of extra weight and somewhat dismal aerodynamics. As far as the engine is concerned, it must be like the Challenger always going uphill.

If/when the Durango shows up, I suspect it'll be about halfway between the 'Cat and the TRX. Better at heating the oil than the Trackhawk was, but not by much.

 

[Jimmy N.]

No

Then you may want to start it every eight hours, so it doesn't get cold.