Can You Drive with Low Engine Temperature?

[John]

It is not advisable to drive when the engine temperature is low. Here are the specific details: 1. After a car has been parked for an extended period, the engine oil inside has mostly drained back into the oil pan, and the oil film on the surfaces of the friction pairs in the engine is largely destroyed. At the moment of startup, friction generates relative motion, but the oil pump has not yet delivered oil to the friction surfaces in time. This results in dry friction on the surfaces of the friction pairs, causing the greatest wear on the engine during the cold start phase. 2. Since low engine temperature increases engine wear, there should be a warm-up process after a cold start. After starting the vehicle, allow the engine to idle at a higher speed automatically. Wait until the idle speed drops to the normal range (around 800 rpm) before driving. Until the engine temperature reaches the normal range, avoid exceeding 2,500 rpm, keep the engine load under 30%, and refrain from aggressive driving behaviors such as rapid acceleration or hard braking. 3. Only after the engine temperature reaches the normal range (80°C-90°C) should you drive normally.

[StReese]

It's okay to drive for a short time if the car's water temperature is low, but driving for a long time is not ideal. The engine consumes more fuel when running at low temperatures because combustion is incomplete, and the oil viscosity increases, reducing lubrication effectiveness, which causes additional wear on the engine internals. In such cases, I usually drive at low speed for a few minutes first, waiting for the temperature gauge needle to gradually rise to the middle position before accelerating normally. In winter, you need to be even more careful—if the water temperature doesn’t rise, the heater won’t work well, making it uncomfortably cold. If the water temperature still doesn’t reach 60°C after driving at low speed for a long time, the thermostat might be stuck, and you should have it checked at a repair shop.

[LeTanner]

Driving with low coolant temperature depends on the situation. It's definitely not advisable to go straight to high-speed driving after a cold start. I've tried accelerating when the temperature gauge shows blue, and the fuel consumption was about 30% higher than usual, with noticeably increased steering wheel vibration. It's best to warm up the car for a few dozen seconds before driving, and avoid exceeding 2000 RPM before the coolant temperature rises. If you notice abnormally low coolant temperature during regular use, first check if the coolant level is sufficient, then feel the temperature difference between the upper and lower radiator hoses. Last time my radiator was clogged, the temperature wouldn't rise, but it was fine after cleaning. Also, don't believe in idling fuel-injected cars for too long, as prolonged idling can lead to carbon buildup.

[DeLondon]

Driving with low coolant temperature is possible, but it causes significant damage to the vehicle. The engine's optimal operating temperature is 90°C. When the coolant temperature is low, friction between piston rings and cylinder walls increases, equivalent to dry grinding. Based on my own measurements, driving 10 kilometers at 50°C coolant temperature causes nearly double the wear compared to normal operating temperature. If the blue indicator light on the dashboard is illuminated when starting the car, drive gently and avoid sudden acceleration. If the temperature doesn't rise after driving 5 kilometers, it's likely due to a faulty thermostat or a stuck viscous fan clutch. This issue is less concerning in summer, but special attention should be paid during cold winters. It's best to warm up the engine for 1 minute before driving.