Winter cold start

[shortyemi]

A quick question to anyone who has driven the V in the winter, does your engine get really loud when you cold start it? Mine knocks like crazy and even after a good 5 minutes of warming, the engine is still loud and needs to rev up to 2000 rpm to go 40 km. Normally, I just let it roll down the hill but pickup trucks and SUVs are vehicles of choice in my neighbourhood and I try to go a bit faster when they come tailgating me. Would longer warming time make a difference?

[BBISHOPPCM]

I do have some experience with this. I live up in the mountainous region of southern NH, and it gets mighty hold up here. Because Nissan has chosen to use solid lifters on their four-cylinder engines, the extra noise is expected when cold. I mentioned this designs drawbacks and benefits in great detail in a previous thread, but what it all comes down to is it is suggested that you let the car warm up for about 3 minutes before you take off. Ideally, you really shouldn't exceed 30 mph until the "cold engine" light has turned off, or until the temp gauge has begun to lift off its peg. This applies to all cars, not just Versas. Truthfully, nobody really does this. Not even me. I generally give the engine enough time to circulate the oil (30 seconds) and hit the ground running (at 45 mph). Is this bad for the engine? not really. Is it good? no. The key is to use a quality oil with enough zinc content to help cold start lubrication. I suggest using Mobil 1 or Mobil synthetic, or one of the higher quality performance oils (Amsoil, Purple Rain or whatever that Barney-colored oil is called).

You also mention difficulty attaining high speeds at low RPMs. This is because of two things;

1) The transmission (auto and CVT) are designed to prevent overdrive from kicking in until a minimum engine or fluid temperature is attained, because....

2) Internal combustion engines cannot produce full horsepower until the oil and internal components reach operating temperature.

[shortyemi]

Thanks for all the info, BBISHOPPCM. I was starting to worry about the engine being loud, it sounded like my mom's '91 maxima but I guess I won't have to worry. I think my mechanics use Castro on my last oil change...I think it should be okay.

[viet510racer]

yea ive heard that knocking sound is ur valve not operating properly and first start up so once 20 30 secs being on you should drive it so once it gets going it will correct the valve knocking and it will go away.