S4 cold weather performance

[lostinnd]

So with winter looming, atleast up north where I am, I am looking at getting the S4 ready. We have alot of days up here with temps that stay below zero. Should I get some kind of oil pan heater to install or coolant heater? Do the S4s start well in the winter, I am Stage 2+ exhaust, fmic, GIAC chip, etc. I am thinking about getting a remote starter too.
Thanks,
Matt

[Rajan147]

snow tires a few minutes of warm up and deicer in the washer fluid, the s4 quattro can handle the rest.

Remote start would be a nice luxury, the compustar kits are especially nice.

[gointoscott]

I've had my S4 for 3 years and I lived in MN and now Milwaukee WI. So have seen plenty of winter time. I havnt had any problems in any of the temp's It has started every time.

Personally some kind of engine heater is good because its so much easier on the car when the oil is warmed up a bit. Last winter I remember seeing more then I wanted to see of guys posting having their turbo's blow from the cold weather. So that is another reason to get a engine heater, or build a garage

Regardless be sure and warm up the car/oil before getting into boost, but I'm sure you know this already.

[IamEzraM]

just let her warm up, the ecu knows the engine temps and compensates with more gas on start up, so give her 5mins to warm up, and don't go boosting until the oil temps are within normal operating range

[Tea Mandy]

Remote starters ftw!

I find these to be nice year round, both to use for A/C but also to give the engine a little time to warm up before jumping in it.

I certainly plan to put one in my S4, only there doesn't seem to be a bypass module available for their anti-theft system. May have to sacrifice a key.

[AudiSportB5S4]

see now, i've heard that starting your car and idling it to warm up in the winter is the worst thing for it since you don't want the cold oil flowing around the internals.... a tech at both bmw and audi told me best thing for your car in the winter is start it up, let the idle fall below 1,000 RPMs, then get going. maybe 30-45 seconds later and shift low but thats better for the car to warm the oil than letting it sit out. it makes sense if you think about it

[obviouspro]

see now, i've heard that starting your car and idling it to warm up in the winter is the worst thing for it since you don't want the cold oil flowing around the internals.... a tech at both bmw and audi told me best thing for your car in the winter is start it up, let the idle fall below 1,000 RPMs, then get going. maybe 30-45 seconds later and shift low but thats better for the car to warm the oil than letting it sit out. it makes sense if you think about it

Ya I always wait until the rpm's drop to normal ~800 rpm's, then drive easy until engine and oil temp is appropriate.

[highPSI-S4]

see now, i've heard that starting your car and idling it to warm up in the winter is the worst thing for it since you don't want the cold oil flowing around the internals.... a tech at both bmw and audi told me best thing for your car in the winter is start it up, let the idle fall below 1,000 RPMs, then get going. maybe 30-45 seconds later and shift low but thats better for the car to warm the oil than letting it sit out. it makes sense if you think about it

True. It also states that in the owners manual.

[torment]

see now, i've heard that starting your car and idling it to warm up in the winter is the worst thing for it since you don't want the cold oil flowing around the internals.... a tech at both bmw and audi told me best thing for your car in the winter is start it up, let the idle fall below 1,000 RPMs, then get going. maybe 30-45 seconds later and shift low but thats better for the car to warm the oil than letting it sit out. it makes sense if you think about it

Thats what I live by...you want to get all of the parts warm at the same time

[GramCracker]

you want to get all of the parts warm at the same time

That's what she said!

[AudiSportB5S4]

True. It also states that in the owners manual.

nice, yeah, i never got a manual with this dam car . but my old E36 M3 had the same instructions... i mean its common sense almost if you think about it... thats why i dont get car starters, but i guess if you dont care about the motor and more about a WARM ass then i guess haha

[torment]

That's what she said!

Oh you haha

[lostinnd]

Ya I am good about letting the oil warm up before going into boost and that makes sense. Frankly I do like having a warm car to get into especially with as cold as it gets here, maybe I will look into an oil pan heating pad.

Although I must say I have never heard of anyone having problems with remote starters and letting the vehicle warm up for a few minutes. I can't see this causing catastrophic engine damage, but I don't wanna be too hard on my turbos since I want them to last till next summer to replace them.

[AudiSportB5S4]

yeah i mean its not like your turbos are going to blow out of your exhaust just because you have the starter, but the mechanical standpoint being that you dont want cold oil flowing through the internals, so the quicker you get it warmer the better.... go for it though i mean 9/10 people dont want to shiver during the first few minutes of a drive but i will haha... i guess thats what happens when you put your priories car 1, me 2. lol

anyways, where do you find a oil pan heater?? i dont think i'd need one i mean i live in CT the winters are eh, hit or miss, not as cold as yours for sure

[VonPooper]

have family that lived in fargo..once saw an imola s4 summer of 03...can't be many of those around up there...prolly wasn't you tho.

[IamEzraM]

The manufacturer's recommendation is more for emissions control and just plain not wasting fuel. Fuel combustion is worse in colder engines because it uses a richer air/fuel mixture, plus emissions are worse because the catalytic converter performs less efficiently when it is cold. So it is true that 2-3, maybe even 5 mins if it's really cold, is a good warm-up period, then drive it gently until everything has had a chance to warm up.

The manufacturer wants to prevent those people who idle their car for 10mins or more, think it's all good to go hard, but don't realize that it's only your engine that's warm, and not your wheel bearings, transmission, steering, suspension, etc. Not to mention the wasted fuel due to your catalytic converters being colder, longer.