Getting Oil Temp Before Getting on Interstate (135i)

[quicksilver3121]

This might be a silly question/ I'm over-thinking it. I live about 2-3 minutes from the interstate on-ramp, if I take the shortest route I'm jumping on the interstate with no oil temperature registering. I know you want to warm up a turbo a bit before letting the revs climb so I've been taking a different on-ramp which typically gets some minimal oil temp readings right before I'm cruising at 70+mph.

Is this really necessary? The car revs at about 2300RPM while on the interstate. I want to keep this thing for the long haul (bought it with 42k, currently has 47k) so I want to do everything I can to promote a long engine life.

I'm still pretty new to a performance vehicle, my previous car is a 2004 Chevy Cavalier which has been the most reliable and low maintenance thing ever. Any info is really appreciated!

[tock172]

I wouldn't be worried. My situation is very similar, and the 1-2 days a week I drive my 135i, the oil needle usually hasn't moved by the time I'm entering the freeway. As a rule of thumb, I keep the revs below 4k or so until the needle has approached the center before putting serious load on the engine or hitting high RPM. Depending on the outside air temp, it usually does not take long for the oil to reach operating temp while driving at freeway speeds.

[jkoral]

Same problem here. I try to follow Mike Miller's Old School Maintenance which has a few paragraphs about helping N54 turbos last longer and proper warm-up and cool-down procedures.

I try to keep the boost below 0 (vacuum) until I see (at least) 160 degrees F. Not always possible -- I always end up checking my max boost (P3) after merging on the highway when the engine is cold.

[MightyMouseTech]

Just don't hammer it getting on the highway. Steady highway cruising is the best way to warm up the engine IMHO. Less time it spends with cold oil the better.

[ShocknAwe]

Don't over think it. Try to keep it under 3-4k rpm until warm, but basically just don't WOT it until up to temp. Easy enough.

[6MT_Addict]

Originally Posted by ShocknAwe

Don't over think it. Try to keep it under 3-4k rpm until warm, but basically just don't WOT it until up to temp. Easy enough.

+1.

If you're super concerned, you can pick up an M3 cluster and get it coded to your car. The redline on this cluster moves from something like 3500-7500 as the engine goes from cold to hot. Expensive, but then you'll always know.