Hard/fast driving = hard/difficult starts later?

[Dimitrios]

OK, I guess the last couple of days I've been driving a little agressive; basically, revving like mad (no redline and nothing really extreme...maybe 4.5k shifts at most...). Whatever...basically, highway/interstate driving on the commute in the morning for like 10 miles. Not bad either way.

So, yesterday and today, I didn't go to lunch out anywhere (brought lunch), so I stayed in.

5 rolls around, time to leave. Took about 6-7 cranks to get the P5 started! :wtf: I says to myself I says...

Now, is it because I drive "hard" almost immediatelly before pulling into the parking lot (were like *righ* next to the offramp and interstate, so I go "low speed" for about 1/2 mile). Does shutting the engine off while it's been cooking for a while cause it issue later? I assumed it was the rain last night but tonight it was dry. I don't get this in the morning when starting after it sitting all night - then again, I usually take the "side streets" home (low speed, change of RPMS/gears, etc).

So...any thoughts?...I'll try to keep the variables low the next few days and replicate my driving style to see if that is actually it. Also, when I park, I usually don't just shut it off as soon as I come to a stop. I pull the handbrake, shut off the radio, turn off the heat, unbuckle belt...etc...about 1 min worth of "shutdown" activities. THEN, I turn it off - not like I have a turbo :rolleyes: (seriously, I don't...)

[Midnight22]

dont do cold starts, keep it easy while ur warming up, and let it idle for a lil bit after ur done, even NA cars need a cool down after a hard run, and finally, itz been getting cold lately, ur in chicago, so im sure u have noticed... cold means the battery loses charge or something, but during summer that will go away, no worries, just make sure u car has all it needs and u'll be fine...

[loccusst]

I've had this happen a couple of times in my other car. I think it helps to let the car sit and idle for a little bit. Not long maybe 5 min. When you are driving hard more fuel is getting shoved into the chambers. Maybe the fuel isn't getting spent and makes it a little harder to start. Not sure. It happens to me when i drive my usual fast and hard on the freeway and then drive about 3 miles at 35mph to my house. When I go out later to start it takes a little bit sometimes.

[KpaBap]

Your torque peaks around 5500 RPM.

If you want to drive "aggresively" you should wind it up at least that much.

Don't worry you won't throw a rod if you approach redline...

[Dimitrios]

Well, I don't even have 3 miles to drive after getting off the interstate.

I "do" let it warm up in the AM and whenever I am moving cold; trust me, I cringe every time I see the lady across the street just hop into her truck in the AM (esp. now in the winter) and just start it up and go...ugh! I want to slap her!

Anyway, I as far as driving aggressively goes, take that with a grain of salt. I'm not gonna bother with 5500; I'm in a rush, but 5 minutes of getting someplace later isn't going to cause me to loose sleep.

You can define "agressive" to your own terms.....

[KpaBap]

Lose sleep over what? Redlining your engine?

Seriously now...

I was just letting you know where peak power lies in your engine.

[Dimitrios]

Thanks

[Laser03pro]

Mine took awhile to start this moning also i dunno why kinda bothered me like maybe somethin was wrong. I know it is cold out n batterys lose some charge buts its a brand new car.

[Ceej]

Originally posted by Dimitrios
OK, I guess the last couple of days I've been driving a little agressive; basically, revving like mad (no redline and nothing really extreme...maybe 4.5k shifts at most...).

I don't see how that is "aggresive" in any way shape or form, any car that is running right should be able to take that kind of driving for a long, long time.

[Dimitrios]

Ceej.

I agree; it hasn't happened since, so I dunno what's going on. I've been having some weird stuff just pop up over the last two weeks since "cold" weather has settled in. Nothingt in over the weekend though.

[Ceej]

Originally posted by Dimitrios
Ceej.

I agree; it hasn't happened since, so I dunno what's going on. I've been having some weird stuff just pop up over the last two weeks since "cold" weather has settled in. Nothingt in over the weekend though.

hmmmmm dude, check your hoses and vac. lines, maybe something came off due to the extreme weather change?

Check your fluid levels, make sure that your anti freeze/water mixture is correct...

So far I have been lucky as far as cold weather, it went into the low teens last week and my P5 was as solid as a rock (knock on wood).

Cold weather is harsh on cars, make sure that everything is connected, and you are not pulling off to much power from the battery. (all obvious things I know).

Good luck man.

[Dimitrios]

Thanks. I took in for some other stuff on Friday (dealer). No problems; I looked and all the hoses and the like are OK (over the weekend before a road trip).

Not sure.....maybe it's all psychological (this is her first winter....awww...:) ).

[sabrelli]

ive had similiar probs with my car the past 3 weeks....

Sometimes it doesnt start after the first go or it kinda chuggers until it starts

Ive only done 12,000km, and its summer over here..

[jlanger]

Most studies show that warming the car up for more then 30 seconds wastes gas and causes more wear and tear on the engine. In fact driving helps warm the car faster, because the fluids in the tranny and such are moving more.
I usually start the car up, let the idle return to normal and go.

BTW 4500 isn't hard driving at all. I usually shift there (my car is goign to die an early death maybe, but at least I'll enjoy it) Now if you keep it at 4500 for 1/2 hour that might be a problem, even then it probably is just fine. There might be something else wrong, or maybe you're gas line froze a bit. When it gets below freezing it's a good idea to keep your tank as full as possible as the lines can freeze from condensation.

These cars are known for not liking cold weather for some reason. My contour never complained like the pros have. (then again the pro's didn't go into the shop every other month either!)

[MadBiker]

I'm no expert but I tend to agree with Midnightracer22 and locusst - after some hard driving, let the car cool down a bit by letting it idle for several minutes before turning the engine off. If you have unspent fuel in the engine it might be keeping your plugs wet when you try to start it up later.

If any of you've ridden a 2 stroke motorbike (or even a lawnmower), your plug can get easily covered with fuel and make starting hell...